This Japanese firm measures employees’ smiles to improve mental fitness

A bizarre technique of monitoring employees’ performance and fitness has surfaced in Japan. According to the South China Morning Post, AEON, a Japanese supermarket chain, has implemented a unique system to measure employees’ smiles to determine their mental fitness for the job.

The report indicates that AEON has developed an artificial intelligence system designed to analyse employees’ smiles. The aim is to enhance customer service quality. This system, dubbed ‘Mr. Smile’, was launched on 1 July, 2024 and has already been installed in over 250 AEON stores across Japan.

Developed by a Japanese tech company, the AI system evaluates various aspects of employees’ service attitudes. It assesses 450 elements, including facial expressions, voice tone and greeting style. The system also features a scoring mechanism to encourage employees to compete with each other, gamifying the process.

Before its widespread implementation, the system was tested on 3,500 employees across eight stores over a three-month period.

While AEON claims that this initiative boosts employee productivity, the news has raised concerns about employee rights, with many questioning the ethical implications of such monitoring practices.

Workplace conditions significantly impact productivity, with most individuals spending a substantial portion of their time at work. However, reports of poor workplace environments and harsh employee treatment frequently surface globally. In some cases, workers face penalties for not meeting targets, and some are even forced to resign over minor issues.