▲ Salarymen in Tokyo
In Japan, a service that handles the procedures for a leave of absence on behalf of employees who find it difficult to communicate directly with their companies due to extreme workplace stress is spreading, the Sankei Shimbun reported on July 14.
This is a new phenomenon that has emerged following the rise of "resignation agencies."
According to the newspaper, a local law firm has seen related inquiries double since this spring, currently handling nearly 40 cases per month.
Most users are individuals who have reached their mental limits due to workplace conflicts and find it difficult to contact their companies directly.
This is because there is a high risk that conditions such as depression could worsen during the process of negotiating complex leave procedures with the company themselves.
The service is used not only by people in their 20s but also by middle managers in their 40s and 50s struggling with work and family caregiving, as well as public servants who find it easier to access institutional support and departmental transfers after returning to work.
However, leave of absence agencies require caution as the procedures are more complex than those for resignation.
While resignation can be handled through a unilateral notification, a leave of absence is subject to company regulations rather than a unified legal standard.
The agency handles administrative tasks such as conveying the intent to take leave and submitting medical certificates, while communicating and coordinating conditions with the company in accordance with internal regulations that are often difficult for outsiders to know.
However, using unlicensed private agencies carries significant legal risks, such as violations of the Attorney Act.
Experts advise that since more companies are refusing requests from private agencies, one should use services through licensed lawyers to ensure a safe process.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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