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mintxleaf
Joined: 11 May 2009
Posts: 47
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 Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:39 am Post subject: Recontract: for a period less than a year? |
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I work as an ALT for Interac and started August of last year. I just received a call from my "boss" mid-day on Friday. He called and asked to give a yes or no about recontacting for the following year (April 2010-April 2011) early next week (ridiculous, right?)... here's my question:
Is is possible to renew my contract for a period less than a year? (ex: renew from April 2010 until the end of the first quarter, ~July or August 2010)
I'm definitely sure I do not want to stay for another entire year here. I know there are many new ALTs arriving in August (just like April is another big time for companies to hire) so I was wondering if I can negotiate with my "boss" to make my contract until August. Since there's only 2 weeks or so in-between 3rd Quarter and the new school year, if I stay for another quarter the summer would give me time to pack and move on. What do you guys think?
PS - I know some people leave their contract early, but I really don't want to go through the hassle of arguing about deductions from paychecks for breach of contract (as I'm reading other topics on this forum like this one: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=77350&highlight=quitting). My current contract (Aug 2009-March2010) says to give a 30 day notification and that "Employer may take legal action for any damage caused by Employee due to termination of contract" = threats & illegal deductions from paycheck. This is something I would like to avoid early on, which is why I'm wondering if it's possible to negotiate a contract that ends in August.
Since I've only got 2 or 3 days to make my decision, any suggestions/information would be appreciated! Thanks.[url][/url] |
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Amarok
Joined: 02 Jun 2009
Posts: 47
Location: pineapple under the sea
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 3:57 am Post subject: |
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Let's put it this way:
What benefit would there possibly be for the company in allowing you to stay for just part of a school year? Why would they do that? I sincerely doubt that it's possible for you to get a contract for just a term of school. They have plenty of people lined up who would like jobs for a full school year, so it wouldn't be worth the hassle to have to replace you halfway through the year. In addition, I'm sure the BoE wants someone for the full year, without having to worry about replacing you in the middle of that, and Interac is probably eager to assure them they'll have somebody for the full run. I don't see any reason why they would be compelled to let you stay for just a bit when there are lots of people ready to take your place and nothing but hassle in letting you do what you want to. |
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mintxleaf
Joined: 11 May 2009
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:12 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks Amarok. Yea, I think you're right. I'm just frustrated right now since they give me just a weekend to think about this. I've applied to several jobs that I think I have a good chance at getting but don't hear back from them for a few weeks (some don't finalize until end of Feb). It's just too soon for me to give them a YES/NO about next year's plans. Should I just tell them to give me more time to think about it (a few weeks)? |
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seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:20 am Post subject: |
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You can't do that I'm afraid. The reason they need an answer now is because if they need to replace you with an overseas recruit they have to start the visa process around now.
The BOEs also have a say in who the accept from Interac, so they'll need an answer and possibly time to consider candidates. |
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ShioriEigoKyoushi
Joined: 21 Aug 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 11:40 am Post subject: |
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Last edited by ShioriEigoKyoushi on Tue Mar 23, 2010 2:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Inflames
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 486
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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| ShioriEigoKyoushi wrote: |
| If I were in your shoes I'd accept the renewal to give myself time to think (the time they should've given you in the first place, no?). Then, if you decide to leave in August, just give notice and scarper. Providing you give the legal and reasonable notice, they probably won't make a big deal of it. People do dirtier things to companies like Interac all the time. |
I agree with the first part, but never underestimate Interac and their ability to do appalling (and illegal) things. A friend of mine had Interac withhold two months of his pay over a training manual (that Interac says they say will deduct 5,000 yen or so if you don't return it).
The important thing to keep in mind is that BoE almost certainly haven't made a decision on which company to use so this new contract might just disappear in some random Interac form e-mail (probably sent the morning you were supposed to get your new contract).
To the OP: Take the "renewal" (it's not really a renewal as most Interac contracts aren't renewable but rather a new contract) then quit whenever you want. Technically your renewal isn't for a year but around 11 months (middle of April until the middle of March). Did you know that in your contract gap you can go on unemployment? I'd hassle Interac to get your unemployment documents in order, then, the day after your last day, go to Hello Work. |
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ShioriEigoKyoushi
Joined: 21 Aug 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by ShioriEigoKyoushi on Tue Mar 23, 2010 2:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 1:12 am Post subject: |
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| Amarok wrote: |
Let's put it this way:
What benefit would there possibly be for the company in allowing you to stay for just part of a school year? Why would they do that? |
Because they (the school/BOE) like the ALT? Granted, dispatch companies can shuffle ALTs in and out (and some do!), they would like a customer (the school/BOE) to be satisfied, even temporarily, and especially if this is happening on short notice.
| Quote: |
| I sincerely doubt that it's possible for you to get a contract for just a term of school. They have plenty of people lined up who would like jobs for a full school year, so it wouldn't be worth the hassle to have to replace you halfway through the year. |
What hassle? That's my whole point. He can continue satisfying the customer, and in the latter half of the year (just like the JET program does), bring in a replacement! As you said yourself, places like Interac have plenty of people lined up, so there's no hassle. The schools/BOE use dispatch companies precisely for this hassle-free convenience that takes the hiring/firing out of their own hands. |
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seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
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| Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 2:18 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| What hassle? That's my whole point. He can continue satisfying the customer, and in the latter half of the year (just like the JET program does) |
This is one of the complaints many of our schools have about the JET programme. They have an ALT already at the beginning of the year who is settled in and knows the ropes, but then enters a new lot of first years and possibly JTEs who then need time to get used to the ALT. Then mid year just as everone is getting into a rhythm, the ALT is then replaced with a newbie who has no teaching experience, possibly no work experience and needs to be babied at a time that is becoming quite hectic especially for SH and JH teachers and 3rd year students who have to start considering entrance exams.
Our schools have many complaints about the dispatch system, but one thing they all agree on is that it is better to have a single ALT for the entire year (one of the BOE bigwigs told me they prefer each ALT to stay more than a single year if possible) from the beginning of the academic year which is usually the slower, adjustment time anyway.
In our area, there are very few JH JETs and the ones there are, are pretty much all resigns. JH ALTs are actually incharge of part of the testing for the 3rd years' reports. This is normally around October time. So having a new ALT brought into the JH in September is really a hassle for the school. |
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GambateBingBangBOOM
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 4:06 am Post subject: |
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| seklarwia wrote: |
| Glenski wrote: |
| What hassle? That's my whole point. He can continue satisfying the customer, and in the latter half of the year (just like the JET program does) |
This is one of the complaints many of our schools have about the JET programme. They have an ALT already at the beginning of the year who is settled in and knows the ropes, but then enters a new lot of first years and possibly JTEs who then need time to get used to the ALT. Then mid year just as everone is getting into a rhythm, the ALT is then replaced with a newbie who has no teaching experience, possibly no work experience and needs to be babied at a time that is becoming quite hectic especially for SH and JH teachers and 3rd year students who have to start considering entrance exams. |
There is a very simple reason for the JET program to have people start in the late July- early August period- that's when universities in the northern hemisphere are finished. If people are spending what amounts to almost an entire academic year applying for a job, the people at CLAIR don't want to lose everybody due to "Uh, gee thanks, but I finished school back in MAY, and I didn't want to be unemployed for ten or eleven months, and I'm not leaving my job now".
A benefit is that it makes it considerably harder for people to finish JET and teach at another school, because most jobs (with the exception of replacing mid-contract bailers) start in April. The program exists as a giant PR move- they want people to go back so happy about Japan that wherever they work will decide to do business with Japan. A risk is that JETs may quit on them before the end of their contract (this risk is often met with supervisors who act surly towards more qualified people in an apparent attempt to make the JET with qualifications afraid to leave. This kind of approach may work with Japanese people, but it is only more likely to cause a foreigner to walk because it makes them hate, not their job, but their boss).
| Quote: |
Our schools have many complaints about the dispatch system, but one thing they all agree on is that it is better to have a single ALT for the entire year (one of the BOE bigwigs told me they prefer each ALT to stay more than a single year if possible) from the beginning of the academic year which is usually the slower, adjustment time anyway. |
They should start hiring directly, then. (I noticed you didn't mention your schools having a problem with the fact that so many of the JETs [and the dispatch ALTs] show up with no experience or qualifications. Why is that?) |
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seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
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| Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 4:42 am Post subject: |
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| GambateBingBangBOOM wrote: |
| There is a very simple reason for the JET program to have people start in the late July- early August period- that's when universities in the northern hemisphere are finished. If people are spending what amounts to almost an entire academic year applying for a job, the people at CLAIR don't want to lose everybody due to "Uh, gee thanks, but I finished school back in MAY, and I didn't want to be unemployed for ten or eleven months, and I'm not leaving my job now". |
I know there is a reason it is the way it is. But that doesn't change the fact that it can prove inconvenient for schools. And so now JET also has to compete with the fact that dispatchers will supply ALTs when the schools ask.
| Quote: |
| I noticed you didn't mention your schools having a problem with the fact that so many of the JETs [and the dispatch ALTs] show up with no experience or qualifications. Why is that? |
And I didn't mention it because it wasn't what we were discussing. But since you mentioned it, another complaint our BOE had about JET was that pretty much all the ones they have been sent are always fresh out of uni and still in party mode when they arrive. I've heard some amazing stories about some the JETs that have been here in the past. Despite the fact our schools would like experienced ALTs, they pretty much accept that many ALTs arrive with little or no teaching experience, but they never ceased to be amazed by how some JET ALTs have come here to party and not to work. JET is a great programme, but many of the fresh faced grads it has brought in in the past have done little to paint a good image for JET. |
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mintxleaf
Joined: 11 May 2009
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| If I were in your shoes I'd accept the renewal to give myself time to think (the time they should've given you in the first place, no?). Then, if you decide to leave in August, just give notice and scarper. Providing you give the legal and reasonable notice, they probably won't make a big deal of it. People do dirtier things to companies like Interac all the time. |
| Quote: |
| To the OP: Take the "renewal" (it's not really a renewal as most Interac contracts aren't renewable but rather a new contract) then quit whenever you want. Technically your renewal isn't for a year but around 11 months (middle of April until the middle of March). Did you know that in your contract gap you can go on unemployment? I'd hassle Interac to get your unemployment documents in order, then, the day after your last day, go to Hello Work. |
Renewing sounds like a better plan than deciding not to. I know it's not a solid plan, but since I only plan to stay in Japan for one more year, I'm still debating whether to stick around with teaching. But at least renewing will allow me to continue for nowand not have to worry about looking around and securing another job in the upcoming 8 weeks or so until the end of the contract.
Thanks guys. I really really appreciate all the input!! |
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lenoreelux
Joined: 30 Nov 2009
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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| In my opinion, I think that it is unfair that some of us newbies who are signing contracts and know that we will be there for a full year contract and we are waiting to hopefully get assigned before we travel out to Japan so that we know where we are living so that we can get settled in and get comfortable and not have to move again when they do get us a placement.. If I have to get stuck at one of the main offices and wait for a placement because you decide to stay but know that you are leaving the middle of the year or not, well, I am sorry but its just wrong. You have to think about the school AND the new person who is willing to stay in Japan either for at least a full year OR longer like I am planning on doing. Why don't you just go and private tutor or something so the rest of us who are in it for the long term don't get screwed??? Sorry if i seem like a bitch but come on... I am nervous enough about being placed and I do not want to deal with being in limbo. I want to start a new life and job too ya know. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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| GambateBingBangBOOM wrote: |
| There is a very simple reason for the JET program to have people start in the late July- early August period- that's when universities in the northern hemisphere are finished. If people are spending what amounts to almost an entire academic year applying for a job, the people at CLAIR don't want to lose everybody due to "Uh, gee thanks, but I finished school back in MAY |
But, GambateBBB, people actually DO graduate in May or early June at the latest, not July or August, in the USA anyway.
The only real reason I can imagine that JET sends its ALTs in August is that it is a dead time at the J schools, so the ALTs have a bit of time to adjust to surroundings before being thrown into classes. As far as getting an inexperienced ALT who needs babysitting, I believe the BOE or school itself can request certain things from CLAIR about its ALT. Perhaps there aren't enough of the experienced to go around.
| seklarwia wrote: |
| And I didn't mention it because it wasn't what we were discussing. But since you mentioned it, another complaint our BOE had about JET was that pretty much all the ones they have been sent are always fresh out of uni and still in party mode when they arrive. I've heard some amazing stories about some the JETs that have been here in the past. Despite the fact our schools would like experienced ALTs, they pretty much accept that many ALTs arrive with little or no teaching experience, but they never ceased to be amazed by how some JET ALTs have come here to party and not to work. JET is a great programme, but many of the fresh faced grads it has brought in in the past have done little to paint a good image for JET. |
Dead on for the general public's image of JET ALTs. As for any other newbie to Japan, employers often face the same thing. Too bad nobody really tries to find people who are not in this frame of mind (or has experience) so as to avoid such crapola. And, people sometimes wonder about the nature of my responses on these forums...no, it's not meant to shoo away people in general, but sometimes it comes off like that simply because too many partiers really give us long-term teachers a bad name, too. |
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ShioriEigoKyoushi
Joined: 21 Aug 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:10 am Post subject: |
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Last edited by ShioriEigoKyoushi on Tue Mar 23, 2010 2:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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