'Heartache leave' eases the pain of break-up in Japan

Lovelorn staff at a Japanese marketing company can take paid time off after an upsetting break-up with a partner, with more "heartache leave" offered as they get older.

Hime & Company, of Tokyo, which also gives staff paid time off to go sales shopping, says heartache leave allows staff to cry themselves out and return refreshed. "Not everyone needs to take maternity leave but with heartbreak, everyone needs time off, " said Miki Hiradate, chief executive, whose company of six women markets cosmetics and other goods targeted at women.

Staff aged 24 or younger can take one day off a year, those between 25 and 29 two days off and those older three days off.

"Women in their twenties can find their next love quickly, but it's tougher for women in their thirties, and their break-ups tend to be more serious," Ms Hiradate said. Her staff can also take two mornings twice a year as "sales shopping leave".

She added: "Before, women could take half-days off to go to sales, but you'd have to hide your shopping bags in the train station lockers. [Now] we don't have to feel guilty about bringing our shopping bags to work, and we can enjoy the best part about sales shopping, talking about our purchases afterwards." reuters