Uniqlo's parent company, Fast Retailing, will be offering a four-day workweek to 10,000 employees of Uniqlo's Japan location starting this October, according to a report from Bloomberg.
Employees will have the option to have a three day weekend in exchange for working 10 hours for four days.
Bloomberg adds that Fast Retailing is offering this kind of perk to its employees in hopes of retaining their full-time talent.
Their employees often go from full-time to part-time to be with their families or care for their elder parents.
Bloomberg adds that retaining its full-time employees, even its lowest-skilled worker, is important to Uniqlo.
The company usually trains its new retail employees for two weeks, which would cost the company money if that new talent were to leave.
The Japan Times added that Fast Retailing is also hoping this move will reduce its high turnover rate, as the company seeks to increase the number of full-time employees.
The company is looking to increase its locally hired full-time employees to 16,000.
Industry observers said that other companies in the retail, restaurant and service industries could follow Fast Retailing's move, according to The Japan Times.
These industries are facing severe labor shortages.
The move comes at a time when the Japanese government is challenging its tradition of having overworked employees.
A February report from The Guardian states that the Japanese government is thinking of making it a legal requirement for employees to take at least a five-day paid holiday a year.
About 22 percent of Japanese workers average 49 hours of work a week, compared to 16 percent in the U.S., and 11 percent in France and Germany.
Bloomberg adds that some Japanese companies, including Itochu, a company involved in domestic and overseas trading, have already banned working late nights.
This is a reaction to stress and overwork being experienced by their employees.
Fast Retailing is also thinking of introducing the system to its full-time employees in its headquarters and its other cheaper GU stores, a source told The Japan Times.
Bloomberg adds that the one downside to the four-day workweek is that employees will need to work on Saturday and Sundays.
This will help Uniqlo keep its store staffed during the busiest times.
