As with most things, Hyundai Motors takes a more hard-core approach. At the end of every month, the factory head and his team of managers host a different department to a meeting in a mokyoktang. Instead of drinking themselves under the table as they used to during their monthly meetings, the Hyundai men grab a quick meal and then head over to a public bathhouse, strip down and bathe together, talking shop and literally rubbing each others' backs. For most companies, that's a bit too close for comfort. But many salarymen make a habit of going alone, usually to unwind after a tough day at work, but mostly when they can't make it all the way home after a late night in the office.
Bathhouses are open around the clock and almost all have cable TVs and sleeping rooms.
Some saunas now even offer laundry and ironing services for these stragglers. At many companies, sauna visits can even be put on expense accounts. Global Infosys, an Internet consulting firm, for instance, hands out four sauna coupons every month to employees as a bonus. Some people come all the way from Japan to take a bath. I make sure to come whenever I can.