As part of work style reform, more and more companies are lifting their ban on employees’ having side jobs. According to the Nikkei’s survey of major companies, including those listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, about 50% of the 120 companies that responded said that they permit employees to hold second jobs. Companies say they hope in this way to absorb external expertise and leverage it in the development of human resources and new projects. Issues remain, however, regarding personnel management of employees who work at more than one place. (Abridged)