Job Discussion Forums

[mushroomyakuza]

Hi all

So, my employer want me to sign up for their health care deal, which has been decried by many. Basically I'd like to sign up for the basic government one instead - can anyone tell me how to go about this from the UK? Also, I wouldn't be needing it until March - can anyone advise? Much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Glenski]

What exactly is the health plan your employer wants you to sign up for? Some employers have their own plan, and the employer sometimes skims money off it.

Is it shakai hoken? You won't likely be able to opt out of it, and why would you want to? He pays half, and it takes care of more than just health care.

Besides, why won't you "need it" until March? If that is your start date, any insurance plan shouldn't even start until then.

[Ryu Hayabusa]

The basic government health insurance that I think you're referring to is called Kokumin Hoken (for short). You can't sign up for this until you are in the country and have an address.

[Apsara]

Ryu Hayabusa is correct. You need to have registered at a city office and have a visa status allowing you to be in Japan long term (i.e. working visa) to sign up for national health.

[mushroomyakuza]

Glenski, it's with Shane, who's health care plan has been refered to with mocking quotation marks...so, I'd rather opt for the government option, which is supposedly better and cheaper.

Problem is I think Shane may protest about me not having insurance before going there, therefore forcing me to go with theirs.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[Glenski]

Shane's system sounds a lot like NOVA's used to be (and they skimmed part of your payments). NOVA also tried to bully people into taking their insurance plan with the same tactics, stating you needed insurance before entering Japan.

Totally false. Just come and the next day go to the ward office and sign up for an alien registration card and your insurance (kokumin kenko hoken) and for the citizen's pension plan, too (nenkin). If Shane gives you any flak, just tell them you need these things, but the government says you are not obligated to take the company's insurance plan. In fact, if you don't, you may suffer a penalty after you finish working for Shane; if later you decide to take kokumin kenko hoken, the ward office may ask for backpayments on it for the time you were not on it.

Don't let an employer bully you just so they can make a profit off you.

[G Cthulhu]

[Hot-Carl]

Just to add, if they try to tell you that you need their insurance (Global Insurance, it's called) for your travel to and arrival in Japan... it's a lie. That insurance does not cover travel outside of Japan. Also, once you're working for them, MAKE SURE you check your pay stub to make sure they aren't deducting money from you for insurance. They have a habit of doing trying to charge teachers for their insurance who aren't on their insurance plan. It's so common that I'm not sure if it's actually an "error" or not. At least they correct it when you point it out. No need to let them tell you to wait until your next pay for it to be corrected, either. Demand they refund you the next day. They have to and they will.

[mushroomyakuza]

Sound advice guys, and perhaps I'm being dramatic here, but what if they say they'd be unable to give me the job if I didn't take the health cover? Do remember that I'm still in England at this stage.

What kind of response (seriously, a professional one) would you give if they insisted that I sign up for their health plan? However unlikely, I really don't want to jeopardise my job with them over this.

[ripslyme]

[Glenski]

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[Hot-Carl]

[Glenski]