How to Do Nothing at Work (and Still Get Paid)
A Survival Guide to Japanese Corporate Life
How to Do Nothing at Work (and Still Get Paid) free download
A Survival Guide to Japanese Corporate Life
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a job where you have little to no meaningful work assigned—yet you’re expected to show up, day after day, drawing a paycheck without clear purpose? Welcome to the intriguing and often misunderstood world of the “In-House NEET” — employees who are officially employed but internally unemployed.
In this unique course, we will explore this hidden reality that exists not only in Japan but in workplaces worldwide. You will learn to understand the complex social dynamics and psychological challenges faced by those caught in this limbo. Why does internal unemployment happen? How does it affect your identity, motivation, and mental health? And most importantly, how can you survive—and even thrive—while doing “nothing” at work?
Through a mix of sharp social commentary, practical survival strategies, and cultural insights, this course will teach you how to reframe your value beyond conventional productivity metrics. You will discover how simply being present can have its own quiet power, challenging traditional workplace norms that equate busyness with worth.
We’ll delve into the unwritten rules of corporate culture, from the stigma surrounding inactivity to the subtle art of navigating office politics without burning bridges. Whether you are struggling in your current role or curious about alternative ways to approach work-life balance, this course provides a refreshing, honest, and sometimes cheeky perspective.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with:
A clear understanding of what it means to be an “In-House NEET” and how this phenomenon fits into modern organizational life.
Insights into the psychological and cultural pressures that make being underutilized a taboo topic.
Practical tips for maintaining dignity, sanity, and professional relationships when you’re not assigned much work.
Strategies for leveraging downtime to grow personally and professionally without risking your position.
A new perspective on work identity that challenges conventional success narratives and embraces the value of presence and subtle influence.
This course is perfect for employees, managers, HR professionals, or anyone interested in the hidden realities of modern work life. Whether you want to survive internal unemployment or simply understand the quirks of corporate culture with a dose of humor and critical thought, this course will open your eyes and maybe even make you smile.
Get ready to rethink what “work” really means—and discover how sometimes, doing nothing at work can be the smartest move of all.
