Work Style Reforms: The Challenges on Campus

Abstract

  This study focuses on “Decent Work,” which is said to increase labor productivity, among Goal 8 of the SDGs. By clarifying what university faculty members mean by “Decent Work,” this study aims to make reforms in work styles more effective and efficient.

  In 2018, university faculty worked 2,565 hours. This is 49.32 hours per week in fulltime equivalent. This is longer than the hours worked by all workers in Japan. National, public, and private universities all saw a decrease in the percentage of time spent on research activities.

  University administrative staff work approximately two hours more per day than their scheduled work hours. This is equivalent to 67.14 days per year. Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, 71.5% of university staff has indicated that teleworking is a hindrance. This strongly suggests that there has been no progress at all in streamlining and streamlining operations.

  University courses are supported by a very large number of part-time lecturers. The percentage of classes taught by part-time lecturers is particularly high in the humanities and arts. A significant number of part-time lecturers are postdoctoral fellows.

  Regarding university staff, taking the library as an example, 51% of the staff are employed on a part-time basis. In addition, many operations are outsourced.

  We do not necessarily feel a sense of job satisfaction just because the environment is good. Some people also find “Decent Work” in the work itself. Decent Work is important when considering organizational management.

  We will clarify what “job comfort” and “Decent Work” are for university faculty and university staff based on a questionnaire survey.