Japanese firm tells workers: Drinks are on us

Me finks me shall maar move to Tokyo ...

Japanese firm tells workers: Drinks are on us
Tokyo, Japan - 04 March 2008

Boozing into the night might inhibit coherent speech, but a Japanese
company bets it will make workers communicate better. And it's even
willing to pay for it.

Japan General Estate said on Tuesday it is planning to dole out
thousands of dollars a month for its employees to go on the town in
a bid to help communication.

Japanese companies routinely offer generous expense accounts to
entertain clients, but the real estate company is going a step further
by subsidising workers' drinking sessions with one another.

The company plans to offer managers who supervise 20 or more people
up to 300 000 yen ($3 000) a month to take them out. Managers with
fewer than 20 workers will get 200 000 yen, a company statement said.

After-hours drinking is encouraged in Japanese corporate culture as a
way to break the ice in work environments that can be uptight and formal.

But critics say the pressure to drink is one of the reasons why Japan's
population is declining as men in particular spend little time at home.

Japan General Estate said the drinking benefits could alternatively be
used for wedding or funeral expenses.

The company is known for its unorthodox work policies, such as paying
100 000 yen in benefits to employees who do not smoke. -- AFP

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