Key Facts
• Timee operates a job app for short-term ‘spot work’ opportunities.
• On July 4, Timee announced a new policy prohibiting employer-initiated cancellations.
• Employers canceling within 24 hours of job start must pay compensation.
• Previously, contracts were finalized upon worker check-in via the app.
• The new policy will take effect in September 2025.
• Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare issued guidelines on July 4.
• Guidelines state labor contracts are generally formed when workers apply for jobs.
• Labor offices have received complaints about unpaid wages in spot work.
• The ministry aims to ensure fair labor conditions and a safe work environment.
Summary
Timee, a leading job app for short-term ‘spot work,’ announced a policy change effective September 2025. Employers will no longer be allowed to cancel jobs at the last minute, and cancellations within 24 hours of the job start will require compensation. Previously, contracts were finalized when workers checked in via the app, allowing last-minute cancellations. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare also issued guidelines on July 4, clarifying that labor contracts are typically formed when workers apply for jobs. This move addresses ongoing complaints about unpaid wages and aims to create a fair and secure work environment for spot workers.
