FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About Harrassment

I am experiencing harassment. What should I do?

In dealing with harassment, it is essential to keep as detailed a record as possible. Record audio when you can, and if not, write down what happened with the date and time while it is still fresh in your memory.

I am experiencing harassment. What can the union do?

The Union can provide assistance in going through your collected evidence to identify discrepancies or contradictions between the company's treatment of you and other employees. If these harassments result in you being diagnosed with a mental condition, being placed on a PIP etc., then the Union can help to support you by exploring options to apply for Rousai(労災保険, Worker's compensation insurance) and/or discuss this during legal Collective Bargaining which is a communication channel available only for unions. That said, it is up to you as the individual to collect data and do other fact-finding processes, and the Union may not be able to gather documentation for you outside of what we already have. Please consider the Union as both a community to connect you to other employees with various experiences and knowledge and as an organization that can apply pressure to ensure employees and HR can have equal discussions.

I am worried about retaliation. Should I file a go/myconcern?

Filing a go/myconcern is the first step in making the company accountable for addressing the issue. It is recommended to file a go/myconcern as early as possible.

When doing so, be aware that the company may restrict access to the go/myconcern file for the reporter, so it is important to make a copy immediately after filing.

I need to take sick leave. What are my options and where can the Union help?

We haven’t observed any retaliation led by HR for taking sick leave. Your physical and mental health is important, especially when standing up against the company. If this is a rest you need to stay healthy, then you should take it. For salary information, please check the employee handbook.

Gathering evidence to prove that your mental illness was caused by work-related stress will expand your future options. If you would like to know about more detailed strategies, please consult with JAU.

About Mutual Separation Agreement (MSA)

I received MSA. I want to know all the options I have.

In Japan, strict conditions are imposed on forced dismissals, and among the cases consulted with the union, there has not been a single instance of forced dismissal. An MSA is voluntary and can be declined. Retaliation against individuals who refuse to accept voluntary retirement is also illegal. This includes harassment by assigning unreasonably low tasks or reducing bonuses beyond calculated formulas. However, unfortunately, the fact that these actions are illegal does not always prevent companies from engaging in them. Joining a union and notifying the company of your membership can serve as a deterrent to these illegal practices. So far, all union members who have lost their roles have been assigned appropriate new roles and are satisfied with them.
For consultation, please contact us.

Can the union negotiate the MSA?

In Japan, legal protections concerning retirement conditions are not very strong. Negotiating an increase in the retirement package through a union is challenging. If the explanation of the MSA (Mutual Separation Agreement) is illegal and coercive, and as a result, you suffer financial or mental harm, depending on the details, we can assist you in filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation. However, in many cases, the amount may not be substantial. Even if you do not intend to continue working at the company, if you are unsatisfied with the amount of the retirement package, it is recommended that you decline the MSA, stay with the company, and then resign voluntarily at a timing that is convenient and satisfactory for you.

I have received documented feedback/PIP started

The process at Google proceeds in the order of documented feedback, PIP, MSA, and termination. In Japan, the conditions for termination are strict, and simply failing a PIP is not a sufficient reason for dismissal. However, there have been cases where Google Japan has carried out unfair dismissals. To prevent unfair dismissal, it is recommended to join a union early. Record meetings and keep copies of PIP achievement conditions and achievement records.

I was experiencing harassment even before receiving MSA. This MSA is a result of the harassment, and I do not feel safe returning to my original team.

Harassment that took place before the retirement recommendation is treated as a separate issue, and it is difficult to claim that harassment after the recommendation is illegal. While it is possible to communicate your concerns to the company, it is generally best to consider them as two separate issues and address the harassment specifically as harassment.

About Joining Us

Will joining the union have a negative impact on performance evaluations and such?

Firstly, if you are worried, you are not obligated to notify the company that you have joined the union. Moreover, it is illegal to treat someone unfavorably because they joined a union. As of now, Google has not treated union members unfavorably.

Is there a financial burden associated with joining the union?

You will be asked to deposit a monthly union fee of 2,000 yen into the union account. Also, when you dispute with a lawyer introduced through the union and receive a substantial settlement, we ask for a voluntary donation to the union organization according to the feelings of gratitude for those who volunteered to help with the dispute.

Do I have to participate in union activities?

We ask all union members to attend the annual meeting once a year, or to submit a power of attorney. Participation in all other activities is voluntary, and there is no compulsion. In fact, there are many members who don’t participate in the association’s activities and remain with the association as if they were monthly supporters.

What are the benefits of joining the union?

The purpose of the union is to guarantee the right of workers to negotiate with the company. In the case of Google, there are two main benefits expected:Salary negotiation: The company has shown a cooperative attitude in explaining the decision-making process for the union members’ compensation amounts. For example, they have responded by showing data such as the average values for employees with similar attributes. You can request the disclosure of this data to verify if your salary has been set fairly, and if it has been unfairly reduced, you can demand an increase.Prevention of unfair treatment: Encouragement to resign and harassment are signs of potential adverse treatment. The company has been repeating illegal adverse treatments, such as poor evaluations, reductions in compensation, and forced disadvantageous transfers. By revealing that you are a union member and showing that you are prepared to contest any issues, the company becomes more cautious about treating you unfairly.As the number of union members increases, their influence over the company grows. With the data from many union members, it becomes possible to verify whether there are statistical differences based on gender or race. Let’s join forces to protect workers’ rights.

What kind of activities have you been doing so far?

So far, we have achieved two victories.We requested guidance from the Tokyo Labor Bureau for a violation of the maternity leave law regarding encouragements to resign targeted at employees on maternity or paternity leave, and with the support of a petition campaign, we secured a legal judgment against Google. As a result, there were no reports of employees on maternity or paternity leave being targeted in the layoffs of 2024.Regarding the company’s refusal to engage in collective bargaining, we have pursued a relief petition through the Labor Commission. As a result, the company has responded sincerely, including the disclosure of statistical data on how union members’ salaries are determined.Currently, we are demanding that employees who refuse resignation encouragements are not subjected to harassment or salary cuts, and that union activities are allowed to use company conference rooms and corporate accounts similar to club activities. A relief order from the relief petition has not yet been issued. If such an order is issued, it would significantly expand workers’ rights.

What kind of activities can I participate in if I join the union?

Union members participate in union activities in various ways, as they wish. Creating documents, reviewing websites, and back-office work such as accounting are all low-threshold tasks and are easy to start with. We are also considering conducting surveys on wages and improvements to the working environment in the future, so there will be opportunities for promotion and data collection work. You can also attend collective bargaining sessions and directly ask questions to the company. All these activities are voluntary and can be compared to the activities of ERGs.

What motivates the people who are involved in these activities?

The members are motivated by the desire to help their colleagues working at Alphabet and at other companies in the same industry. Expanding union activities leads to improvements in the working environment at the company and in the industry. Within the JMITU branches, there are companies where the working environment has greatly improved since the formation of the union. We believe that unions are organizations that mediate and improve communication between companies and workers, which can often become distorted. We believe that they can also benefit companies, and we work towards this goal.

There is a barrier to joining, but are there other ways to support you?

Yes, you can be monthly supporter, follow us on social media, sign our petitions, make donations.

I’m a manager. Can I join the union?

Yes, you can join. Even if you are a member of the Hiring Committee or Promotion Committee, you can join the union without any problems.

I’m not living in Japan. Can I join the union?

Unfortunately, only workers in Japan can join us. If you are Alphabet worker in US or in Canada, please refer to Alphabet Workers Union.

I’m not full time employee. Can I join?

Yes, you can join. Everyone working at Alphabet office can join no matter which company you belong to.

About Trial

How much and how long does a trial cost?

It takes about a year and a half until a result is reached, and if the company deliberately drags out the lawsuit, it can take up to 10 years. If you win the lawsuit, it is common for the company to pay damages to cover the wages that should have been paid during that period and the legal fees. Some people give up on reinstatement and just accept the settlement because of the employment gap that occurs, but there are indeed people who actually return to work. During the trial period, there is a burden of balancing lawsuit activities and work, but you can job hunt and work at another company. For more details, such as the time and cost burden of the lawsuit, please contact the email address below.Legal fees can range from approximately 300,000 yen to 1.5 million yen, depending on the case. Financial support may be available from unions or law firms, so we recommend consulting with us first. There are options available that involve minimal cost and time. Please refer to our activity report for more information. In either case, it is important to quickly express to the company your intent to rescind the agreement. Please contact the union first.

Page updated

Report abuse