I’m worried about my son working 80 hours of overtime a month
14:41 JST, October 8, 2021
Dear Troubleshooter:
I am a homemaker in my 40s and I’m worried about my son, who is in his mid-20s.
He works very hard, which is fine, but he also works a lot of overtime. For months he has put in a lot of hours, I think he probably accumulates 80 hours of overtime.
Recently, my son has started saying, “I’m tired,” more often. I try to support him by paying attention to his meals and telling him to not push himself too hard.
Lately, however, he doesn’t talk to the family as much anymore. He has always been quiet and a man of few words, but now he seems more exhausted. My husband says that it’s “normal to work that much overtime,” but I don’t think that’s true.
I feel like the company is going to crush my son’s mind and body. I would prefer it if he just quit. Please let me know what advice I can give to my son and what I can do to help him.
— T, Tokyo
Dear Ms. T:
I became very worried after I read your letter. This is an issue that needs to be taken seriously if he is sometimes working 80 hours of overtime a month.
Working an average of more than 80 hours of overtime a month — two to six months prior to an illness — is thought to be strongly associated with brain disorders and heart disease, among other illnesses. Working 80 hours of overtime a month is called the “overtime death line.” Overtime is generally capped at 45 hours a month or 360 hours per year.
I am also concerned by your husband’s comment that it’s “normal to work that much overtime.” It sounds like something your son’s boss would say.
I’m sure you’re aware there have been cases in which people who work long hours end up suffering from extreme physical and mental fatigue, leading to a painful and sad outcome. One of the reasons behind this is because some people still think that it is good to work, even if you’re sacrificing sleep.
The fact that your son rarely speaks to you anymore is probably a sign that he has reached his physical and mental limit and is asking for help. I would advise him to refrain from working overtime. If it is unavoidable, I think it is OK for you to recommend that he quit.
You may also want to consider discussing the situation with the local government or another labor-related authority.
— Yoko Sanuki, lawyer
"Features" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
My Mother-in-Law Insists I Have Another Child
-
VR Guide Lets Visitors See Lost Scenes at Kofukuji Temple; Tourists Can Use Smartphones to View Original Architecture of Nara Pref. Complex
-
Cosplayers Enjoy Skiing, Snowboarding for Free at Ski Resort’s Opening Day on Mt. Fuji; Earliest Opening for Ski Resort This Season in Japan
-
Ukrainian Folk Dolls Tour Japan In Appeal For Peace; Last Show of 100 Motanka Opens Oct. 24 In Kamakura
-
Neko Pitcher
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Streaming Services Boost Anime Popularity Overseas; Former ‘Geeky’ Interest More Beloved Among Gen Z than 3 Major U.S. Sports
- G20 Sees Soft Landing for Global Economy; Leaders Pledge to Resist Protectionism as Trump Calls for Imported Goods Flat Tariff
- 2024 POLLS: Ruling Camp Likely to Win Lower House Majority
- Chinese Rights Lawyer’s Wife Seeks Support in Japan; Sophie Luo Calls for Beijing to Free Ding Jiaxi, Xu Zhiyong
- Chinese Social Media Still Full of Anti-Japanese Posts 1 Month After Boy’s Fatal Stabbing; Malicious Videos Gain Large Number of Views