5th the fisrt comapny I belonged to
There are times when I keep having the same dream, which is about returning to the first company I worked for. I would like to talk about this company. This was over 20 years ago, and it was an import agency located in Chiba Prefecture.
I started working around the year 2000. At that time, it was called the "super employment ice age," and it became a social issue that new university graduates struggled to find jobs. I was one of those students who couldn’t find a job during my time at university. After graduating, I spent my days studying English and math at my university's library while diligently searching for employment. I constantly worried about how my life would turn out and what would happen to Japan in the future; each day was filled with anxiety. After April, I received several job offers from companies like talent agencies and recording studios, but I couldn’t come to an agreement on terms, conditions, or timing. In the end, I joined Company A. (I’d like to keep the specific company name private due to various reasons.)
In October, I was initially assigned to the General Affairs Department, where my tasks included checking invoices for incoming goods, preparing order forms for clients, and checking delivery slips for customers. I had some social experience from working part-time at a preparatory school during my university days for four years, but I found myself working 12-hour days, with no time to eat lunch, and it was an incredibly busy life. Two months later, I was transferred to the Sales Department, where things became even busier. It was then that the issues within Company A began to become apparent. Specifically, they were as follows:
◆ I was frequently yelled at by the president, directors, and supervisors, even in front of clients and colleagues. If I had done something wrong, I could step back and reflect, but often I was yelled at for nonsensical reasons.
◆ The Sales Manager and the president began to argue on either side of my desk.
◆ The president had extreme mood swings, and instructions changed from day to day.
◆ If I did something the president disagreed with, I could be casually transferred to another department.
◆ There was no training at all, and I was suddenly tasked with answering sales calls.
◆ There was no overtime pay.
◆ If I made a mistake, I would face salary deductions.
◆ The turnover rate was extremely high. It felt like for every new employee, one left. If we use the following calculation method, the annual turnover rate would be around 50%.
Turnover Rate = (Number of Departures ÷ Number of Employees) × 100 (%)
◆ The atmosphere in the company changed based on the president's mood on that day.
◆ On days when the president was absent, almost everyone left work on time.
◆ The internal atmosphere was very poor. If someone made a mistake, many employees would act as if it were someone else's fault for fear of salary deductions.
At that time, the term "black company" didn't exist. I also don't think the term "power harassment" was in common use. Because of the severe employment situation, I hesitated to quit even when I found things I disliked about the company. I managed to hold on for a year and a half, enduring as best as I could. Later, I moved to another company at the invitation of a client’s president. Although I experienced the harshness of that time and learned about organizational structures and management methods, I don’t wish to return to those days. Yet, I find it strange that I keep dreaming about returning to that company.
Finally, I want to offer some advice to young people looking for jobs. Around 2000, forums like 2channel and Job Change Review were not very well known, making it quite challenging to research the companies I might join. However, now you all have that ability. So, please make sure to use the internet to do your homework before accepting a job.