Job Discussion Forums

[General Union]

The Osaka Bar Association on Tuesday urged Osaka-based Nova Co foreign language school to lift a ban on foreign teachers dating students and to nullify past dismissals of teachers for breaking the rule.

The management of Nova, however, said it "does not plan to remove the ban as it has been set in order to protect both the teachers and students from trouble as they do not know each other's cultures and customs." (Kyodo News)


Please stay posted for more information about how the union will now proceed. It took over a year to get this ruling, but it was well worth the wait. If you're interested in fighting NOVA's socialization policy, now is the time to join the union.

Also, if you've ever been fired for socializing, please contact us at
06-6352-9619.

More posted shortly.

Dennis Tesolat
General Union - Vice Chair

[fat_chris]

Hey, General Onion!

I am curious to hear what faults the Union finds with the rule by Nova (no go?) against teachers dating students.

Sincerely,
the fat one

P.S. What a coincidence! Your name is TESOLat and you are in the TESOL industry. Far out!

[PAULH]

Chris
from what I read the newpaper article misinterpreted what the union was fighting about.

The Union wasnt trying to get NOVA to allow teachers to date students, it was fighting against their rule that forbade socialising in any form, with students outside work hours. this includes two females, one a teacher and one a student who wanted to go on a visit to some temples. Another one was a female teachers asked on a trip to an onsen with a 65 year old married couple. Another teacher was fired becuase his fiance, a former student at NOVA began studying at another branch of the company. Under NOVA rules, all of these were impermissible, and being allowed to date students was only a small part of the equation. The issue is adult teachers of either sex being allowed to associate with whoever they wish, whenever they wish without outside work hours being branded as some kind of sexual predator by the company.

[PAULH]

I might also add the non-socialisation policy only applies to non Japanese staff and teachers, not to the Japanese office workers at NOVA and as such is discriminatory against foreign workers. Not sure about the fine print but it at least contravenes a few United Nations conventions banning discrimination on the basis of race and nationality etc.

[Chief]

I'm glad to see you mention the United Nations because I just watched a press conference with Kofi Annan. At first, his big concern seemed to be Iraq, and when there might be elections. He feels that elections shouldn't be held until the country is ready for them, even though the U.S. is pushing for June. He's in a tough spot because by suggesting later elections, he may appear to support the continued American "occupation" of the country - perhaps even longer than the imperialistic Americans want. He also spoke about Haiti for a short time but it obviously wasn't his top priority. As your posting suggests, he finished the press conference by stating that the United Nations' first priority in all of the world, as always, is to help English teachers in Japan to get laid.

[ScottishMike]

HeyGU!

I got fired for it, but they trumped it up and said I was also offering students professional services - this will be the way they go I reckon if they have to give up the socialisation rule.

Anyway, to be honest I`m not too fussed about it all. I`m still here.

But, if I can help you, then please ask.

[Iwantmyrightsnow]

[ashburn]

I like the reason they gave for not reversing this work practice.

Why can't they just be honest and say they don't want teachers and students dating or they don't want to find students disappearing as privates?

As if the statement they gave sounds any more reasonable. hahahha