Working at IKEA
Each co-worker plays a role in helping our business develop and achieving our vision. IKEA believes that co-workers can develop their potential and grow as individuals through their work. To enable co-workers at all stages of life to "be themselves" with fair wages and working conditions, IKEA Japan introduced the Short-Time Permanent Employee System in September 2014, and all co-workers (excluding students and short-term contractors) became permanent employees. We will support your growth at IKEA with social insurance coverage, a permanent employment contract, and further benefits.
Full-time permanent co-workers
These co-workers work at IKEA five days a week (for 40 hours). Most leaders and managers work full-time.
*Some exceptions apply.
Part-time permanent co-workers
These co-workers have two different types of weekly work contracts: 12-24 hours a week and 25-38 hours a week. You can work in a way that fits your life stage.
Student contractors
Students aged 18 or over and still enrolled in school are employed under this work contract. You can adjust your work hours and work within the threshold of being a dependent. After graduation, students can apply for short-time permanent or full-time permanent positions through Open IKEA (IKEA's internal job posting system)
Seasonal contractors
They work at IKEA for a short term, which can be as long as two months. This contract is perfect if you want to see what it's like to work at IKEA.
Details of each contract
| Ways of working | Full-time Permanent Contract | Part-time Permanent Contract (25-28h / week) | Part-time Permanent Contract (12-24h / week) | Student contract | Seasonal contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract type | Permanent contract | Permanent contract | Permanent contract | Fixed-term contract | Fixed-term contract |
| Social Insurance | ◯ | ◯ | ◯ | × | × |
What is social insurance?
Social insurance system is a system to enroll in Japan's general social insurance programs: employee pension, health insurance, unemployment insurance, and long-term care insurance (for those over 40 years of age). The company (IKEA) and the employee (co-worker) each pay a 50-50 share of the cost, which is deducted from the monthly salary. Part-time permanent co-workers can also have long, comfortable careers at IKEA by having Social insurance.
What is permanent employment?
We have introduced employment contracts with no fixed term so that short-time permanent co-workers can continue to work for a long period of time in a secure environment.
Voices of short-time permanent co-workers
Name: Rumi
Store: IKEA Shinmisato
Work area: Customer relations
Employment type: Regular part-time, 25—38 hours a week
With us since April 1, 2017
I joined IKEA when my oldest child turned two. In the six years since joining the company, I have had two more children, took maternity leave at the time of each birth, and am now raising three children while juggling work and private life every day.
I use IKEA's part-time permanent employment system to have extra time on weekdays to drop my children off and pick them up from school. I am still swamped after I get home, but I can still have time to make dinner and spend time with my children. Because I can keep working here for a long time as a part-time co-worker, I am trusted with more work and able to share my own ideas and opinions. My days are fast-paced with childcare, housework, and work, but I enjoy working with the support of my wonderful colleagues at IKEA.
Name: Yasuyuki
Store: IKEA Shinjuku
Employment type: Regular part-time, 12—24 hours a week
Work area: Sales
With us since March 1, 2021
I am a part-time permanent co-worker as well as an actor. I joined IKEA right when my last job stalled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. My work at IKEA under the part-time permanent employment system helped me maintain a fixed level of income, so I can continue to work as an actor. It also has an excellent benefits package on offer that has vastly improved my quality of life in comparison to when I lived on part-time work only.
My acting career has also benefited from IKEA's culture (which encourages us to say what we think) and from being surrounded by co-workers from various backgrounds. Every day, I am grateful to my co-workers and manager for supporting my dreams.