ZeLo Law Firm Launches New Service to Support Problem Employee Management, PIP Optimization, and Voluntary Resignation Guidance – Alleviating Burden on Management and HR

ZeLo Law Firm (headquartered in Koto-ku, Tokyo; Managing Partner: Masataka Ogakawa) has launched the 'Organizational Performance Improvement and Problem Employee Response Support Service' to address challenges faced by startups often lagging in HR management and global or foreign-affiliated companies struggling with Japan's unique labor laws and judicial practices.

Experienced labor dispute lawyers provide comprehensive support—from ad-hoc responses such as reassignments, voluntary resignation guidance, and labor disputes, to appropriate design and implementation of PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans), and institutional design to prevent labor issues before they arise. We support the realization of organizational health and renewed growth based on proper procedures.

Organizational Performance Improvement and Problem Employee Response Support Service

Organizational Performance Improvement and Labor Risk Management—How Should Companies Address the Evolving Challenges of 'People and Organizations'?

As the business environment surrounding companies rapidly changes, ignoring employee misconduct or inappropriate management by supervisors may lead directly to decreased organizational productivity, talent attrition, and erosion of internal trust—potentially becoming critical issues.

Moreover, mishandling responses to employee misconduct or managerial mismanagement may not only escalate into legal disputes such as labor tribunals or lawsuits but also damage corporate reputation and significantly impact business operations.

Source: Based on the 'FY2023 Status of Individual Labor Dispute Resolution Systems' published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, compiled by our firm.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's 'FY2023 Status of Individual Labor Dispute Resolution Systems,' the most common consultation topics in civil individual labor disputes are 'bullying and harassment' by problematic employees or managers, followed by high rates of disputes arising during responses to problematic employees—such as 'dismissal,' 'voluntary resignation guidance,' and 'non-renewal of contracts.'

With the diversification of work styles and heightened compliance awareness, companies are now expected more than ever to implement 'legally sound procedures from the outset' and 'firm yet careful responses.'

Against this backdrop, an increasing number of companies are consulting specialists at an early stage regarding responses to problematic employees and harassment risk management. Our firm has seen a sharp rise in inquiries not only for post-incident dispute resolution but also for continuous labor support aimed at organizational health, leading us to strengthen our comprehensive support system to accompany companies at various stages.

Particularly, corporate executives and HR personnel frequently express the following concerns:

- For startups experiencing rapid growth: - Recruitment and fundraising take priority, causing HR management—such as personnel systems and harassment response—to lag behind. - With future IPOs and growth in mind, they wish to establish governance frameworks now.

- For global and foreign-affiliated companies: - They want to implement home-country management practices (e.g., PIPs) but are uncertain whether their approach is sufficiently cautious and compliant with Japan's unique labor laws and judicial precedents. - Despite intending to follow global policies, they face risks of claims for wrongful dismissal or forced resignation later, potentially escalating into prolonged labor tribunals or lawsuits.

ZeLo Law Firm’s labor-specialized legal team provides one-stop support—from initial legal risk assessment and on-the-ground guidance to representation in case of disputes—alleviating the burden on management and HR departments. We support organizational health based on proper procedures and sustainable corporate growth. Please feel free to consult us.

Features of the 'Organizational Performance Improvement and Problem Employee Response Support Service'

### Alleviating the Burden on Management and HR

In high-pressure situations such as determining response strategies, psychological stress during interviews, and handling resistance from employees, we act as external experts accompanying clients to reduce practical burdens.

### Support Grounded in Startup Realities

In startups, operational responses cannot be paused even if systems are underdeveloped.

Regardless of the maturity of existing systems, we prioritize practical, realistic, and actionable support that can be implemented on-site.

### Optimizing PIPs for Global and Foreign-Affiliated Companies

Lawyers well-versed in Japan’s unique labor laws and judicial practices support clients from PIP formulation through post-implementation phases, helping global and foreign-affiliated companies optimize their PIPs. We support the swift resolution of disputes that tend to become prolonged, preventing excessive costs.

Specific Services Offered

We provide one-stop support—from PIP design and implementation, harassment response, to exit strategies considering voluntary resignation and dismissal.

For more details on the 'Organizational Performance Improvement and Problem Employee Response Support Service,' please visit: Service Page: https://zelojapan.com/service/organizational-performance

Introduction of Key Lawyers

Our labor-specialized lawyers provide consistent support—from ad-hoc responses such as reassignments and resignation guidance, to appropriate design and implementation of PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans), and institutional design to prevent labor issues before they arise.

### Managing Partner: Takahiro Matsubara, Attorney at Law

Graduated from Waseda University Faculty of Law in 2006; completed graduate studies at Chuo University Law School in 2008; admitted to the bar in 2009 (Tokyo Bar Association). Joined ZeLo Law Firm in 2025 after working at Tora-no-mon Law & Economics Office, Nuclear Regulation Authority (primarily litigation), Iwata Joint Law Office, and HSBC. Main practice areas include general corporate law, litigation/dispute resolution, HR and labor law, the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, real estate, personal information protection, financial regulation (banking, insurance), and other regulatory compliance. Handles numerous domestic and international cases, including English-language contracts. Actively involved in writing (e.g., 'Civil Evidence Collection' in the Keiso Legal Practice Series) and bar association activities in litigation, demonstrating strong expertise in litigation.

<Comment> We frequently receive difficult practical consultations from management and HR regarding mid-career hires (including managers) who fail to meet performance expectations or repeatedly engage in problematic behavior, including how to communicate such issues. We provide practical advice to resolve these concerns. Additionally, in teams where managerial psychological safety is low and turnover is high, the manager’s everyday words and actions may be the root cause of performance issues. We offer multifaceted support, including root cause analysis and harassment prevention.

### Takanobu Ando, Attorney at Law

Graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo in 2016. Admitted to the bar in 2018 (First Tokyo Bar Association) and joined Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu in the same year. Completed LL.M. at Harvard Law School in 2025. Main practice areas include litigation/dispute resolution, general corporate law, M&A, HR and labor law, and startup/venture legal matters.

<Comment> For employees whose performance falls short, it is crucial to visualize the gap between company expectations and actual performance, provide appropriate support and guidance, and efficiently document the entire process. We will fully support you from practical operational design to documentation, aiming to improve overall organizational performance.

Announcement of Free Online Seminar

In conjunction with the launch of our new service, we will host a free labor law seminar focused on challenges faced by startups and foreign-affiliated companies.