Young people in Japan are turning to “resignation agents” to help them quit jobs, tackle psychological tricks by management and avoid the deduction of wages.
The country’s declining population complicates hiring and firing, especially for younger workers.
Some companies resort to extreme measures such as psychological manipulation, wage deductions and moral coercion to retain employees who want to quit.
Staff who submit resignations often face bullying, with some employers even going as far as ripping up resignation letters.
Such situations have fuelled the growth of “resignation agencies,” which first emerged in 2017.
One Tokyo-based resignation agency has revealed some cases they have handled.
In one, an employer refused to pay an employee’s salary after their resignation was submitted.
The agency intervened and informed the employer that withholding someone’s salary was illegal.
At this point, the employer changed tactics and claimed “losses due to the sudden resignation” and “demanding compensation for the job vacancy.”
Another case involved severe intimidation tactics.
After resigning, an employee was threatened by their boss who suggested they buy life insurance and commit suicide.
“The boss has 20,000 followers on TikTok. His behaviour and appearance in his videos gave me the impression that without a resignation agent, employees would never leave the company,” the staff member said.
Such agencies often collaborate with law firms and labour associations to ensure legal compliance and the effective management of disputes.
The cost of services provided by resignation agencies ranges from 25,000 to 50,000 yen (US$160 to US$320), but in some cases, depending on how the staff are engaged, prices can be as little as 12,000 yen.
The idea has struck a chord with young Chinese workers.
In March, Chinese blogger Li Zongheng posted a video on Douyin featuring a “reversed” future where new graduates are no longer at the mercy of employers to find a job.
Instead, they interview the bosses and choose employers based on their performance.
Li’s video received more than 5 million likes.
People on mainland social media also latched onto the development in Japan with one person saying: “Please, turn this into a Japanese drama and export it to the Chinese internet.”
While another added: “This is why many countries do not dare to improve social welfare.
“With basic security, people have more confidence and the desire to work like a horse greatly decreases. How would capitalists afford new luxury cars and yachts then?”
If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page.
