Since the onset of the pandemic, the prevalence of telecommuting has significantly increased. Consequently, employees have increasingly embraced the advantages associated with flexible work arrangements. However, it is important to acknowledge that this shift has not been without its challenges. Many individuals have experienced feelings of isolation and heightened stress levels as a result of remote work. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that some employees have observed a decline in their creative contributions within this new work paradigm.
In recent times, a few Japanese startups have initiated a novel approach to address these challenges by implementing a system of incentives, in the form of bonuses, contingent upon employees' attendance in the workplace for a specific number of days.
These firms aspire to enhance their employees' mental well-being, foster a sense of camaraderie, and stimulate their capacity for innovation through the use of strategies that may involve presenting information in a more positive or appealing manner.
The provision of allowances may aim to achieve a delicate equilibrium between the advantages of telecommuting and the benefits derived from team members working in close proximity to one another. It seeks to strike a balance between suggesting the implementation of office hours twice a week and mandating their adherence.
Agileware, a company based in Osaka that specializes in project management solutions, implemented a policy in September wherein employees are remunerated with a daily sum of 2,000 yen (about $13) for their physical presence in the office. Furthermore, there is an additional remuneration of 500 yen for staff who engage in collective lunch outings.
There are two important conditions to consider: firstly, employees are required to be present in the workplace for a minimum of four hours per day, and secondly, they are eligible to get bonuses for a maximum of ten days during a given month.