Job Discussion Forums

[Vingilot]

Hello, this is my first time positng to this forum. I have been interested in a job in Japan and I recently got a copy of the contract outline, and I was wondering if this was a good position or not. I just want to know if this is typical of a contract in Japan. I've been currently working in Korea so I am not too sure what Japan ESL jobs offer.

The contract is for two years. The salary is 250000 yen a month, working Monday through Saturday. There are 40 hours per week, with 4 classes ranging from 60-90 minutes a day. I believe with all age groups. A round trip ticket is supplied. It seems like a fairly small school, and it specifically states some gardening is required. I am a bit pensive about signing a two year contract and working 6 days a week, but whether or not this is common in Japan I have no clue.

Thanks for helping out a confused, pathetic newbie!

[Gordon]

6 days is not common.
Gardening? That's a first I've heard.
2 years is also rare or non-existent.
Is this 40 teaching hours or just being in the school. 4o teaching hours is really high.
The round trip ticket is the only redeeming feature, but I'd still give this offer a wide berth.

Look at lots of other job openings and see what other schools offer to get a better view of the work situation here.

[Glenski]

6 days a week?

Labor Standards Law stipulates these two facts...

1. you get more than one day off per week, or more than 4 days off per month [which seems to mean you get 2 days off per week, even though they may not be consecutive days off.]

2. your work hours are 8 hours a day (or less) and 40 hours a week (including breaks). [the math here works out to a simple 5-day week maximum.]

[bearcat]

I could be wrong but as well I believe that it is potentially illegal for them to offer you(or make you adhere to) a two year contract.... especially if you are on a visa that is good for only one year.

1 year contracts are standard at any rate as well.

25-40 hours a week (most leaning to the latter)
250,000 a month (standard with some less or more)
2 days off a week(not always consecutive (50/50 chance i'd say)
Gardening?!?! First I've heard of that and I'd be highly suspicious of that. I've know a school try to require teachers to clean toilets though....
Vacations ranging from 1 to 10 weeks (big variance on this) And usually set in stone when... no choice.
National Holidays(though some require working on em)
Sick days(most often no)
personal days (many don't have em)


Thats about the basic size of it... remember there are tons more factors that can make the above variences more or less appealing. You might get for example a 250,000 a month 25 hours a week deal but little to no vacation, PLUS you have 2 hour commute times there and back totally 4 hours thus.

Or you might have 270,000 a month 40 hours a week 10 weeks vacation BUT 4 of those weeks dispersed in the year are counted as unpaid vacation meaning your salary is reduced to 200,000 a month( an approximation mind you) four months of the year(in other words one third of the year).

Etc etc etc. Too many variables for each case. You have to judge the pro's and cons yourself and go from there. And as well know yourself. If something like gardening (being out for 2-3 hours a day in 35degree weather in the summer for example or you have screaming allergies etc) is not you, then I wouldn't consider the job.

[Iwantmyrightsnow]

Glenski,

where did you get the info about 2days off per week? I am pretty sure it is wrong.

Unless the law has recently changed

Chapter iv
article 35

"An employer must provide at least one rest day per week." and to paraphrase..or at least 4 rest days per 4 week period.

The ministry of Labor has made some effort to instigate a 5 day week but the law isn't as such.

[Iwantmyrightsnow]

[PAULH]

From the general union website

http://www.generalunion.org



What are the maximum number of working hours I can be made to work, and is there any kind of premium if I work over these hours?
(Articles 32, 36, 37, 3
The maximum hours of work that you can be made to work is 40 over six days. Anything over this must be voluntary and even voluntary overtime work has a limit which is set by ordinance. This ordinance allows for overtime of up to 5 hours per week.
Work over forty hours must be paid at a rate of 125% of your basic salary and all work between 10pm and 5am must be paid at 135%. Work on your designated rest day (one day per week) must also be paid at the rate of 135%. Employers must also have what is called an "Article 36 Agreement" which is signed by either a trade union or a workers' representative. Without this agreement, which must be signed by either a trade union representing over 50% of the work force or a workers' representative, overtime, even voluntary, is not allowed. This agreement not only sets the amount of overtime but also sets how overtime is calculated (i.e. monthly, weekly, yearly). Please see the section on workers' representatives.