TOKYO — A new study found that almost 90% of workers in Japan still feel worried about work even after they go home.
Read the full English article
Read the original Japanese article
The study was done by Juno Inc. and Daiki Sekiya from Tokyo Seitoku University. They talked to 253 workers about stress from their jobs.
Many people said their job is stressful because they must always show a nice, friendly face at work, even if they feel sad, tired, or not happy inside. Workers said this is difficult to do every day.
After they go home, many workers said they still worry a lot. They think about difficult things from their job again and again. For example, workers worry about angry customers, bad comments from their bosses, or negative talks with people at their workplace.
A young man working at a convenience store in Tokyo told his story. One day, about a year ago, a customer got angry at him and said loudly, “You are too slow!” The man said, “Even now, I cannot forget what he said. When I go home, I remember his words and feel sad again.”
Daiki Sekiya said, “When workers think about difficult things from their jobs again and again, it gives them more stress. Companies must help their workers feel safe. Workers need someone they can talk to about their worries and problems at work.”
Sekiya also gave advice for workers. “After work, you should do activities that make you happy and calm. For example, you can talk with friends, play sports, listen to music, or eat your favorite meal. These things will help you forget unhappy feelings about work and help you feel better again,” he said.
(Japanese original by Yuta Kumamoto, Digital News Group)
Vocabulary
worried: to feel unhappy and keep thinking about problems
stressful: something difficult that makes you feel worried or tired
boss: the person who tells you what work you should do
customers: people who buy things in shops or restaurants
safe: not in danger, free from worry
calm: quiet and relaxed
