workplacetrends

🇯🇵 49% of Japanese Companies Have an “Old Man Who Does Nothing”

In Japan, the term “madogiwa-zoku” refers to older employees who remain on the payroll with little or no real responsibilities—often as a gesture of respect or to avoid pushing them into early retirement.

A recent survey revealed that nearly half of Japanese companies maintain such roles, usually assigned to senior staff in their late fifties or sixties, enabling them to stay employed until the official retirement age while contributing only minimally to daily operations.

Though sometimes criticized as inefficient, these positions are also seen as a cultural practice tied to loyalty, respect for seniority, and preservation of harmony within traditional corporate structures.

💡 Would you keep an ‘old man who does nothing’ on your team, or is it just wasted payroll?


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