BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- If you are in Japan working in a company called Himes & Company, you can have a "heartache leave" if you feel frustrated over the ending of a relationship.

    This Tokyo company latest employee benefit sets a new standard for employer compassion. Their lovelorn staff can take paid time off after a bad break-up with a partner.

    "Not everyone needs to take maternity leave but with heartbreak, everyone needs time off, " said Miki Hiradate, chief executive of the company.

    Its workers 24 and younger can take one full day of heartbreak leave per year, while those 25-29 get two days and those 30 and older, three.

    "Women in their twenties can find their next love quickly, but it's tougher for women in their thirties, and their break-ups tend to be more serious," Hiradate added.

    The company also made the news by instituting paid sales shopping leaves, giving employees four morning off per year to shop.

    "Before, women could take half-days off to go to sales, but you'd have to hide your shopping bags in lockers by the train station," Hiradate said.

    "But with paid leave, we don't have to feel guilty about bringing our shopping bags to work, and we can enjoy the best part about sales shopping - talking about our purchases afterwards."

    (Agencies)