A recent study conducted by Ephraim Global revealed that up to 75% of Japanese employees consider that their working lives are affected by longer hours spent at the office.

1. Ephraim Global Survey Shows Japanese Professionals Feel Compelled To Work Longer
Hours
Summary: A recent study conducted by Ephraim Global revealed that up to 75% of Japanese
employees consider that their working lives are affected by longer hours spent at the office.
Approximately three-quarters (74.6%) of the Japanese professionals that have participated in the
Ephraim Global Employee Pulse Survey 2015 have stated that they spend longer hours in the
office than they are contractually obliged to.
Hajime Fujiharu, Chief Operating Officer at Ephraim Global, commented: “It is not uncommon
among a dedicated and upwardly professional workforce that longer working hours are almost
the norm. Out those surveyed more than 50% have replied that they operate more efficiently
outside of their regular working hours, and there is a very good explanation for this occurrence:
as business meetings usually take place during normal office hours, employees prefer getting
more work done by working longer hours as they can evade day-to-day distractions and
concentrate on more important priorities and issues”.
On the other hand, up 72% of those questioned have replied that extra working hours are visibly
impacting their work-life balance, with the vast majority stating that they are not aware of any
plans to reduce this occurrence within their workplace. Also, 64.3% of the respondents have said
that they feel compelled or very compelled to work longer hours than what is stipulated in their
contracts.
Additionally, the results of the survey also reveal that more than half of businesses take this
aspect into consideration and offer their employees the opportunity to work flexible hours or
from home. “We believe that more businesses should introduce such practices within their
workplace in attempt to reduce the negative impact that longer working hours have on their
workforce which, in all probability, will translate into increased productivity” said Mr. Fujiharu.
As expected, the findings show that the individuals that work the longest hours are the ones
occupying senior and executive positions as well as individuals with ages ranging from 35 to 60,
and on average it would appear that men are working slightly longer hours than their female
counterparts. Commenting on this apparent gender discrepancy, Mr. Fujiharu stated: “While the
results seem to suggest that men work longer than women this can be easily explained by the fact
that there is a higher percentage of men occupying senior and executive roles.”
About Ephraim Global
Founded in 2005, Tokyo-based Ephraim Global is an international asset management
group serving clients around the world. The company offers a wide range of financial
advisory and planning services, bond and mutual funds, diversified asset portfolios,
pension plans and account management for private and institutional clients alike,
focusing on diversification, extensive research and a risk-aware investment approach.
Harumi Island Triton Square Office Tower, 1-8-12 Tower Z, Harumi, Chuo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.

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