Teacher Discussion Forums

We have a term 'MADOGIWAZOKU', literally 'window-side
people'. Those are the people who are not needed
in the company, but for some reason or another the
company has to keep them. They are given no meaningful
work and are just sitting near the window. The company
might be wanting them to vluntarily retire. The company
might have to keep them because they have contributed
to the company for a long time. Anyway it's not an
enjoyable position.
I wonder if there is any appropriate English term
for this. 'Pencil pusher' or 'pen pusher' are
somewhat different I think.
Thank you.

>dead-weight
>They are "using up all the air" (not a common expression)

A pencil pusher is more someone who sits at a desk all day, fiddles around and has nothing better to do than to make a hassle for you, the customer or coworker. Or perhaps they are someone that knows nothing beyond their desk since that's all they do all day; no real world dealings.(I don't know many pencil pushers, so perhaps others could elaborate more)