Toyota is the most successful automaker on the planet, with monstrous profits and vehicle sales. A big reason for that success is the Japanese automaker's sterling quality image, and Toyota is boosting volunteer overtime pay at home to keep workers happy. The move to increase OT came in part because of mounting pressure over the Japanese culture of "service overtime", a practice which courts say led to the death of a 30 year old worker due to overwork. Toyota had been paying for only two hours of Quality Control Circle meeting hours per month, even though meetings are more frequent than that.
Toyota has proven to be tough opponent for other automakers, and workers that are willing to sacrifice time free of charge certainly helped. At least now hard-working employees can still be just as dedicated as before, but with a little more money in the paycheck as a reward.
[Source: Google]
