名ばかり管理職
Meaning: A manager in title only — someone given a management title but with no real authority, often to avoid paying overtime.
名ばかり管理職 became a major social issue in the 2000s when companies were exposed for promoting employees to 'manager' positions specifically to classify them as exempt from overtime pay. A landmark 2008 McDonald's Japan lawsuit brought this practice into the spotlight when a store manager won a case proving he was a manager in name only. The term highlights exploitative labor practices where the title comes with more responsibilities but fewer protections.
Examples
- 名ばかり管理職にされて残業代ゼロなのに仕事は倍になった。 被弄成有名无实的管理职,加班费没了,工作量却翻倍了。Me hicieron directivo solo de nombre: cero horas extra pagadas y el doble de trabajo.유명무실 관리직이 되어서 잔업 수당은 0인데 업무량은 두 배가 됐어.
- 課長って肩書きだけで部下もいない名ばかり管理職だよ。 挂着课长的头衔,手下一个人都没有,完全是有名无实的管理职。Tiene el título de jefe de sección, pero ni siquiera tiene subordinados; es un cargo de puro nombre.과장이라는 직함뿐이고 부하도 없는 유명무실 관리직이야.
- 名ばかり管理職問題って、まだ全然解決してないよね。 有名无实管理职的问题,到现在根本没解决吧。El problema de los directivos nominales sigue sin resolverse, ¿verdad?유명무실 관리직 문제는 아직도 전혀 해결 안 됐지.
Pronunciation
/na.ba.ka.ɾi kan.ɾi.ɕo.ku/
Usage Guide
Context: workplace, labor issues, news
Tone: critical, indignant
✓ Do Say
- 名ばかり管理職にされたら、労基署に相談したほうがいいよ。 (If you're made a manager in name only, you should consult the labor standards office.)如果被弄成有名无实的管理职,最好去劳动基准监督署咨询。(如果你被架空成只有头衔的管理者,应该去劳动部门咨询。)Si te hacen directivo solo de nombre, deberías consultar con la inspección de trabajo.유명무실 관리직이 됐다면 노동기준감독서에 상담하는 게 좋아. (명목상 관리직으로 분류됐다면 노동기준감독서에 상담해야 해.)
- あれ完全に名ばかり管理職だよ、権限も裁量もないじゃん。 (That's totally a title-only manager — no authority or discretion.)那完全就是有名无实的管理职,既没有权限也没有裁量权。(那完全就是挂名管理者——既没实权也没决定权。)Eso es claramente un cargo de puro nombre: no tiene ni autoridad ni autonomía.저거 완전 유명무실 관리직이잖아, 권한도 재량도 없잖아. (저거 완전히 이름뿐인 관리자지 — 권한도 재량도 없잖아.)
✗ Don't Say
- 昇進を喜んでる人に「名ばかり管理職じゃない?」は水を差す (Asking someone celebrating a promotion 'isn't that just a title?' kills the mood)对正在庆祝升职的人说'这不就是有名无实吗?'太扫兴了(对正在高兴升职的人泼冷水说'那不就是个虚衔吗?'太煞风景了)Preguntarle a alguien que celebra un ascenso «¿no será un cargo de puro nombre?» le chafa el momento.승진을 기뻐하는 사람에게 '유명무실 관리직 아니야?'는 찬물을 끼얹는 격이다 (승진을 축하하고 있는 사람에게 '그거 이름뿐인 관리직 아냐?'라고 물으면 분위기를 망친다)
Common Mistakes
- Thinking 名ばかり管理職 is just a complaint — it's a recognized labor law issue with legal precedent
Origin & History
Gained prominence in 2008 after a McDonald's Japan store manager sued for unpaid overtime, arguing he was a 'manager in name only.' The case was widely covered and the term became a recognized labor issue.
Cultural Context
Era: 2000s, landmark 2008 McDonald's Japan lawsuit
Generation: All working-age adults
Social background: White-collar workers, especially mid-level employees
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. A legally significant term in Japanese labor law discussions.
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