サービス残業(ざんぎょう)

さーびすざんぎょう
noun
unpaid overtime
worksociety
1. unpaid overtime; uncompensated extra work
overtime work that is not compensated, often done under implicit pressure in Japanese work culture
サービス残業(ざんぎょう)は違法(いほう)だ。
Unpaid overtime is illegal.
毎日(まいにち)2時間(じかん)のサービス残業(ざんぎょう)をさせられている。
I'm made to work 2 hours of unpaid overtime every day.
サービス残業(ざんぎょう)をなくす取(と)り組(く)みが進(すす)んでいる。
Efforts to eliminate unpaid overtime are progressing.

Etymology

サービス (service, free) + 残業(ざんぎょう) (overtime)
Ironically named - the "service" is from the employee to the company for free.

Cultural note

A significant issue in Japanese work culture, where employees may feel pressured to work beyond paid hours. Despite being illegal under labor law, it remains common in some industries.

Forms

サビ残(ざん) - casual abbreviation

RELATED WORDS (work culture):

Related Words

Related: 残業(ざんぎょう) (overtime)
Related: ブラック企業(きぎょう) (exploitative company)
Related: 働(はたら)き方(かた)改革(かいかく) (work-style reform)
Related: 過労(かろう) (overwork)
Related: 残業代(ざんぎょうだい) (overtime pay)
Related: サービス出勤(しゅっきん) (working without pay)
general
Added 2026.1.27 12:47 · Revised 2026.10.13 4:13
08000/08477_saabisuzangyou