expression, noun
female office worker (dated, often patronizing); office flower
Dated idiomatic expression referring to a young female employee valued for her presence and charm rather than her work. Often carries a patronizing or sexist tone; labeled 'sensitive'. The literal meaning is 'flower of the workplace'.
昔は「職場の花」と呼ばれる女性社員がどの部署にもいたものだ。
In the old days, every department had a female employee who was called the 'office flower'.
「職場の花」という言い方は、今ではセクハラとみなされることが多い。
The expression 'shokuba no hana' is now often considered sexual harassment.
A metaphorical phrase combining 職場 (workplace) and 花 (flower), likening a female employee to a flower that brightens the office. The exact origin is unclear, but it reflects traditional gender roles in Japanese workplaces.