Job Discussion Forums

[Glenski]

You should all be aware that NOVA tries to skim by on paying what it should for insurance and pension premiums. To do this, it uses only your classroom time as its measure of whether you are FT or PT, I believe.

That means if you have 8 classes, 45 minutes each, per day, you total 360 minutes, or 6 hours of work a day. Multiply that by 5 days a week, and you get 30 hours per week. I don't know how NOVA calculates a 29 hour work week, but to not include the 10 minute breaks between classes is a pretty low tactic to avoid paying what it should.

The union is looking to change this lowhanded scheme (not only done by NOVA).

I would ask just exactly what is entailed in a "29 hour week"? Even if you are in the classroom itself as long as I have described, you are still in the building longer for lesson prep, between class breaks, paperwork on attendance and student progress reports, interviewing students, etc. and you should be paid for that accordingly.

[Yong-sama]

tbiehl2000, funny you mention that 29-hour week thing.

I don't work for Nova anymore, but a mate of mine in the multimedia centre mentioned the other day that Nova are trying to trim down the number of teachers, and therefore presumably costs, possibly due to some overexpansion they indulged in a few years ago. I left Japan in 1998, and when I came back in 2001 I could believe the number of new small branches that had sprouted up near lots of minor stations, in my case in the Osaka area. I heard that some of those, especially in the inaka, are closing down.

All things considered, this would have cost them big bikkies, and I guess it has caught up with them. While I'd seriously doubt they're in deep trouble, it looks like they're reducing the number of teachers through fewer contract renewals, non-replacement of leavers, and fewer hirings --with those at lower cost.

Any current Nova people care to confirm or deny what I've said?

On the upside, a few hours less might help to preserve your sanity a bit longer, and give your further opportunities to get extra part-time work.

[melirae]

Someone who is working full time at the MM Center is working about 37.5 hour work week- we are scheduled for eight 40 minute lessons per day (unlike the branches where they teach eight 45 minute lessons). We have a 10 minute break between most lessons, but there are a few in the afternoon where we have a 15 minute break. You are at work for the length of 9 lessons because one lesson period is your lunch break. The actual time at the center varies based on your schedule- earlies, lates, splits, nights, etc. so some people will have longer work weeks, but not much shorter than about 37 hours- you still are only scheduled for eight 40 minute lessons each work day as a full time instructor. Not sure where you saw the 29 hour work week unless you were looking at the reduced schedule option they offer.

As for non-renewals, I do know of a couple of people who didn't get renewed, reason given was because of their attendance record (since they missed about 25 days in 10 months, seems reasonable), yet people in the same orientation group were offered renewals. As for new teachers, I met a guy right before the holidays who has only been at NOVA for about 6 weeks, so people were still being brought in right up through the latter part of November. I think they didn't bring in new people in December because most of the trainers were on holiday.

I don't know anything for certain about hiring. It will be interesting to see if there are some new groups coming in over the next few weeks. As for bringing people in at lower salaries, all the info on the NOVA site is the same as what I saw when I first applied. I think there must be some confusion with the Flex-Schedule versus a Full-Time Schedule- see info below copied from the NOVA website:

Salary Ranges

Sponsored teachers will start on a salary of between 250,000 and 259,000 yen per month. After the initial probationary period, certain qualifications and types of working shift can increase your salary up to 320,000 yen.

Flexi-schedule teachers work fewer hours and will start on a salary of between 161,000 and 202,000 yen per month. After the initial probationary period, certain qualifications and types of working shift can increase your salary up to 223,000 yen.

[tbiehl2000]

Well I don't think I am confusing the full time with the flexi time. The reason I say this is because the manager of the Boston office told me that the pay rates advertised have yet to be updated. The letter they sent me offering an interview specifically indicated that they are offering a 29 hour work week. That point was underlined in the letter. It wasn't until I asked the guy at NOVA if that meant less money and he confirmed my guess but was not able to tell me exactly how much less.

[nicyvesweet]

When I interviewed with Nova in Chicago, I was told that I'd get a probationary salary of 250,000 yen in any city that wasn't Tokyo (which is like 275,000). After probation, I'd get an increase. I'm not sure if that helps anything, but that's what I was told, and it wasn't that long ago, so...

[Deconstructor]

I think if you look professional, are in your twenties and have a North American accent, you couldn't lose the job even if you tried. On the other hand, if you don't meet the above criteria, especially the age and accent, don't bother showing up.

[Deconstructor]

Oh I forgot: hope you're white!

[nicyvesweet]

I'm not white and I got my first choice with Nova. Just be professional and upbeat.

[BrianL]

hey all, i just interviewed with NOVA in chicago, literally just about an hour ago, and i can say that they are offering 29 hour work weeks with reduced salary (reduced from what was advertised on their website when i had applied) but the nice lady interviewing me said she thinks the website was updated now...i don't know as i haven't checked. also, i don't know if i did such a good job in the interview, but i still hope they extend an offer on a contract, so i am hoping that the above post is correct about not being able to lose the job if i tried.

[worldwidealive]

Yep, looks like the salary amounts have indeed been lowered on their site, but I see nothing about the drop in hours during the work week mentioned on their site - they still say it is a 35 hour week. Also interesting to note is that they have also lowered their possible raise. They use to say 20,000 Yen as a possibility on a contract renewal and now it is at 15,000. At any rate, their starting probationary salary is now between 225,000 and 244,000 which is a fair amount lower than it used to be for a full-time position.

WWA

[tbiehl2000]

I was told that the 35 hour work week is actually only 29 hours of actual teach time. That's what they told me. I'm not sure how that all works out. I think the 35 hours includes lunches and breaks or something like that. That's why it says 35. If they send you an invitation for a job interview the email will probably say "29 hour work week"...whatever.

[Zzonkmiles]

[canuck]

[bornslippy1981]

I haven't started with Nova yet, and should be getting my visa back this month.
Will these salary changes effect people who have not yet started?
I have photocopies of everything I've sent in, but based on everything I've read about Nova, is it likely I'll find out a week before leaving that my salary has been cut? The salary on my contract was the rate prior to these cut backs.

[Canuk girl]

you won't find out what your salary is until the very end of your orientation session IN japan.