No Overtime Day

In the 1980s, the U.S. was trying to figure out how to compete with the Japanese. Rather than try to make American products better and more competitive, which should have been the natural reaction, the U.S. government tried to beat up on Japan and force them to do things less well. One of the things the U.S. frequently focused on was the Japanese work ethic. If the Japanese only worked less, the thinking went, they would have more leisure time and spend more money, driving up domestic demand for both Japanese and foreign goods, and making the Japanese less dependent on exports. Right.

I don't know if Canon was listening or not, but it did have a huge market for cameras and copiers in the U.S. and was probably very sensitive to "Japan bashing," as it came to be known. Coincidence or not, Canon tried to make its own little contribution to increased leisure time for its employees. Every Wednesday was "No zangyo day" ("no overtime day").

Every day, at 5:15 p.m., a chime rang at Canon to let everyone know that the official work day was over. On Wednesdays, however, the chime was followed with the announcement, "Today is no zangyo day."

There was no admonishment to leave the office and no managers came around telling people they should go home. More importantly, the managers kept on working, and as long as they were there, none of their subordinates were going home. It was also telling that No Overtime Day was on a Wednesday, rather than a Friday, when people might really take advantage of it.

No Overtime Day was purely for show. Not once did I see any Canon employee leave at 5:15 p.m. on No Overtime Day.