This Japanese company offers paid leave when employees feel sad over their idols
Every stan is well-aware of the emotional toll of grieving over your idols. So much so that a Japanese company is now offering paid bereavement days when their workers are grieving over their idols. You read that right.
It all stems from the Oshi Vacation System introduced by Tokyo media company Hiroro. With oshi translating to "support" in English, the new company policy allows employees to take up to 10 days bereavement leave when their favorite idol retires from showbiz, and up to three days if it’s just their lower-ranked idol.
Another 10 days off is applicable if an employee’s #1 idol is getting married, and the days can even be split from engagement announcement to the actual wedding ceremony.
The Vacation System isn’t just for the dark days of being a fan, as Hiroro employees can also use their leaves days to get off work early to watch their idol's surprise concerts or meet-and-greets.
The move started out as a courtesy when Hiroro’s president and founder Shizen Tsurumi noticed employees weren't working properly when faced with bad news from their idols. Tsurumi told them to take a free paid day off to mourn and cope with the news. The employees appreciated the support, and it eventually became official company policy.
With mental health being equal to physical health in mind, the company explains it best through their website: "I think that the most powerful thing to move people is the feeling of love for people and things. I always want to be a person who works for the people and things I like."
I think that the most powerful thing to move people is the feeling of love for people and things.
Hashtag goals.
Photo from Eutah Mizushima via Unsplash