We live our lives bound by rules. As a student, my teachers scolded me to comply with school regulations, which were Draconian by modern standards: "Skirt hems must reach down to within 5 cm above the knees," "Boys must shave their heads" and other meaninglessly strict school regulations were the rule rather than the exception.
As adults, are we free from oppressive rules? Far from it. While protecting our rights, laws also restrict our freedoms in myriad ways. Let's look at those that affect our workplace — so-called shū gyō kisoku work rules.
Shū gyō kisoku stipulate regulations for the workplace and working conditions, such as wages and work hours. Labor Standards Law Article 89 states that employers with 10 or more regular employees must draw up shū gyō kisoku. These must include start and end times, off days, wages, resignation and dismissal conditions, as well as severance allowance, sanctions and leave requirements, if such things exist.