Job Discussion Forums

[Sweetsee]

Shouldn't my employer have mentioned this when they hired me?

[Sour Grape]

In a perfect world, yes, but life isn't fair. I only found out through talking to colleagues that my job has a limit on how long you can stay. Still, you'll know to ask the question in future interviews, so look on the bright side.

[Gordon]

Unless you ask specifically, J- employers won't divulge any information that they don't need to. If you don't ask, they probably won't tell you.

[Sweetsee]

Fair enough, demo zuruiyo.

[PAULH]

[Glenski]

[Sweetsee]

I had one year contracts, now finishing the second.

They told me this week that next year's is the last.

They will be hiring someone to replace me after that,
go figure.

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

[[email protected]]

I'm against these foolish laws that make it difficult for employers to fire people. This is the end result- almost no company in Japan will keep you for more than three years because after that time it is almost impossible to get rid of you- even for a good reason.

People who have no fear of losing their jobs often get complacent and lazy as time goes on. Productivity declines. It is one of the main reasons why governments are so ineffecient. It is also why private schools are on the whole much better than public schools ( This statement will no doubt generate some hate mail).

The only real guarantee of keeping a job should be doing a good job. Of course there are some managers out there that treat employees badly, but there will always be some of them around. Quit your job then, and go work at a better place.

This is precisely why all the school boards are going to dispatch companies- it is not to save money but so they can get rid of bad teachers.

[Brooks]

yes, but then good teachers lose their jobs, only to be replaced by fresh gaijin.

[PAULH]

[Sweetsee]

I now better understand the position of the board and thanks every one for your replies. It is true, and that was a very nice post gimp, they use the 3-year-rule to keep you down, and just as many things in Japan appear unfair to us, it is simply a case of them not knowing anything but to go by the book, however outwardly lame it may seem, for to them we do not exist, truly.

But Paul you mentioned something about them allowing the contract to lapse and conceivably I could ask them to do that for me, I would take a sabatical, one year, if need be, and then I could have three more fun filled years. I could pass up the underling there now as well as the fresh talent. But first I will have to bow and scrape on Monday in kocho-sensei's smoke filled chamber c#m trophy room. And I don't have a problem with that because as lame as it may be there, I am just hitting my pace and the timing would fit perfectly with my original exit strategy from the USJ.

Anyway, I had a meeting today with the shop steward and he goes up against those guys on a regular basis, hates them too, in Japanese, and to answer your question Paul, my Japanese sucks, ashamed of that but it is the reality. Never the less, he is pulling for me and as much as I don't believe they will waver on their decision, I have been mulling over the lapsing idea and I will propose it--don't laugh.

But you are right, I do have a year, and, this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise, which wouldn't surprise me in the least, trust me. If I told you how I came to be where I am now, you would never believe me, not in a coons age. Who knows, we could rent out our tricked out pad and spend a year abroad--oh yeah!

It's all good, all part of the plan.


Bon weekend,
s

[PAULH]

I am now on my second three year full time contract and will be looking around for another job this summer. i am also considering looking outside Japan as well.


The three year contract is an occupational hazard, and dare i say it a fact of life. Everyone is different and some people are happy teaching 15 or 20 classes a week at several schools so they dont lose everything after three years. Being a part timer is not something i really want to be doing when im 50 and have kids in university. As you know jobs at universities (and high schools) are drying up, so its incumbent on the foreign teacher to continual improve his or her skills, get qualified, publish, learn the language and network continually, even in your off-years.

i have just picked up a part time job for next year at a school i worked at part time 5 years ago as I knew the teachers there and they put me on to other work. Rather than sitting on your ass for two years and then wondering what hit you in your third year when they dont renew you have to be continually keeping your safety net and parachute in order for when the time comes.

PS I think it would be a major paradigm shift for your school to suddenly turn around and offer you a permanent job after a three year contract. it just doesnt happen and most school committees are not really equipped to make those decisions. they take the path of least resistance and simply offer a three year non-renewal. It would take an actual lawsuit and you taking them to court, and them actually justifying why they are not renewing your contract in court, for things to actually change.

Most teachers simply accept it as final and move on in a version of 'Musical chairs'. Unless you can get a tenured permanent position you are basically resigned to getting a new job every three years, unless you challenge them on it.

[Sweetsee]

Paul I never said I would get a permanent job, I will ask for 3 more years after a year off. But I was thinking, we could swap jobs, you and me.