National Guidelines in Japan - Part-time Work

The Ministry administers the following policy  relevant to part-time work:

Under article 5 of the Part-Time Work Law, the Minister is required to formulate a "basic policy plan" for the promotion, management and human resource development of part-time workers. "Guidelines for Employers on Improving the Management of Part-time Workers" were also issued under this law.

Under the guidelines, in the absence of a contract of employment or established office regulations, employers should issue a "written notice of engagement" setting out working conditions of part-time workers at the time of hiring. If 10 or more part-time workers are regularly employed, the employer should prepare office regulations for part-time workers and in preparing or changing the regulations, employers should hear the views of the representatives of the majority of part-timers. There are also guidelines about changing the working hours or days of part-time workers, and for a 30 day notice period for part-time workers who have been employed continuously for more than a year. Part-time work for older persons is also promoted by the guidelines. Also, in filling full-time jobs, preferential treatment should be given to an existing part-time worker engaged in the same duties who wishes to be employed full-time. Employers should endeavour to give equal treatment to part-time workers who work hours akin to full-time workers.