I actually know several instances of how company expects employees to sacrifice everything for the wellbeing of company and how company takes care of employees for life.
One example, during 2008 crisis, the company my friend was working for 20+ years already, was in trouble and didn't pay employees for almost a year. My friend continued to work for the company despite it being bankrupt and him not getting paid for so long.
Once company turnaround completed and came out of bankruptcy, owners not only made unpaid employees whole but has done much more for the employees that stuck around during bad times.
I find all these anecdotes interesting, but I'm not sure how much I can extrapolate from them.
I've worked in Japan, and seen the inside of a few Japanese companies. I've seen some weird stuff. I've worked in other countries too and I saw some pretty weird stuff in those companies too.
Thing is, I think there's a tendency too attribute weird things that happen in Japan to "Japanese culture" where-as sometimes it's really just a weird thing that happened...
I think that's less of a case perhaps in other countries, where you have a better understanding of the baseline culture.
I'd love to see more studies/data on what the average experience is like.
Nice anecdote, and I'm glad your friend was made whole (and then some), but this is crazy. I wonder how many times the same scenario has played out, and the company continued to spiral into bankruptcy. Separating emotion from $$$ is important for this exact reason. He owes the company nothing. Maybe I'm being overly cynical though...
I knew people with 25+ years just gone after 2008 dip.
Most people can't afford to be 'loyal'(especially for a year~) and have bills to pay/children to feed.
I've been to several factories/shops, and that 'loyalty' is quickly eroding. As worker wages stagnate while Management's increase. Management being under the squeeze of following Gov't Regulations and Outsourcing. So both sides are under this toxic stress.
One example, during 2008 crisis, the company my friend was working for 20+ years already, was in trouble and didn't pay employees for almost a year. My friend continued to work for the company despite it being bankrupt and him not getting paid for so long.
Once company turnaround completed and came out of bankruptcy, owners not only made unpaid employees whole but has done much more for the employees that stuck around during bad times.
The loyalty runs both ways.