Doda Job Change Service Conducts Survey on 'Work Style and Life Fulfillment'
Persol Career surveyed 1,962 workers across Japan. While over half perceive the penetration of work-life balance, only about 20% feel they have more free time. The company introduces the new concept of 'Work-Like Balance.'
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 22, 2026 at 05:50 (18h 18m after Collected)
Persol Career, operator of the job change service 'doda' (Editor-in-Chief: Takashi Sakurai), conducted a survey in March 2026 on 'Work Style and Life Fulfillment,' targeting 1,962 employed individuals in their 20s to 60s nationwide. While work-style reforms have led to the correction of long working hours, the survey was conducted to shed light on the reality of satisfaction in work and private life during a period when individuals are prone to confusion and anxiety about their work style due to the fatigue of new life and the gap with their ideals.
The results highlighted that although many workers feel the urge to devote time to things they are passionate about, they are unable to secure enough time in practice. It is estimated that mental and physical flexibility is taken away by daily tasks and fatigue, leaving them unable to find targets for spontaneous immersion in their private time.
In response to these findings, 'doda' aims to further evolve work-life balance—which reconciles work and private life—by advocating a new concept called 'Work-Like Balance,' which harmonizes 'what you need to do' with 'what you want to do.' The company will expand tools such as a 'Work-Like Balance Diagnostic' to visualize one's state and participant-driven projects like a 'note contest.'
Key findings show that while 51.7% of respondents perceive the penetration of work-life balance in society, only 22.2% answered that they have more free time. Furthermore, 35.0% of those who felt they had more free time noted that their daily happiness remained unchanged or had decreased. While 61.5% of respondents expressed a desire to increase the time spent on their interests in the future, the top activities currently pursued to enhance daily fulfillment were 'getting sufficient sleep/rest' (46.5%) and 'spending time blankly' (21.3%), showing that many have not yet taken steps toward concrete activities. Barriers to realizing their ideals were led by 'lack of economic affordability' (30.3%) and 'being physically and mentally tired' (29.1%), revealing that even in their time off, workers are not completely liberated from 'things they have to do.'
The results highlighted that although many workers feel the urge to devote time to things they are passionate about, they are unable to secure enough time in practice. It is estimated that mental and physical flexibility is taken away by daily tasks and fatigue, leaving them unable to find targets for spontaneous immersion in their private time.
In response to these findings, 'doda' aims to further evolve work-life balance—which reconciles work and private life—by advocating a new concept called 'Work-Like Balance,' which harmonizes 'what you need to do' with 'what you want to do.' The company will expand tools such as a 'Work-Like Balance Diagnostic' to visualize one's state and participant-driven projects like a 'note contest.'
Key findings show that while 51.7% of respondents perceive the penetration of work-life balance in society, only 22.2% answered that they have more free time. Furthermore, 35.0% of those who felt they had more free time noted that their daily happiness remained unchanged or had decreased. While 61.5% of respondents expressed a desire to increase the time spent on their interests in the future, the top activities currently pursued to enhance daily fulfillment were 'getting sufficient sleep/rest' (46.5%) and 'spending time blankly' (21.3%), showing that many have not yet taken steps toward concrete activities. Barriers to realizing their ideals were led by 'lack of economic affordability' (30.3%) and 'being physically and mentally tired' (29.1%), revealing that even in their time off, workers are not completely liberated from 'things they have to do.'
FAQ
What is the difference between work-life balance and Work-Like balance?
While work-life balance aims for a harmony of time between work and private life, Work-Like balance focuses on harmonizing both based on passion and interests, regardless of the dichotomy between work and private life.
According to the survey, how many people feel they have more free time?
Only about 20% (22.2%) of people feel that they have more free time.
What do modern workers do most to improve their sense of fulfillment?
Getting sufficient sleep and rest (46.5%).