Job Discussion Forums

[globetrotter577]

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone could provide me with information on Interac and their ALT program? I was recently on their website and they are conducting interviews in my hometown in November. I was hoping to get some feedback as I've seen numerous posts related to the "BIG 4" language schools in Japan, but can't recollect reading anything about this particular company.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Glenski]

This web site has lots of older threads dedicated to Interac. I suggest that you do a search on "Interac ALT" to see them.

[becmaha]

I think when you do the search, most of the posts you will find for Interac will be negative. I was offered a job through Interac (Chiba branch) in May. I came to Dave's ESL Cafe to check out the feedback on the company, and I found the postings you are likely to find soon. I took the job anyway though, because I really wanted to come to Japan, and I hadn't had any other offers.

I have had no problems with Interac so far. I began on Sept. 1. It is true that they pay a month behind, so you end up working almost two months before you get your first pay check. When you are finished though, you'll get that nice bonus check one month after you've been done working! I've heard that at times they pay late as well, and although I don't know if that is still the case since my first pay day hasn't come, I do know that the people in the office have all been extremely helpful to me, and seem to sincerely care about their teachers. I don't anticipate getting paid late judging from the respect they treat me with, but if I am paid late I will be sure to post on here.

The hardest part about Interac, I think, is that they don't pay for airfare or help you with the cost of your apartment. However, if you need a loan, they will give it to you. It is expensive to get on your feet in Japan. Interac seems ideal to me for people who have already been working in Japan (therefore have an apartment and if they are lucky had another company pay for their plane ticket). That way, people can merely switch employers, but not have to take on the costs of travel and housing.

If you can afford to get yourself here, it seems Interac is a good company. I was lucky b/c I have a friend who is a flight attendant (cheap ticket!), and I split rent with my boyfriend. Some Interac employees paid their plane tickets, key money, first month's rent and basic furnishings, and needless to say they are dying to get that first check.

I didn't sign my contract until I arrived in Japan, which made me nervous, but it ended up being fine. Interac pays transportation costs to and from work for you, and they found apartments with low or no key money for most of the teachers I started with. Depending on the Board of Education in the city they place you in, there is a possibility of getting some furnishings from them.

There are definately companies out there that will pay your airfare, and take care of your key money, but if you are just in need of a job in Japan, I think Interac is a fine company to work for.

[lajzar]

When I interviewed for my job with them (2 years ago), I specifically asked about teh late payment issue, and they promised me that that was due to some old cash flow problems and could never happen again.

The first time they paid late was one month after I finished repaying the loan they gave me when I started with them. They tried it on three more times after that. The thing I found suspiciou was that even when my pay was on time, it would often be split as two separate deposits, suggesting that the book-keeping had been arranged to facilitate such late payments.

Also, when I left they charged me for various study materials that I returned but they said I didn't. Get receipts for everything from them.

[king kakipi]

becmaha I hope you have no problems with Interac and wish you all the best. That said, you haven't had your first pay check and have only just started working for them this month so time will tell.

I have never worked for them but I 'interact' with a couple of Interac teachers around the traps and they still comment on the odd glitch with their pay; deductions they don't understand etc.

The first place (not Interac) I worked for in Japan didn't make any attempt to pay me (or the other teachers) on pay day (check someone else's "Pay Problem" Post) and I immediately kicked up a stink through my wife and my in-laws (in Japanese). Payment was eventually made in full.

Since then I have worked/continue to work for 9 schools and agencies and they all pay on time, every time. It is UNACCEPTABLE for any of these (big) places to have 'problems' and I suggest that should your pay ever be late you protest bitterly. Apparently Interac gets about 515000 a month from the schools per ALT; they should have NO PROBLEM PAYING ON TIME, EVERY TIME, as they should be an efficient, well-oiled machine by now.

Good luck and keep us posted please

[Mike L.]

It's totally unacceptable that Interac doesn't pay on time even after their paying a full month after the pay-period! Been here over 5 years and have never been paid late once!

Not to mention that all of my employers pay or have paid within 2 weeks after the end of a pay period not one month later!

This is Japan, this is the Japanese way! They should get with the program.

To the OP don't cut them any slack!!

[ne01]

i was an alt with interac last year and i never had any problems with pay. the job is so easy. much easier than at an eikaiwa. since you are an assistant all you do is create games for the key sentence they're studying that particular day. i wouldn't suggest kanto and the head office is in tokyo, and they can get pretty anal with various things. the regional offices are better.

[AgentMulderUK]

Inefficient & bungling.

The people at the Tokyo head office are deceitful, with one notable exception who is a really helpful guy.

PM me for more information.

[klute]

Interac money problems again. What a surprise! Interac policy, which has been in place for years, is don't pay the teacher on time if you can get away with it. They will pay late if they think the teacher won't make a fuss. If a teacher seems like they might walk off the job if they don't get paid on time, then Interac will pay on time. It really is that simple. Basically it's shaft the weak.

One other thing which has been mentioned above - Interac deduct money from salaries at the end of contracts for various made up infractions like missing textbooks etc. They hope that becuse the teacher is on the way out of the country there will be no fuss. The best way to counter this, if you are an Interac teacher nearing the end of the contract, is let it be known that you are aware that this happens and if anything is missing from your final paypacket you will be straight down to the Labor Standards Office. Although the LSO is not as pushy as one might hope, they do take illegal salary deductions seriously and act quickly.

The relevant law is:

Labor Standards Law
(Ban on Predetermined Indemnity)
Article 16. An employer shall not make a contract which fixes in advanced either a sum payable to the employer for breach of contract or the amount of indemnity for damages.

So if it's in your contract it doesn't count. Law is above contract, thank god.


The Labor Standard Law allows employers to cut wages as a sanction against employees who, for example, break their contract, do not show up for work without prior notice, or often come to the office late but in these cases there are strict rules on what the employer can do. Fining employees for unknown lost textbooks does not fit into this category.
[/u]