Why Are Japanese Workers Paying Agencies To Quit Their Jobs?

Employees in Japan often face immense pressure from their employers when attempting to resign, with some extreme cases involving resignation letters being torn up or workers being harassed to stay

In Japan, businesses have emerged specifically to assist employees in quitting their jobs. Companies like Exit and Albatross provide this unique service, aimed at alleviating the stress many Japanese workers face when trying to resign.

For a fee of around 20,000 yen (approximately ₹11,600), these firms take on the responsibility of notifying the employer, announcing the resignation and handling all the necessary formalities on behalf of the employee.

Employees in Japan often face immense pressure from their employers when attempting to resign, with some extreme cases involving resignation letters being torn up or workers being harassed to stay. This issue stems from difficult workplace environments, including challenging bosses, unpaid overtime and restrictions on using paid time off. In some instances, employers even demand legal negotiations before accepting an employee's resignation.

According to Exit co-founder Toshiyuki Niino, this stressful process is exacerbated by cultural factors, as "Japanese are not educated to debate and express opinions."

Some workers, unable to afford the cost of these quitting services, have even resorted to pretending to be representatives from such agencies in order to successfully resign. Interestingly, some Japanese companies have begun contacting these quitting agencies for potential referrals of newly unemployed workers.

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