Surrogate Resignation Agency in Japan Currently Overwhelmed with Clients
No need to do your own talking when you want to say, "Take this job and shove it!" Instead, save face (and negotiate better terms) by outsourcing the task.
What’s new: Surrogate resignation agency Momuri has been inundated with requests from new clients in the immediate aftermath of the just-ended "Golden Week" (GW) period of consecutive public holidays in Japan. It seems to be an offshoot of Gogatsu Byo (5月病), which means "May Blues" in Japanese - especially during the week immediately following the GW holidays.
Context: First, you may be wondering what a surrogate resignation agency is and why anyone would need to hire such a service.
The Business: Momuri, which is written as モームリ in Japanese, is a play on the Japanese phrase moo muri (もう無理), which roughly translates to "I can't take it anymore." According to the company's website…
"We will act on your behalf to communicate your intention to resign from your employer... We have pre-prepared formats for various general documents under the supervision of our legal counsel, so that you can obtain the necessary documents and benefits related to your resignation, such as paid leave, severance pay, post-retirement documents, and so on. If you follow our instructions, you will be able to retire without any problems. Momuri is a service for those who want to resign themselves without using a ‘resignation agency1.’" - Momuri website
While the Momuri service is not designed to be used to outsource all of the tasks for resigning from a company or organization, they guide their clients through the entire process and are on hand in the event of a problem.
Momuri can interact with their clients via a Zoom call, but they also offer face-to-face consultation, which seems to be a key selling point.
The Need: You may be wondering why anyone would need such a service. In addition to helping people avoid the potential for confrontation and a generally awkward situation, Momuri is affiliated with the Work Environment Improvement Association and is supported by a team of legal advisors, including two full-time attorneys who are licensed to represent their clients. By outsourcing this task to an expert, it is possible to ensure that one is treated fairly and receives the maximum amount of benefits due following voluntary resignation. Based on feedback from former clients, the following reasons are listed on the Momuri website:
“I would like to retire immediately.”
“I have told the company I want to retire, but they won't let me go.”
“I want to resign without going to the company.”
“I can't tell them I'm quitting on my own.”
“I want to resign, but the resignation process is cumbersome.”
“I don't want to talk to anyone at the company.”
“I want to get an objective opinion about resigning in my current environment.”
“I want to ask for advice about my job.”
“My boss is harassing me.” (Momuri's website states that they employ female staff to help their female clients feel more comfortable asking about gender discrimination, which in Japan tends to involve discrimination against women more often than discrimination against men).
“I am wondering if I should tell my boss myself or use a resignation agency.”
“I am considering using a resignation agency, but I am afraid they sound suspicious.”
Since an individual employee may not be fully aware of his or her company's work rules in general, let alone how to negotiate compensation and benefits upon leaving, it is not surprising that Momuri's clients recognize the value of this service, which helps to enhance the company's reputation.
Zoom out: The current labor market in Japan is extremely tight. In fact, Japan's unemployment rate was only 2.6% in March 2024. Japan also continues to struggle with the phenomenon of so-called buraku kigyo (ブラック企業), which literally translates to "black companies." These businesses are notorious for exploitative and unfair working conditions for their workforce. Employees are sometimes expected to work well beyond standard business hours, often with unpaid overtime. This can lead to exhaustion and health problems - including karoshi (過労死) or death from overwork. Sometimes compensation does not reflect the workload, and benefits such as vacation time or health insurance may be minimal. Power harassment and bullying by superiors may be a common problem in such companies. In general, the pressure to work long hours and the demanding workload leave little time for personal life and well-being. All of these factors contribute to a toxic work environment at “black companies.”
As a result, it can be difficult to negotiate a resignation agreement with adequate compensation and benefits from such employers. This is one of the reasons why Momuri and similar services have carved out a niche in the market for employment consulting services.
By the numbers: Momuri claims to have the most business in the niche market of managing surrogate resignations.
Historical Track Record: The company has provided over 13,000 resignation consultations and 8,000 confirmed resignations.
New Business: Immediately following Japan's Golden Week holiday, which began at the end of April and ended on Monday, May 6, Momuri was overwhelmed by the influx of new business.
"As of now, we have 114 reservations for May 7, the day after GW. The number of consultations and inquiries is non-stop, with probably 10 to 20 tonight, and with another 10 to 20 on the same day, the number is likely to exceed 140 tomorrow. A total of 17 people will be on site tomorrow, so we will make every possible preparation now.” - Momuri company representative speaking on the morning of Tuesday, May 7, 2024
The Japanese media has picked up on this story, which is probably partly responsible for the recent spike in applications.
Success Rate: It's hard to argue with the company's reported 100% success rate. Employers are probably well aware that they are dealing with experts when they receive a Momuri template or get a call from Momuri or a similar service. As such, most employers probably realize that it would be in their best interest to process the claim quickly and simply pay their former employee, rather than trying to nitpick every little misunderstanding. The company’s Google satisfaction rating was 4.8 out of 5 a few months ago.
Fees: Momuri charges 22,000 yen (about $140) for full-time regular employees and 12,000 yen ($77) for part-time positions. Momuri's pricing is apparently quite competitive, as the market rate for resignation services is 25,000 yen to 30,000 yen ($160 ~ $190). A law firm might charge up to 50,000 yen ($320) for the same job. However, initial telephone consultations are free. Momuri also provides free job transfer counseling - including assistance in obtaining unemployment insurance and social security benefits. Curiously, Momuri offers up to a 50% discount for repeat business within 1 year of the initial assignment! Some customers are chronic quiters.
Operating Hours: 24/7 365 days per year!
What they’re saying: The surprising number of requests has generated a wide range of opinions on the Internet. The name of the service is even being discussed as a candidate for one of this year's national buzzwords.
"I knew May was the busy season, and it looks like it will be busy again after the Obon Festival (this summer)." "I wonder what you will do after everyone quits." "Is there any hope for this country?" "Is this May Blues?" "Good job using supply and demand skillfully." - Anonymous comments on a social networking site in Japan
What’s next: As long as Japan's labor market remains tight, Mormuri and its competitors probably have a pretty good chance of success in the coming years. Employers should take note-especially right after the few times each year when there are a series of back-to-back holidays, such as Golden Week in the spring, the Obon Holidays in the summer, and after New Year's.
Links to Japanese Sources: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/news/2024/05/07/kiji/20240507s00042000225000c.html and https://momuri.com/.
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In Japan, resignation agencies can take care of the resignation process for employees who find it difficult to quit their jobs themselves.
I didn't know Momuri. Thanks for covering the subject, Mark. I'll tell my son, just in case....
I thought the fees mentioned were reasonable. I have a feeling that a large percentage of the people wishing to resign right after Golden Week may be new employees who just graduated in March and started working in April. I think going to work for a Japanese company after attending a Japanese university is a particularly large leap in terms of the curtailing of freedom.