Working hours
The Labor Standards Law stipulates that an employer shall not make an employee
work more than 8 hours per day, (allowing for a one hour break each day),
40 hours per week.
Breaks
The Labor Standards Law stipulates that an employer shall provide employees
with at least 45 minutes of break time when they work over 6 hours, and
1 hour of break time when they work over 8 hours.
Days-Off
The Labor Standards Law stipulates that an employer shall provide employees
with at least one day off per week. Alternately, an employer must provide
a minimum of four days off during each four-week period.
Paid leave
Aside from regular holidays, employees may take leave at any time. This
is called “paid leave”. For example, an employer shall grant annual paid
leave of ten working days, either consecutive or divided up into portions,
to employees who have been employed continuously for 6 months calculated
from the day of hiring. However, when the total working days or hours are
not equivalent to full-time work for 6 months, paid leave is less likely
to be provided. In addition, even if you are planning to take paid leave,
in the case where it is inconvenient for your company on that day, the company
is allowed to ask the employee to change the date. In that case, the employee
can take paid leave another day.
Thus, there are strict rules concerning working hours and breaks. Unfortunately,
there are many employers who do not follow these regulations. If you are
unhappy with how your company has acted, please consult the nearest labor
standards inspection office or the labor Union where you live.