## Overview

## Outline of Measures for Part-Time Working

In recent years, part-time workers have increased significantly and played essential roles in workplace. However, the treatment of part-time workers is not necessarily commensurate with their performance. It has been an issue to make part-time working attractive working styles so that part-time workers can exert their abilities effectively.

### Outline of the Act on Improvement, etc. of Employment Management for Part-Time Workers

Improving part-time workers' satisfaction, securing equal/balanced treatment comparing with that of regular workers, and promoting transformation to regular workers, etc. in order to create an employment environment for part-time workers to be able to effectively perform with their full abilities

1. Delivery of documents of working conditions and explanation obligation

(1) In addition to the obligation to deliver documents under the Labour Standards Act, business operators are also obliged to indicate clearly document on any increases in wages, retirement allowances, and bonuses (otherwise punishable by a civil fine) (Article 6)

(2) Upon request from part-time workers, business operators are obliged to explain to them for matters considered when making decisions concerning their treatment

2. Promotion of securing equal/balanced treatment (maintenance of the rule in which fair treatment is formulated according to achievements and contributions)

(1) With regard to all part-time workers, the business operator shall endeavor to ensure that the part-time workers' treatment is balanced with that of regular workers in terms of the decision of wages, the implementation of education and training, and the utilization of welfare facilities according to their various working conditions (Articles 9-11)

(2) With regard to part-time workers who should be treated equally with regular workers, the business operator shall not engage in discriminatory treatment (Article 8)

* "Part-time workers who should be treated equally with regular workers": Part-time workers whose job description and the system of the utilization of human resources are the equivalent to those of regular workers and who has concluded a labour contract without a definite period (including a fixed-term labour contract that is repeatedly renewed and is therefore reasonably deemed to be a labour contract without a definite period)

### 3. Promotion of transformation to regular workers

Business operators are obliged to take measures to promote their transformation to regular workers, including (i) when recruiting a regular worker making the position known to part-time workers, (ii) when newly assigning a regular worker providing part-time workers with the opportunity to apply for the position, and (iii) establishing examination systems for transformation to regular workers, etc. (Article 12)

4. Complaint handling/dispute resolution assistance

(1) Business operators are obliged to make efforts to achieve voluntary resolution of complaints (Article 19)

(2) Establishment of dispute resolution assistance and conciliation by the Director of the Prefectural Labour Bureau with regard to obligatory provisions (Article 20-24)