Labour Law

Iwata Godo is highly experienced in labour law, including (i) regularly advising on internal rules and compliance with employment-related laws and regulations, including recruitment, tentative job offers, HR matters such as reassignment and secondment of employees, overtime work, disciplinary measures and labour unions, (ii) handling legal issues arising in the course of corporate restructuring (e.g., handling of labour unions, reduction in workforce, succession of labour contracts, unification of labour conditions) and (iii) conducting labour-related due diligence to assess risk on issues such as unpaid overtime, disguised contract labour, and nominal management positions.

We further offer a wide range of legal services, drawing upon our experience in litigation and expertise in dispute resolution, including (i) representation of employers in mediation, labour tribunals and litigation, (ii) advising employers on internal disciplinary actions and measures to prevent recurrence in employee fraud cases, and (iii) representation of employers, if necessary, in litigation to seek damages from employees in fraud cases.

Recently, we have seen a significant increase in the number of cases where we advise and represent employers on matters of public concern (e.g., cancellation of tentative job offers, refusal to extend or renew contracts with contingent workers, early retirement programs, sexual harassment, power harassment, work-related injuries and health issues, including karoshi (death caused by overwork) and mental disorders) and litigation by employees seeking damages on such matters. Such advice may include the handling of labour union reactions on these issues, if necessary. We further offer legal services on the labour issues specific to non-profit corporations, including educational corporations.