Job Discussion Forums

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Hello Wise Ones in The East

I am coming to Japan in two weeks on a spouse visa. I have been doing a bit of surfing around and noticed `exclusivity` being mentioned. I have made direct contact with one of the BIG 4 to clarify this and have been told that, despite them not having to sponsor me due to my having my own visa, they still "demand" exclusivity, and a minimum one year contract. They also reiterated that I couldn`t do any private work at all.

I have been reading the posts on this site for the last couple of months and there are obviously some knowledgeable people out there Laughing

. What do you reckon re `exclusitivity` and `one -year contract`; they both seem to be justified because of visa sponsorship, but I have my spouse visa that allows me to work legally anyway.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation.....................

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Thanks Paul H

I also have a degree and I am a UK qualified teacher with 10 years` experience. I just don`t have any experience in Japan and don`t want to sign `up` for anything that restricts me too much (ie limits my potential income)

Cheers for the reply Very Happy

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

With that much experience teaching, NOVA will be a severe step down. Be prepared for this. I suggest using them as a stepping stone after a year to get into a high school position.

Or just come on your spouse visa and string together as many part-time positions as you can handle. You'll probably make more money that way, and there seems to be a lot of PT work available now. You'll just have to contend with going to more than one place of business and handling a variety of work formats.

ryuro · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 91

Howdy,

While most everything people have said here is true, it's not entirely true that what you do in your time is entirely YOUR business alone. When what one does in their free-time compromises an employer's business or reputation, then what happens in one's free-time can indeed become the company's business.

"Exclusivity" or "non-compete" clauses as they're sometimes called are perfectly legal and, in fact, are quite common in both Japan and the U.S. (where I hail from).

They're usually included in contracts here in Japan, as I think PAULH mentioned, to keep an employee from siphoning off business from their employer (whether they are your visa sponsor or not).

Again, such clauses among others are perfectly legal and often they are designed to safe-guard an employer's reputation and client base from negative employee actions whether during company time or free-time.

Their enforcability, however, is an entirely different matter and although they are perfectly legal and company's would have every right to take disciplinary action against employees/workers who violated such clauses, I've known NO ONE who's been 'busted' for doing privates or other work on the side. Bascially as most everyone has said here, be discreet and don't poach students from an employer and you'll have no problems.

I really don't want to freak-out any newbies - it's totally acceptable and easy to do privates even with an exclusivity clause (remember discretion), however, from the posts I've read in reference to this subject, I think some would have it appear that companies are trying to do something illegal by including such clauses- not the case.

Anyway, good luck!
ryuro

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

Thanks for the replies.

I shall be discreet if/when I get a private student. In the meantime, my first aim shall be to get full (ish) (not foolish...) time work and take it from there. And yes, after working 40+ hours a week for a langauge school I may not want to pick up any privates anyway; maybe I'll just get the wife to work a bit harder/longer................ Razz

King Kakipi

ScottishMike · Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 45

you might get busted. It IS possible, but just be careful and you won`t.

With your experience the big schools will expect you to be looking for privates.

It`s possible to get a part-time contract, given your visa. It can be written into ANY contract (FT/PT) that you can teach on the side, but it`s up to you to negotiate it.

Bear in mind that the fact you have experience will NOT be a persuading factor for the big schools.

(I`m surprised they hired you with that much experience)

(That`s actually a compliment, though it may not sound like one)