Job Discussion Forums

Mark · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 500 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Jut out of curiosity. Don't work there myself and I don't plan to, but I've seen lots of people refer to this policy, but I've no idea if people actually obey it.

It seems to me that since most NOVA teachers are new to the country and just out of school, they'd be unlikely to obey this as they probably don't have many other opportunities to meet people.

big dog · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 12

i am new to japan and nova..so I am not sure but I feel students have droped hits to do stuff...not sure but i think most of the teachers at my branc hang out with the students

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

Yeah, I'd be interested to hear from anyone working on Kyushu on this score. I'm starting somewhere there on 31st March and this aspect of the company's policy (or regime if you prefer) is the only thing that gives me serious cause for concern. I've had shitty jobs my entire life so I am not really that bothered about working conditions or horrible managers but I am coming to Japan to meet new people and new cultures; Japan being my main interest.

If it's been ruled illegal then, surely, they won't try to enforce it again. I know that that would be the way things would work in the UK and a few other jurisdictions I have studied. They may retain it in the contracts but enforcing is another matter entirely. Anyone bear me out on this?

big dog · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 12

my flatmate said that he knows a head teacher who shags students all the time while he has heard of others being fired

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

A word of warning:

They STRICTLY enforce the no-socialization policy at the MM Center. It's kinda ridiculous because most of your students won't even live near Osaka, where the MM Center is located. I think MM teachers have a harder time making Japanese friends than regular Nova teachers who work at the branch schools because the students are always taught over the television, they live too far away, and you rarely meet the same student twice. Even exchanging e-mail is prohibited.

As for getting busted, sometimes lessons are monitored by trainers or by customer service. So if you write your e-mail address on the screen or ask for theirs, you could get in serious trouble. Some students also might be a bit loose-lipped about their contacting you and other people may hear this and call Nova and inquire/complain about it. If Nova finds out, they might not fire you, but they could use this as a reason for not renewing your contract or not giving you a raise. You also might be asked to write and sign a letter saying that if you violate this policy again, you could be fired immediately. I think signing such a letter would exempt Nova from following the actual labor laws regarding this and allow them to fire you without paying you 3 months' (or however much it is) severance pay in accordance to Japanese law.

I really, really hope this policy is changed soon.

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

[quote="Zzonkmiles"] would exempt Nova from following the actual labor laws regarding this and allow them to fire you without paying you 3 months' (or however much it is) severance pay in accordance to Japanese law.
quote]

Not sure signing the letter would exempt them from the law but again who would take the time to fight the firing in court? Only hardheads and thank good there are some around.

Actualy, Japanese law only allows for 30 days notice or payment in lieu of. There is nothing about 3 mnths severance pay.

In cases of restructuring Japanese compaies will often pay severeance money because it is very difficult to "lay off" staff under Japanese law - it is much easier to have staffs agreement. hence the payoffs.

But again, this doesn't count at Nova at all.

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

[quote="Sadken"]

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

I just don't get this. In college, if a professor dated a student, the professor got in a trouble. Not just a slap on the wrist trouble, more like, consider this your final semester trouble. In fact, the TAs can't even have friends in a class. So I really don't see how the no socialization policy is such a big issue. It sounds fair. It's inappropriate for a teacher to mess around with a student. Now when this said student is no longer associating with Nova, all is fair. Much like the end of the term with a college professor.

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

bearcat · Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 367

sethness · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hiroshima, Japan

I've heard that the no-socialization policy began at Nova when, a few years back, a teacher had a party with students and SOLD DRUGS to students at the party. The gyu got busted, and the feces hit the air oscillator. Obviously, bad for Nova's reputation.

I've also heard that Novites are not permitted to even USE the word "drugs", but this could easily be just a rumour.

Being the cynic and Nova-hater that I am, however, I suspect the answer has more to do with finance. As in, why would a student pay for expensive lessons at Nova if the student can hang out with the English teacher for free, or perhaps get reduced-cost lessons on-the-sly from their favorite teachers ?

-----
The schools I've worked at have varying policies. Most encourage fraternizing, but no dating. One insisted on no dating of students, unless you change your schedule so you're not that student's teacher AND you're quite sure that this is the love of your life. Other schools don't care what you do unless it's an underage, married, or psycho student and/or teacher.

The main thing to keepin mind is, what do you do if the other students suspect that one studen'ts getting "special attention", and what would you do if the relationship (friendship or romance) goes sour ?

These are hard questions to answer.

I'm not convinced that Nova's solution is any good. Nova's famous for having one of the highest turnover rates...average time between hire and quitting is only 6 months...and I wonder how much of that is the sheer anomy of these poor foreigners steppign off the boat, and being turned away from the most obvious opportunity for local friends.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

To second (third?) how ridiculous the policy is and the ease with which one can be 'guilty' of being in violation thereof:

I was once invited (over the phone) to a meal in an Izakaya by a friend and fellow (non-Nova) teacher and took a Japanese friend along. The group at the Izakaya included two Nova teachers. Due to a mis-translation the teachers were led to believe that my friend was a Nova-student. They became agitated. In order that they would not have to get up and leave the Izakaya mid-meal so as not to knowingly break the no-socialisation clause and commit a sacking offence my friend lied that she was a GEOS student. She was in fact an ex-Nova student but this fact had been lost in translation.

I know of another Nova teacher who has been on holiday with one of her students. Discretion can be a virtue!

Insane!