Japan encourages firms to let workers take up side gigs

The Japanese government is encouraging companies to allow their workers to take up side gigs, reports Nikkei Asia.

Starting in July, the government will ask firms that restrict their employees from taking a second job to explain their reasons, hoping that such disclosure will help candidates find firms that are more open about side jobs. 

The government plans to encourage companies to publicly announce their stance on employees having second jobs on their websites so that such information will be available to investors and the public. 

The government also hopes that the move will help foster greater diversity in the country’s work practices and encourage talent to move into growth areas. 

However, companies that decline to provide such reasons will not face a penalty as the rule is not mandatory.

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Currently, government guidelines urge businesses to allow their workers to take up second jobs in principle. However, the majority of employers fear that letting their workers take up side gigs will lead to poor job performance.