Honda has decided to discontinue its early retirement system, a move aimed at instigating a transformation within the company and fostering a more dynamic work environment. The program, known as the “Lifeshift Program,” was launched in fiscal year 2021 for domestic employees. However, as of fiscal year 2023, new applications for early retirement will no longer be accepted.
The Lifeshift Program targeted full-time employees aged 55 to under 59 (in fiscal year 2021, those aged 60 to 64 were also eligible). Participants were entitled to a supplementary retirement allowance in addition to their regular retirement benefits, calculated based on age. For instance, a 55-year-old employee could receive a retirement allowance equivalent to three years’ worth of annual income. While the premium retirement benefits decrease incrementally with age, they remained generous.
Furthermore, the program offered comprehensive outplacement support services including counseling, life planning, document preparation assistance, and interview training, all aimed at aiding employees in transitioning to new roles or fields.
The rationale behind this move is to instigate a generational shift within the organization. Honda’s average employee age currently stands at 44.7 years old, making it the oldest among the three major automakers, ahead of Toyota and Nissan. Over the past four decades, the average age has increased, primarily due to extended years of service. Recently, over 30% of Honda’s workforce is in their 50s.
However, this transition hasn’t been without its challenges. Some departments within Honda have experienced a surge in resignations, leading to operational difficulties. A mid-level Honda employee noted, “There are some departments where so many people quit, it’s hard to get work done. If talented people are leaving, and the burden on the workplace is increasing, it’s putting the cart before the horse.”
This shift toward early retirement in response to the EV transition is observed not only at Honda but also among other global manufacturers. Earlier this year, General Motors (GM) introduced an early retirement program for administrative employees worldwide, garnering approximately 5,000 applications within a month.
Stellantis, a prominent Western automobile firm, has also announced plans for early retirements affecting around 33,500 employees in the United States and Canada. It’s evident that the entire automotive industry is recognizing the need for structural reforms to adapt to evolving market dynamics.
Honda’s President Toshihiro Mibe, in office since 2021, has emphasized the imperative of looking forward and has taken proactive steps toward organizational restructuring. Yet, former Honda executives contend that nurturing an environment where individual aspirations can flourish is at the heart of Honda’s management ethos.
Honda, renowned for its pioneering technologies and products, now grapples with the challenge of redefining its organizational identity in a rapidly evolving landscape. The path to rediscovering its distinctive “Honda-ness” remains a work in progress.
