Workplace Relationships

[Maneki Neko]

What do you think of workplace relationships in a Japanese organization: superior - subordinate, sempai - kouhai, peer - peer and other such relationships? Please share your experiences and stories here. :)

[Wigent]

I noticed that the Japanese workplace has been an extension of their schools. There is still the sempai-kouhai (senior-junior) relationship, "grouping" and bully-victim relationships.

[dcharmed1]

Wigent, kumabog ang puso ko sa pinost mo. Parang seniority based pala ito? Is it hard to make friends if you're a newbie?

[Wigent]

Ang alam ko talaga by seniority ang promotion sa kanila lalo na nung bago nag-burst ang bubble economy. Di lang ako sure ngayon. Kapag newbie ka siguro yung mga ka-batch mo sa company ang dapat mong kaibiganin. Parang sa school, yung mga ka-year mo ang friends mo madalas at hindi yung upper o lower batches.

[rockylee]

Ang alam ko talaga by seniority ang promotion sa kanila lalo na nung bago nag-burst ang bubble economy. Di lang ako sure ngayon. Kapag newbie ka siguro yung mga ka-batch mo sa company ang dapat mong kaibiganin. Parang sa school, yung mga ka-year mo ang friends mo madalas at hindi yung upper o lower batches.

parang same lang din dito kaya lang kasi sa kanila, more on professionalism sila rather than camaraderie-ism. it is a part of their culture kasi eh...that's why...

[Tuknoy]

Depends din.. Corporate workplaces is similar sa atin in the way na may 'po' or 'opo', 'sir', 'maam'. All translated into -san and -kun and all that.

For some, however.. parang pamilya. Not in a good way.. parang pamilya kasi it's all they have. No wife, no child.. OR kung meron, una pa din ang company. Not always, though.

For them, what you do and what you provide to the company is what defines your identity.

[unclelooi]

Depends din.. Corporate workplaces is similar sa atin in the way na may 'po' or 'opo', 'sir', 'maam'. All translated into -san and -kun and all that.

For some, however.. parang pamilya. Not in a good way.. parang pamilya kasi it's all they have. No wife, no child.. OR kung meron, una pa din ang company. Not always, though.

For them, what you do and what you provide to the company is what defines your identity.

I worked on contract basic for 2 years with a Japanese company based in Malaysia. I've learnt much from this exposure that is something very new to me. Nonetheless, it was a challenging task as a Manager/Engineer. I fully agree with what u mentioned above. The most important key points in their work culture is based on the following:
1.) Seiri (Sort)
2.) Seito (Set in Order)
3.) Seiso (Shine - keep very clean)
4.) Seiketsu (Standardize)
5.) Shitsuke (Sustain - keep it ongoing)
This are the 5-S system. Another newly added:
6.) Anzen (Safety)
It is a good system, not easy to follow but possible if u put your heart to it.
Yes, they have a tendency to have frequent meetings and yes, senority plays
a very important place in their daily work. Oh one thing more, they like to 'shout'!
Enjoy your work in a Japanese company.

[Maneki Neko]

I suppose one will have to get used to the 'shouting' and not take it personally :D

[shoujo_jen]

Correct me if I'm wrong but...it sounds to me like its a lot like working in the military....

[Maneki Neko]

Similar maybe -- the military people also don't take shouting too personally :D

[shoujo_jen]

Similar maybe -- the military people also don't take shouting too personally :D


LOL! Yup! Ang tawag nyan dito bull-out...at normal na yan..:D

[ryuchi]

Di pa pala ako nagpost sa thread na to. Hahaha! Sige, next time, kwento ko experience ko nung nasa Japanese company pa ako nag work. xD