Survey of 1,500 Temporary Workers on 'Pre- and Post-Employment Gaps': 73% Experience 'Negative Gaps,' 46% Experience 'Positive Gaps,' with 'Job Content' and 'Workplace Atmosphere' as Key Factors

en-japan inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Chairman and President: Michikatsu Ochi) conducted a survey on 'pre- and post-employment gaps' on its temporary staffing information site 'en haken' (https://haken.en-japan.com/), one of the largest in Japan, and received responses from 1,531 individuals. The following is a summary of the results.

Summary of Results

73% responded that they have 'experienced a negative gap' before and after employment. The top 3 points of the gap were 'job content,' 'workplace atmosphere,' and 'post-onboarding support.'

46% responded that they have 'experienced a positive gap' before and after employment. The top 3 points of the gap were 'workplace atmosphere,' 'job content,' and 'hourly wage/salary.'

Many people emphasize the importance of 'always confirming any questions or uncertainties before starting' to ensure employment without gaps.

Detailed Survey Results

1: 73% have 'experienced a negative gap' before and after employment. The top 3 points of the gap were 'job content,' 'workplace atmosphere,' and 'post-onboarding support.' (Figures 1, 2)

When asked if they had experienced a 'negative gap' before and after employment, 73% answered 'yes.' For those who had, the top 3 points of the gap were 'job content' (54%), 'workplace atmosphere' (41%), and 'post-onboarding support' (27%). Specific episodes are also introduced.

[Figure 1] Have you ever experienced a 'negative gap' before and after employment, such as the situation being different from what you heard in interviews or imagined from job postings?

[Figure 2] For those who answered 'yes' to experiencing a 'negative gap' before and after employment: What points did you find a gap in? (Multiple answers allowed)

Q. Please specify the details of the 'negative gap.'

▼ For those who answered 'job content':

・When I asked someone actually working there during a workplace tour about the job description, I found that more work was required than what was stated. (Female, 20s)

・The job posting said it was a simple job anyone could do, but it was actually a job that required study, with specialized terms being used frequently. (Female, 40s)

・I had received a reasonably clear explanation of the job duties, but in reality, the proportion of other tasks was much larger than expected, and I felt a gap in the job content. (Male, 40s)

▼ For those who answered 'workplace atmosphere':

・To put it nicely, it was a friendly atmosphere, but to put it badly, you felt alienated if you couldn't get into the cliques. I was told about the dress code (no nails, piercings, etc.) after I got the job. (Male, 20s)

・The workplace tour seemed friendly, but when I actually started, the atmosphere was tense. (Female, 30s)

・The atmosphere in the office was not good, and I was in an environment where I couldn't even talk about work. (Female, 40s)

▼ For those who answered 'post-onboarding support':

・The employee who was supposed to teach me the work was often away from their desk due to their own busy schedule, and there were many times I couldn't ask questions even when I wanted to. (Female, 30s)

・I was told there would be new employee training and education, but when I started, the atmosphere was more like 'learn by watching.' Also, I was assigned more work than I was told I would be. (Female, 30s)

・I was not taught the handover details and was just thrown into it. I immediately told my coordinator honestly and took a different job. I realized that continuing to endure a situation where the contract and my skills were completely mismatched would not lead to a good outcome for either party, so a quick report and decision were necessary. (Female, 40s)

2: 46% have 'experienced a positive gap' before and after employment. The top 3 points of the gap were 'workplace atmosphere,' 'job content,' and 'hourly wage/salary.' (Figures 3, 4)

When asked if they had experienced a 'positive gap' before and after employment, 46% answered 'yes.' For those who had, the top 3 points of the gap were 'workplace atmosphere' (48%), 'job content' (25%), and 'hourly wage/salary' (16%). Specific episodes are also introduced.

[Figure 3] Have you ever experienced a 'positive gap' before and after employment, such as the actual situation being better than you had imagined?

[Figure 4] For those who answered 'yes' to experiencing a 'positive gap' before and after employment: What points did you find a gap in? (Multiple answers allowed)

Q. Please specify the details of the 'positive gap.'

▼ For those who answered 'workplace atmosphere':

・During the workplace tour, the atmosphere was quiet and I was nervous, but when I actually started working, I could have conversations moderately, and the interpersonal relationships were very stable. (Female, 30s)

・Contrary to what I heard during the interview, once the work started, everyone's expressions softened, and my nervousness gradually eased. They were also considerate about the workload not being excessive, so I could work with peace of mind. Also, when I had to leave early or take a day off due to my child's illness, I felt bad, but they understood the situation and I was not mentally blamed. I was able to continue working without feeling uncomfortable the following days. (Female, 40s)

・I imagined it would be a stiff atmosphere, but when I started working, the senior employees were very kind, and it was very easy to work. The instructions for tasks were clear, and my work efficiency improved. Also, they appreciated the results of my work, and I felt a sense of fulfillment. (Female, 40s)

▼ For those who answered 'job content':

・The position was advertised as general administrative work, but I was able to get involved in much deeper aspects, and it was a rewarding job. (Female, 20s)

・They gradually entrusted me with more work and gave me responsibility for the tasks I was in charge of. Even when I had to work late due to a sudden change in direction requiring document creation, the people around me had a team-oriented attitude towards problem-solving, and it was very enjoyable to work with them. (Female, 40s)

・I have more discretion than I imagined, and there are many opportunities to use my past experience, so I feel a sense of fulfillment and growth every day. Everyone treats me without discrimination, even though I'm a temporary employee, so I can concentrate on my work without unnecessary worries. (Female, 40s)

▼ For those who answered 'hourly wage/salary':

・There were bonuses and raises. (Female, 20s)

・They agreed to negotiate a raise several times, and I was very happy when they increased it. It was a department with many foreigners, so it was easy to take days off and work from home, and there was no overtime. (Female, 30s)

・My hourly wage increased in less than a year. Outside of busy periods, leaving on time was not a problem. (Male, 40s)

3: Many people emphasize the importance of 'always confirming any questions or uncertainties before starting' to ensure employment without gaps. (Figure 5)

When asked what they think is effective for ensuring employment without gaps, the most common answer was 'always confirming any questions or uncertainties before starting' (60%). This was followed by 'accurately communicating one's desired job content and work style' (55%) and 'visiting the workplace or observing the employees' (54%).

We also introduce what people want to know from job postings to prevent pre- and post-employment gaps.

[Figure 5] What do you think is effective for ensuring employment without gaps? (Multiple answers allowed)

Q. Please specify what you would like to know from job postings to prevent pre- and post-employment gaps.

▼ Regarding 'job content':

・Workload (monthly workload, daily workload, daily schedule), reason for the job opening (increased workload, replacement), whether serving tea to visitors is required. (Female, 30s)

・It would be easier to imagine if negative aspects like the difficulty of the job content were also described specifically. (Female, 40s)

▼ Regarding 'workplace atmosphere':

・The age composition and gender ratio of the workplace, the presence of lockers, the age of the building, and the newness of the facilities. (Male, 40s)

・If I could know in advance the characteristics of the people I would actually be involved with, such as the personalities of team members and their attitude towards work, it might help in making a choice. (Female, 40s)

▼ Regarding 'work style/conditions':

・The actual number of annual holidays, details of the job content, and a rough timetable of working hours. (Male, 30s)

・Ease of taking leave, turnover rate of temporary staff, overall benefits, and training system. (Female, 40s)

▼ Regarding 'voices of actual employees':

・Something like a post with real opinions from people who have actually joined the company. (Female, 40s)

・I want them to honestly convey the good and bad points of the company without hiding anything. It would also be helpful to know the voices of the people working there. (Female, 40s)

[Survey Overview]
■ Survey Method: Online questionnaire
■ Survey Target: Users of 'en haken' (https://haken.en-japan.com/)
■ Number of Valid Responses: 1,531
■ Survey Period: April 1 - April 30, 2026

Japan's largest. A job information site specializing in temporary work 'en haken' https://haken.en-japan.com/

One of Japan's largest temporary staffing information portal sites, connecting job seekers looking for temporary work with staffing agencies nationwide. Its site design emphasizes matching the diverse needs of those who want to work as temporary staff with the job information held by staffing agencies. It ensures that no job information is buried, delivering it to the temporary users who want it.

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en-japan inc.

Public Relations
TEL: 03-3342-6590
E-mail: en-press@en-japan.com