Jobseekers urged to avoid replying to 'suspicious invitations or questions'
The Japan Harassment Association continues to receive complaints from students who are getting sexually harassed by recruiters during their job hunt, according to reports.
The association revealed that a majority of complaints that they receive are from female university students, Kyodo News reported.
The report indicates the ongoing problem of sexual harassment against university students during recruitment, a problem that first came to light in 2019.
Last year, a study from Japan's Labour Ministry found that around 30% of students have experienced sexual harassment while looking for jobs. Some of the common cases include:
Being asked sexual questions or teased during interviews
Being persistently pressured to go out for a meal
An official from a university in Tokyo told Kyodo News that the problem comes as employees try to meet and recruit more students amid intense competition for talent.
"Students can be targeted due to their vulnerable position," the official told the news outlet.
Kaname Murasaki, the head of the Japan Harassment Association, advised students to avoid replying immediately to "suspicious invitations or questions" from recruiters.
The head also urged organisations to not look at jobseekers who report harassment negatively.
Japan's Labour Ministry reportedly has plans to make it mandatory for organisations to take steps to prevent sexual harassment towards students searching for jobs.
The plan involves amending Japan's equal employment opportunity law to require companies to establish rules for job interviews and an inquiry counter for harassment cases, according to previous reports.
Some employers have also taken steps to prevent students from getting harassed, such as by prohibiting nighttime meetings and by banning employees from exchanging personal contact details with students.
Universities have also set up guidelines to prevent harassment cases, according to Kyodo News.
Rikkyo University in Tokyo has told students of what situations to be wary of. Takushoku University also has recommended company employees to only meet at company offices or on campus.
