Question

Describe how hiring/firing practices of the United States and Japan differ.

Answer 1

In most of the workplaces in the US, the hiring and firing is very common as a routine practice. In many states, employment at will doctrine is in force, and it enables both parties ( employee and employer) to get out of enployment contract without assigning any reason to the other party. The employee and employer are mere partners out of necessity and share professional relationship between them. On contrary, Japan is a different kind of society. where employees are considered as a family and employer is expected to treat them like this. The relationship is far more than the employee - employer relationship, and employer is expected to take care of employees as a guardian. The employees reciprocate by showing loyalty, dedication and concern for employer, and being with him /her in thick and thin. Their relationship is much more than monetary relationship, just like a family. It is not uncommon to see an employee working for lifetime for a single company. Firing is not a norm until the employee has shown enough reasons for the same like involvement in corruption or other criminal activities.