clerical work; non-manual work; office work
Used in organizational contexts, especially in government or large companies, to refer to administrative or desk-based work as opposed to field or manual labor (現業). Often contrasted with 現業 (げんぎょう).
He was assigned to the clerical work division.
We will review the salary structure for non-manual staff.
Compound of 非 (ひ, 'non-') and 現業 (げんぎょう, 'manual/field work'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is used in modern bureaucratic contexts.