Job Discussion Forums

[peggle]

Hi, I have recently accepted a position (stupidly got overexcited ) that I now feel is maybe not a great deal. Firstly, how binding is a verbal agreement? I haven't signed anything yet. I have been working p/t (WHV) since March and the company have offered me a f/t position. Now, the wages will be lower despite longer hours as I have been on an hourly rate. This in itself isn't such an issue, as wages go up fairly soon and pay is higher than standard eikaiwa rates. But, aside from visa sponsorship I can see few advantages - there is no paid holiday (nat.hols are unpaid) and no healthcare provision. So, this would mean paying nat. health right? Which as I have been paying tax for 7 months would be pretty high, unless I have misunderstood the information on this subject. To be honest I am worried about finding work given the current (nova) situation, and wondering if I should just stick with this. Upsides are weekends off, freedom to take other jobs when not working there. Of course, if I am bound by verbal agreement then all this is irrelevant, but any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

[Glenski]

You didn't sign anything. You're free.

No paid holidays at all, or just the national ones? You are entitled by law to certain paid days off, you know.

No copayments into health insurance? Exactly how many classroom hours are you expected to work? Less than 29.5 makes you a part-timer no matter what you think, and that allows employers to duck copayment of insurance.

If you've only been here 7 months, then there is still no record of your salary, so there will be no huge payments per month for national health insurance, but if you haven't paid for any at all in those 7 months, watch out! You will be expected to make backpayments for all of that time when you join. And, in your second year, the monthly rate goes up tenfold.

Just tell your potential employer you've had second thoughts, and if he asks why, tell him.
1) classroom hours are not the only way to judge how much a person works.
2) you are entitled by law to get certain paid days off.

[peggle]

Thanks Glenski, much appreciated. Nope, no paid holidays at all, not even national holidays. I didn't know there was a legal requirement for days off, will look into that...Classroom hours are unspecified, but the contracted weekly hours are above 29.5, and it is referred to as a full time position.

Re health insurance: at what point will there be a record of my salary? Is it calendar/financial year based? I have been here since Feb., working since March. At this stage back payment isn't a problem as it should be an affordable amount, but I thought that come March I would be making the larger payment - is that correct?
Thank you.

[Squire22]

Having just read your posts Peggle, I would be immediately alarmed at there being no paid holidays what so ever. Would you work for a company with no paid holidays in your home country? I realise this is a different country and somethings are different, but an awful lot is the same. It also seems to suggest that you would receive no paid sick leave either, is that also the case? If so, I would consider, ahem, forgetting whatever conversation you had with regards agreements, and as Glenski said, they don't mean anything. If it's not written down, the conversation probably didn't happen...

Best of luck