In Japan, the term “madogiwa-zoku,” literally meaning “window-side tribe,” refers to older employees who are given nominal desk jobs with little to no actual responsibilities. Rather than pushing them into early retirement, companies often keep them on the payroll as a gesture of respect and loyalty for years of service.
These positions typically involve being seated near the office windows, away from the center of activity, which gave rise to the name. While sometimes criticized as wasteful or demoralizing, the practice reflects Japan’s cultural emphasis on lifetime employment, seniority, and the importance of maintaining dignity in the workplace.
