ブラック企業
Burakkukigyou
ぶらっくきぎょう
A slang term for companies that grind their employees into the ground through excessive overtime, unpaid labor (サービス残業 = service overtime, i.e. working for free), power harassment, and low pay. The term spread online in the 2000s and made the top 10 of Japan's Buzzword Awards in 2013. The opposite is ホワイト企業 (white kigyou = a "white company," meaning a decent employer). For job-hunting students, avoiding ブラック企業 is one of the top priorities. Often shortened to just ブラック (burakku). The concept reflects a deep cultural issue in Japan's work culture.
Examples
前の会社完全にブラックだった。毎日終電だよ
My last company was a total black company. I was catching the last train home every night.
A friend talking about their old job after switching companies
ブラック企業大賞ってのがあるの知ってた？
Did you know there is actually a "Black Company Award" thing?
Talking about internet topics
就活の時にブラック企業を見抜く方法知りたい
I want to know how to spot black companies when job hunting.
ホワイト企業に転職してから人生変わった
My life completely changed after switching to a white company.