Easy English News: Japanese Firms Block Unwanted Job Hops to Retain Talent

TOKYO — Businesses in Japan have initiated employment evaluations starting June 1 for graduates set to complete their universities in the spring of 2027. Certain companies are ceasing employee transfers unless approved by the employees themselves. They aim for this measure to assist in retaining skilled staff.

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Shifts in work environments and relocation policies have become significant not just for employees, but also for students seeking employment opportunities.

At the headquarters of Daiichi Life Insurance Company in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, students attended job interviews on June 1. There was no specific attire required. Some students dressed in formal wear, while others opted for casual shoes.

The organization will discontinue "transfers without permission" for administrative positions starting in fiscal 2027. It mentioned that job applications have increased approximately 20% compared to the previous year. Several students indicated that this policy adjustment was a factor in their decision to apply.

Sota Hosokawa, 21, a final-year student at Yokohama National University, stated, "I aim to embrace opportunities across the country while I am still young. However, in the years ahead, I might require more time for my family. I prefer to remain adaptable, as I also wish to continue progressing in my professional life."

Akiko Nagaya, who leads recruitment at Daiichi Life Group Inc., stated, "The finance sector has traditionally been seen as one that moves employees across the country. However, we must evolve to allow individuals to define their own career journeys."

Several businesses are modifying their transfer policies due to concerns that unnecessary relocations cause employees to quit, and complicate the recruitment process.

Daido Life Insurance Co. halted employee transfers without staff consent in April 2026 for those in managerial positions. These employees have the option to relocate across over 100 locations within Japan. The firm requested employees' preferred destinations. During the April restructuring, over 90% of career path workers were assigned one of their top three choices. Employees who actually relocating could receive as much as 150,000 yen.

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. introduced a new policy in fiscal year 2026. Employees can now continue working in the prefecture of their choice. The company aims to eliminate unnecessary job rotations and allow staff to shape their own professional journeys.

Additionally, in April 2026, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Company allowed employees to decide whether they would agree to job rotations. Some staff members mentioned that this policy simplifies future planning.

(Akihiro Kawakami's Japanese version, Tokyo City News Department)

Vocabulary

move: to be relocated from one location to another by an organization

assessment: an evaluation or examination used to select individuals

consent: agreement to something

uses: documents or digital applications submitted to apply for employment

financial: about money

sector: a part of the economy, such as automobiles or finance

Management path: a program designed for aspiring leaders

reassign: a shift in roles or locations

Firms Let Workers Start Later During World Cup: Bosses Relax Schedules

Companies throughout Britain will let exhausted employees arrive at work later than usual during the World Cup because they intend to view soccer games after midnight.

Fans from England and Scotland are getting ready to adjust their work schedules to remain awake until early morning hours to watch the competition, with matches starting as late as 2 AM in the UK.

Employees who wish to view the games taking place in the United States, Mexico and Canada they are allowed to exchange shifts, begin work later following major games, or compensate for the time missed.

Certain companies have already provided employees with a schedule of events, allowing for half-day bookings ahead of time, whereas others are displaying the matches on a screen in the workplace.

England start their campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 at 9pm UK time, followed by a match against Ghana in Boston on June 23 also at 9pm, and then face Panama in... New Jersey at 10 pm on June 27

Scotland will take on Haiti on June 14 at 2 am, followed by a match against Morocco on June 19 at 11 pm, both held in Boston; after which they will travel to Miami to compete against Brazil on June 24th at 11 PM.

An unconventional approach was taken by Paul Denley, CEO of Oakham Wealth Management based in London, who implemented a World Cup "ticket distribution" system for employees.

He told the Daily Mail, "Each person receives a small amount of electronic vouchers that they can redeem if they wish to watch a night game and then arrive at work slightly later the following day. The concept is straightforward: respect employees as grown-ups."

Major athletic competitions aren't frequent, and some adaptability can greatly boost spirits. Still, each competition requires officials.

Individuals who arrive not functioning properly following an evening of excessive drinking might be issued a yellow card. Those who repeatedly violate this rule could receive a red card and lose their remaining tickets. The majority of attendees act reasonably.

Granting staff some confidence usually leads them to respond with dedication and positive attitude. A little adaptability, a touch of humor, and some logical thinking are much more practical than acting as though no one watched the match late at night.

Samuel Mather-Holgate, the managing director of the Swindon-based consulting company Mather and Murray Financial, has also been thinking about ways to assist employees in viewing games.

He said to the Mail: "There is flexibility available regarding late matches, though considering England's present performance, this approach might not be necessary for much longer."

Staff have the flexibility to exchange shifts, begin work at a later hour following major games, or compensate for lost time reasonably. The objective is to maintain team spirit while ensuring the company doesn’t negatively impact efficiency.

For smaller companies, it revolves around trust rather than chaos. To be honest, if staff can handle additional hours, fines, and the country's emotional ups and downs, they likely deserve a more flexible beginning.

Supporters of the Three Lions are optimistic that their path will conclude with success on July 19, putting an end to six decades of disappointment and securing a World Cup victory for the first time since 1966.

Meanwhile, Scotland has secured qualification for their first World Cup since 1998, as they have failed to advance beyond the group phase in all eight of their prior participations.

An HR specialist named Kate Underwood said to the Daily Mail, "The World Cup is an event that causes even the most dependable worker to come up with imaginative reasons for not being at work, so successful small companies prepare for this in advance. A delayed start time should not result in a delayed employment termination."

Customers who get it correct aren't paying additional money. They allow individuals to begin work an hour later following a late-night event, exchanging shifts so supporters take over from one another, displaying the game on a monitor in the workplace, and distributing a schedule of matches so part-time days are arranged ahead of time and the roster remains free from unexpected issues.

Ms. Underwood, the creator of Southampton-based Kate Underwood HR and Training, stated: "Make sure you have the proper license to show games at work, otherwise your only penalty will be yourself."

Intelligent approaches provide flexibility for all, not only those passionate about sports, ensuring that even colleagues unfamiliar with rules like offside receive equal appreciation for their interests.

That’s how you avoid bitterness and maintain consistent productivity. Prohibiting it won’t encourage more effort. It only leads employees to secretly use their phones in the restroom. Be the manager who sits with them on the couch.

A different company broadening its remote work options as an effort to reduce employees taking time off the next day is the digital agency Pull the Pin, based in Birmingham.

The founder of the organization, Sam Hufton, said to BBC News: "Being an enthusiastic soccer supporter, I have made sure everyone knows that if they wish to view a match and begin slightly later, that's acceptable; our only request is that they remain honest about it."

Each person creates a rough weekly schedule indicating their start and end times for each day, ensuring the entire team is aware of everyone's availability.

Not all people are fans of soccer, yet many will be interested, particularly families looking for something to watch collectively. For anyone who decides to try it, my only hope is that they truly appreciate it.

A study conducted by YouGov revealed that over 50% of individuals in the UK who plan to follow the competition prefer watching games in real-time instead of viewing them at a later time.

As reported by BrightHR, an employer of human resources and absenteeism management software company, the day following England's initial game is the busiest day for bookings among those aged 60 and above during the competition.

The company predicts that businesses will spend over £94 million on sickness benefits throughout the event, with at least 3.6 million sick leave days being used.

England defeated New Zealand 1-0 in a pre-tournament exhibition match held in Tampa Bay on Saturday, followed by a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in an additional practice game yesterday in Orlando.

They will now get some downtime before heading to their competition headquarters in Kansas City.

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