The Japanese are known for being some of the hardest-working people. During crises and wars, they refused to stop working, whether in the private or public sectors. However, the government eventually started forcing them to take vacations, which led to a cultural shift in Japanese society. Traditionally, refusing to take a vacation was seen as a sign of dedication to the nation or the company.
Despite several decades passing since these policies were introduced, a large percentage of employees still feel hesitant to take time off due to a sense of responsibility. The tendency to overwork remains prevalent. The average vacation for a Japanese government employee is 20 days per year. However, only about 60 percent to 70 percent of this time off is typically taken. In Kuwait, employees are entitled to 45 days of annual vacation. In the private sector, however, there is less inclination to take a full vacation, despite the government’s efforts to encourage a better work-life balance by allowing individuals to take extended time off.
Some employees opt to work from home during their vacation or take what is known as “silent leave” via email. Others choose to voluntarily visit the office to complete urgent or accumulated work. This has led several organizations to implement collective mandatory leave by closing offices, imposing half-day leave, sending employees on training courses, or encouraging them to participate in volunteer activities during their vacations. In Kuwait, it may seem logical to assume that reducing employee leave would increase productivity, which is already low. As a result, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) sought to implement the triple fingerprint system, which is unique globally, to monitor the commitment of public sector employees. While we support this decision, it highlights the lack of a moral deterrent and the absence of a commitment to the idea that “work is worship” among the majority of employees. For example, we often see strict adherence to duties during Ramadan, yet employees quickly leave the office after prayer to head home.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) had previously made amendments to the flawed leave purchase law, limiting this right to Kuwaiti workers with at least three years of service and allowing cash allowances to be disbursed only once every ten years. The law stipulates that the employee’s last three performance reports must be at least “Very Good,” and that the employee must have spent a minimum of three years in the same government agency, whether appointed or transferred, not just two years. Also, the employee must not have been subjected to any disciplinary penalties. The amendments reduced the employee’s right to accumulate vacation days from 180 to 90. It now requires employees to take at least 15 days of annual vacation, rather than leaving the decision up to the individual.
Compensation for unused vacation days, after 15 years of service, is capped at 70 days, down from the current 180 days. After 25 years of service, employees are entitled to 90 days, instead of 225 days, among other adjustments. It seems we are beginning to follow Japan’s lead in imposing mandatory vacation policies on employees! However, the reluctance of some employees to take vacations was not often due to a love of work or dedication, but because some had been taking vacations without officially registering them, with no one noticing! After the implementation of the triple fingerprint system, we witnessed a shift. Suddenly, taking vacation became essential for those who had previously enjoyed time off without applying for them.
By Ahmad alsarraf
email: [email protected]
