Some Workers in Japan Who Want To Leave Their Jobs Are Paying a Startup To Tell Their Bosses That They Won't Be Back (japantimes.co.jp)

Stressed out, overworked, or just over it: Workers in Japan who want to leave their jobs -- but don't want to face the stress of quitting in person -- are paying a startup called Exit to tell their bosses that they won't be back. Local media reports: "Quitting jobs can be a soul-crushing hassle. We're here to provide a sense of relief by taking on that burden," said Toshiyuki Niino, co-founder of Senshi S, a startup he and childhood friend Yuichiro Okazaki launched last year. The company operates Exit, a service that relays an employee's intention to resign for a fee: $450 for full-time employees and $360 for part-time workers. Repeat clients get a $90 discount. Whether or not people consider that expensive depends on how desperate they are. But if business is any indication, many regard it as a worthy investment for some much-needed peace of mind. In the one year since Niino and Okazaki set up shop, they have mediated the resignations of roughly 700 to 800 clients from across the nation as the number of requests surge. Amid a tight job market and an improving economy, more workers are changing jobs, lured by higher salaries and fewer hours.

Comments

Re:I clearly don't identify with japanese workers.

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah they could shoot eachother a lot more or get in more Walmart fights, good point.

Re:I clearly don't identify with japanese workers.

[AmiMoJo]

It's because of so call "black companies". The take advantage of employees and flout the relatively weak labour laws. Japan has relied on social convention rather than the force of law, so black companies abuse that to their advantage.

When people try to quit they pile on the pressure. Guilt, threats to pass on costs, lies about contracts. So using a service to help quit is a bit like hiring a lawyer, only cheaper.

Re:MILLENIALS!

[Locke2005]

I've thought of that. Stop showing up, keep submitting time cards, and see how long it takes them to notice. And in at least one case, some guy got away with it for 7 years before anybody noticed. Unfortunately, I haven't tried it yet myself.