(part time job or part-time employee)
Basic Definition:
In Japanese, there are couple of terms that are similar but used differently. アルバイト is a term that is usually used with students to mean a part-time job or a job to supplement income and not a main income source whereas パート usually refers to part-time employment (or less than 40 hours per week). A part-time employee is a worker who is employed for less than the standard full-time workweek, typically working fewer hours per week or fewer weeks per year. Part-time workers may be compensated on an hourly or salaried basis and may receive some benefits, but typically not to the same extent as full-time employees.
Usage Example:
“I have a part-time job at a convenience store 2 days a week.”
“I prefer to work as a part-time employee instead of working full-time.”
Synonyms:
seishain
Here are the key differences:
パート (Part-Time Employee):
- Working Hours: Part-time employees work fewer hours than full-time employees, which can vary widely but is generally less than 35 hours per week.
- Employment Status: Part-time employees are often on fixed-term or temporary contracts, providing less job security compared to full-time employees.
- Benefits: Part-time employees receive fewer benefits, which might include only some social insurance coverage, limited paid leave, and fewer or no bonuses.
- Promotion and Career Development: Opportunities for promotion and career development are typically limited for part-time employees. However, this is changing in some companies, such as Aeon Retail, which are starting to offer equal opportunities for promotion.
- Job Responsibilities: Part-time employees usually have more specific and limited job responsibilities, focusing on particular tasks or roles within the company.
正社員 “seishain” (Full-Time Employee):
- Working Hours: Typically, full-time employees work a standard number of hours per week, usually around 40 hours, which aligns with the conventional working hours in Japan.
- Employment Status: Full-time employees are often hired on permanent contracts, providing greater job security and stability.
- Benefits: Full-time employees receive comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, pension plans, bonuses, paid leave, and other company-specific perks
- Promotion and Career Development: Full-time employees have more opportunities for promotions, career advancement, and professional development.
- Job Responsibilities: They usually have more significant job responsibilities and a broader scope of work compared to part-time employees.
Legal and Practical Distinctions Legal Protections: Japanese labor law provides certain protections for both full-time and part-time employees, but full-time employees generally have more robust legal protections and entitlements.
Social Perception: Full-time employment is traditionally seen as more prestigious and stable in Japan, whereas part-time work is often viewed as less secure and more flexible, suitable for students, homemakers, or those seeking additional income.
Here is a video (in Japanese) from Nippon Television News talking about AEON, a large Japanese company that recently changed their company policy towards full and part time employees (English translation follows).
Aeon Retail, which operates the major supermarket chain Aeon, is starting a system that will equalize the salaries of full-time and part-time employees. This initiative has been welcomed by part-time workers from other companies. According to economic commentators, this trend might spread to other companies, providing more options for workers.
Promotion to Manager and Equal Bonuses
Yumiko Udoh, newscaster: “A new movement is emerging for those working in non-regular employment. From March, Aeon Retail, which operates the major supermarket chain Aeon, will introduce a system where full-time and part-time employees will have the same salary level.”
“Part-time employees will now be able to be promoted to positions like team leaders and managers, roles that were primarily reserved for full-time employees. They can even be promoted to section managers. Basic salary, bonuses, and retirement benefits will be on the same level as full-time employees performing the same duties.”
Izumi Oguri, NTV commentator: “Not everyone can qualify for this; conditions include working more than 120 hours a month and passing the same promotion exams as full-time employees. This is truly exceptional.”
“Aeon Retail employs about 73,000 part-time workers, making up 60% of its workforce. The new system was applied to 42 people who passed the exams last fall, with plans to increase this number by about 400 people annually.”
Positive Reactions from Part-Time Workers at Other Companies
When asked about this initiative, part-time workers from other companies responded positively: “I think it’s great that my skills would be recognized. It boosts my motivation to work” (woman in her 30s). “I think everyone wants this. Even if it’s just a 100 or 200 yen raise, I want it in my current workplace too” (woman in her 40s).
Yumiko Udoh, newscaster: “Everyone seems to have a strong desire for this kind of change.”
Two Points Highlighted by Experts
Izumi Oguri: “Keiichi Koya, an economic commentator, highly appreciates this initiative.”
“First, it could spread to other companies. The current common challenge is securing human resources, and without improving treatment disparities, companies may lose the competition.”
“Second, it increases options for workers. For instance, if someone wants to work long-term, they can become a full-time employee. If they want to adjust their working hours to fit their lifestyle, they can remain a part-time employee.”
Tsujii’s Perspective: A Sense of Satisfaction at Work
Asako Tsujii, Creative Director (Partner at “news zero”): “I think it’s strange that wages differ depending on employment type when the job content is the same. This creates a sense of division between full-time employees and others in the same workplace.”
“There’s no inherent superiority or inferiority in employment types. Equal treatment for equal work allows for mutual respect and motivation among workers, making this a good initiative.”
Yumiko Udoh, newscaster: “I hope such movements in the private sector spread more. The government needs to review tax and pension ‘barriers’ early this year to support these changes.