Job Discussion Forums

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

That's me. Principal asked for a word and dropped the bomb. I asked for a translator and he refused until finally the chief told him to go get one.

First they said it is the 3 year rule, I said the sister school has a guy who has been there 8 years. I said they asked me to come here when I had a job. I said no one ever mentioned the 3 year deal.

They said it was a financial decision made by the board. Yet, this year they took on a 2nd kyoto sensei, while his counterpart dozes at his desk beside him.

I said why me, why not the new teacher--no answer. Funny because the new teacher told my student about next year's plan, how she will be teaching such and such a course and how she will be going abroad on the school trip. I assumed this was wishful thinking on her part--wrong. They obviously are replacing me with her. Which works.

Wish they could have told me this before I signed on for the mother of all insurance policies in order to purchase our condo.

Wish they would just pay me the contract and be done with me.

If there is a lesson here it is that in the money machine, work like it is a one time thing, don't give anything of yourself. But if you are like me that is impossible, but I will try. I suppose in my final year here I will fit in very well.

When one door is closed, when one door is closed, many more will open...

Enjoy yourselves,
s

abufletcher · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:45 am Post subject:

I got laid off of my very first ESL job the day after I got married! A state budget crunch meant that half the staff had to go immediately. I suppose it's no surprise that that was also the moment I started looking at jobs overseas.

All you can do it start looking for that next job and be as professional as possible for the sake of your students during the remainder of your time.

Best of luck.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Thanks Abu, I hear you.

Sherri · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:38 am Post subject:

Hi Sweetsee
Do you think it is because you are pregnant? Did you ask for maternity leave?

Sherri

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Hi Sherri,

Don't think so, didn't ask for leave. Really don't know what is going on, besides a great deception. I feel like a bomb has torn through my insides and left my body standing erect but everything inside has been torn apart.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

That's so dirty, the way they did that.

Hang in there.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

When you say new teacher, do you mean a new foreign teacher? Is it a private high school or a public one? When you started at your school, did you have a 1 year contract that just kept getting renewed? So, basically, you have a month to go?

On the bright side, you now have to start looking for a job with some time to go instead of finding out in March.

But, maybe this can be a lesson to so many actually thinking about buying a place in Japan...not worth the risk unless you're tenured. Depending on the city you're in....tough go.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

"When you say new teacher, do you mean a new foreign teacher? Is it a private high school or a public one? When you started at your school, did you have a 1 year contract that just kept getting renewed? So, basically, you have a month to go?"

Canuck: Yes. Private, of course. Yes. No.

Hi Liz,

Thanks, you are sweet.

Enjoy,
s

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

When does your contract end? This March or do you have another year? That is terrible, sorry about that.

A little over 4 years ago I got laid off from my job and my wife's airline went out of business (just after 9/11). We lost thousands in the airline stock AND this was 2 weeks before our first child was born. Oh yeah, my mother-in-law asked for a $5,000 loan so she could buy a brand new car. We couldn't afford a brand new car! That was a lousy week, but things improved. You're right, I believe when a door closes, another opens.

Sherri · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:56 am Post subject:

I worked for a company in Tokyo for just over 10 years. When the banks foreclosed, we discovered that the top management embezzled company funds and we nearly went bankrupt (so close, it was in the papers). In the end we were able to restructure the debts and then were bought out by Benesse (the company which owns Berlitz). Even though I wasn't fired, I had to leave since I couldn't get used to the changes and the direction the new management was heading. It was a horrible situation. I think I have some idea how you feel especially about the betrayal.

In the end it worked out well for me as it did for a number of my colleagues who found new lives and new directions we never would have discovered. It took time.

Best
Sherri

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Sweetsee, I'm very sorry to hear about your suddenly developed situation. If I understand correctly, you still have a year to go, so use the time to your advantage.

And as it seems you will soon be bearing a child it sounds much more burdensome. I hope you can get some support from your partner if need be.

At least you know that a new adventure awaits you.

Birdog3344 · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 126 Location: Osaka, Japan

Sweetsee,

Hang in there. I have a feeling things will work out for you in the long run. In retrospect this will be just a small bump in the road.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Thanks you guys. It means so much to me to get your support. I do have another year and I do believe that this bump in the road, despite the feelings of betrayal, is all a part of the grand scheme of things.

Enjoy,
s

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Do you have lost job insurance? By law you should have been getting it, if you have been that you can go to your local Hello Work and receive benefit if you don't find a job straight away.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Very unusual Sweetsee, that the school would give you that much notice. In some ways it is good as you have time to plan your next move, though I admit usually we all want to change jobs when we choose to do so, not when we are forced to do so. Hang in there, I am sure something might pop up.

Are you looking for ths same gig or something different? The reason I ask as I sometimes find out about jobs becoming available, but not usually high school jobs.

Ganbatte Cool

!

PS
I am starting one new job of five myself (4 unis now and teaching business classes), and I feel that is a little stressful, but I grabbed the new uni because it was a decent uni in Tokyo, thus lowering my commuting time on one day this next academic year. Plus generally for part-timers, it is better to spread yourself around, as you don't know when someone might lower the boom giving you a bad schedule or just cutting you down to nothing Rolling Eyes

.