Niigata trainee doctor found to have killed herself from overwork

As is the case with Takahashi, no marriage or chance of boosting the population for this woman.

"The family filed for workers' compensation last August after finding out from computer records that Kimoto worked 187 hours overtime per month on average and worked 251 hours in August 2015."

And she was employed by a hospital, you know, one of those places that delivers "health care." If hospitals are this bad, imagine what life is like on a factory floor in Japan.

This is so tragic! I have worked with people who started work from 7:30am and left the office at 2am just to show other workers "Look everyone, I'm working harder than person X!" Then it became like a competition to see who can work the longest. And some of them lived 45 mins-1 hour away. There should be a strict overtime pay law instilled in Japan where if someone works overtime, its automatically an additional 10,000 yen per 30 mins worked overtime. This law would greatly cut down on overtime deaths because no company would want anyone working later than they should.

And she was employed by a hospital, you know, one of those places that delivers "health care." If hospitals are this bad, imagine what life is like on a factory floor in Japan.

Good point JC

There should be a strict overtime pay law instilled in Japan where if someone works overtime, its automatically an additional 10,000 yen per 30 mins worked overtime. This law would greatly cut down on overtime deaths because no company would want anyone working later than they should.

I'll second that. Also for every saturday or sunday an employee has to come in, a 100,000 yen bonus must be paid for working that day. That way, there is no way except for the companies to give their employees time off.

Monthly overtime work of over 80 hours is considered a level that could increase the risk of karoshi or death from overwork.

Well, 80 hours is considered a level with higher risk of heart attack or stroke, but not suicide. I am skeptical if suicide should be included in "death from overwork".

The hospital argued Kimoto's monthly overtime work only amounted to 48 hours on average and said she may have stayed at the hospital beyond her normal hours not for work but to study and improve her skills, as such is a common practice among doctors.

Hmm, TBH 48 hours per month isn't that much, that's like 2 hours extra per day. So a standard 8 hour day + 2 overtime = 10 hours a day? I do about 10-11 per day as is and that seems fine and normal.. I don't think this should be counted as "karoshi", as it disrespects those who are driven to suicide after 120+ hours a month overtime

I do about 10-11 per day as is and that seems fine and normal..

Wow! Seems a lot to this individual. I mean, yes, of course, it's not karoshi and tragic and unlikely to make the headlines but still. That's a fair amount all the same; it all adds up.

Are you comfortable with the overtime, is it necessary?

You don't have to go into any specifics; am just curious. Am no stranger to long hours, just to add.

The only effective way to prevent the problem is to make it un-economic for the companies or organisations involved. sir_bentley & Aly agree with the principle of what you say.

dcog9065

I consider studying for one's job IN the workplace as "work". For example, why is it required for an employee to study for a job on his or her own time?- Is how I take it.

She was not a student but a trainee, more like an assistant. So, she had way more than 48 hours of overtime.