Interview with a national civil servant (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Please give me an overview of your work
We are providing international cooperation in science and technology, such as bridging with research institutes in countries where science and technology are developing.
Before Corona, I sometimes went on business trips abroad and exchanged opinions.
Please tell me if there is any change in working style in "work style reform"
Some people who have small children or who are caring for them have a flextime system. However, I think that the number of users is still small compared to private companies.In that respect, Private companies may be able to respond more flexibly. I think.
However, I think that business efficiency is improving . This is because civil servants often work overtime, and more and more people quit because they do not have the compensation for their work.
That's why the term work-life balance began to spread four to five years ago. Now, efforts are being made to reduce waste, such as not having meetings in the evening.
Please tell me if there is any change in the way you work today
Due to the influence of COVID-19 , remote work has increased. I never did it before, but now I go 3-4 days a week. This is a dramatic change. I think it's easier to take personal time because I don't have to commute to work.
However、Although it is a good impression overall, some people say that the computer and internet environment are bad, and remote work has reduced efficiency.
However, even if the coronavirus converges, remote work will remain, though not as much as it does now. I think it's great to know that you can actually work with remote work through Corona. I think.
Also, I don't really feel the impact of ICT. You can read emails on your mobile phone, and there are online meetings.
Please tell us if there is any change in the way discrimination and harassment are perceived.
I think harassment has changed a lot. A consultation desk has been created, and awareness is higher than before, and if it does occur, the atmosphere is such that we will take strict measures.
Unless it is a company where everyone can work comfortably, human resources will not gather , so I think this kind of movement is important.
Did you know about the childcare / nursing care leave system?
Have you ever used it?
I have taken childcare leave. I consulted with my boss, made a vacation income plan, and used it .
While I was on vacation, the company hired a substitute, so I was not contacted for work at all and was able to take a complete vacation .
After all, it is mostly used by women, but recently, men are also trying to use it for at least one month. This is based on the idea that if you want this system to spread to civilians, start with civil servants .
What do you think about the future of this profession?
I don't think it will be replaced by AI.
I often meet people, think about them, and discuss them, so it's unlikely that I'll let a machine do that.
However, interpreters may become AI as technology develops. But that doesn't mean you don't have to learn a foreign language. Language is also one of the cultures.
Please let us know if you have any suggestions or ideas for a better way of working.
I think it is important for both the company and myself to think about how to work that makes the best use of individual abilities and personalities. In addition, I think it would be best if everyone could cooperate well, without the so-called power harassment that imposes on one person.
Also,There should be no death from overwork . There is no point in working if you die. I think it is a problem in Japanese society that this kind of thing happens.
I've been in Norway before, but in Norway, it's normal to come home on time . At the root of this is the idea of emphasizing private life, such as family members. Compared to other countries, I think Japan's death from overwork is a problem.
summarize
・ Impression that private companies are more flexible than civil servants
・ Although there are pros and cons, it is great to know that it can actually be operated by remote work due to the corona disaster.
・ If it is not a company where everyone can work comfortably, human resources will not gather.
・ Death from overwork is a problem of Japanese society and should be solved.
・ Although there are pros and cons, it is great to know that it can actually be operated by remote work due to the corona disaster.
・ If it is not a company where everyone can work comfortably, human resources will not gather.
・ Death from overwork is a problem of Japanese society and should be solved.
