Is a company trip paid leave? Or special leave?

We have a company trip coming up, and I was told by headquarters that if I don't participate, it will be processed as "paid leave".

But wait a minute? 🤔
Is it normal to have to use up paid leave just because I didn't participate in a company event?

I just couldn't accept that, so...

💬 I told them I wanted to work, but...

"Then please let me work that day." I asked.

But the response I got back was
"That day is a company holiday, so you cannot work."

Huh? It's a holiday due to company circumstances, yet I have no choice but to use paid leave...?
Either way, aren't I the one losing out? 😓

I kept feeling uneasy about it, so the matter went all the way to headquarters,
and this was the final result 👇

🌟 Not paid leave, but "special leave"!

Surprisingly, in the end, I received a message saying,
"This time, it will be processed as special leave instead of paid leave." ✨

In other words, my paid leave won't be used up and it will be treated as a day off 🎉
(This applies not just to me, but to others who didn't participate as well!)

I was happy that the others who didn't participate also told me, "Thank you for speaking up." 😊

📚 Re-confirming: What does the law say?

I decided to look up the Labor Standards Act again here 📝

✅ Paid leave is a right that workers can take freely
✅ If a company event is mandatory → treated as work
✅ If it takes place on a holiday → treated as holiday work + potential for extra pay!

In other words, there are cases where "non-participation = using paid leave" is legally unreasonable ⚠️

🛡️ Company rules and the law are different things

The company says, "This is how we do things here," but
if that goes against the law, it's not okay.

I used to work at a black company, so
I was convinced that "what the company says is absolute," and
I never even cared about the law.

But it's different now.

💡 Speaking up protects both yourself and others

By not ignoring my own unease this time and taking action,
I was able to protect not only myself but also those around me.

If you feel like something is "wrong?"
First, try looking it up.
And try voicing even a small concern.

That might lead to unexpected changes 🌱

🎀 Finally

Things that are dismissed as "company rules..."
might actually be disadvantageous to the workers.

I hope my experience
can be a reference for someone who is feeling a bit uneasy right now 🍀

👇 Point-earning tips to save 3000 yen a month 🉐

Thank you for reading until the end ☺️
I'd be happy if you could press the like button 💓