49% of Japanese employees say they have an ‘old guy’ co-worker who doesn’t do any work: survey

June 7, 2022

In a survey conducted by a Japanese consulting business, half of 300 employees said there is "an old guy" who does not do any work at their respective companies.
When asked what the “old guy” is doing instead, most participants responded that they often take breaks, browse the internet and stare into space.
Almost half of the respondents believe that these men have no desire to work.
Participants also expressed that these men often bring low energy to the workplace and create more work for others.

A survey conducted by a consulting company found that 49.2% of respondents at Japanese companies have “old guys who do not work.”

Shikigaku, located in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, conducted a survey on April 27-28 asking 300 employees who work for companies with staffs of 300 or more, “Is there a old guy who doesn’t work’ in the company you work for?” Of all the respondents, including men and women between the ages 20 and 39, 49.2% agreed.

Those who agreed were then asked what the “non-working old guys” do at work. The top three answers included “many breaks for smoking and eating” with 49.7%, “staring off into space” with 47.7% and “talking wastefully” with 47.3%. Lastly, around 35.3% said “browsing the internet.”

When respondents were asked why they believed these men were not working, 45% stated that “they have no desire to work,” while 41% said that their “salary will increase even if [they] do not produce results.”

The survey also found that many respondents believe the “non-working old guys” have an adverse effect on their work environment: 60% stated that they decrease the morale for other employees, while 49% said that their own workload is increased.

Respondents were asked to share some of their most shocking experiences with the “old guy who does not work.” A 34-year-old woman said that one man went for a cigarette break for 30 minutes followed by another 30-minute restroom break. He then went for another cigarette break while stating that he did not have time for work.

“I only play mobile games,” a 37-year-old man said he heard one “old guy” say.

“I’m just talking wastefully and my hands aren’t moving,” another 30-year-old woman recalled hearing.

Featured Image via Pakutaso

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