Job Discussion Forums

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

Text deleted

[I Oughta Know]

LWP had a copy of his contract in hand before he departed the USA, and was aware of the timing of pay. The company-provided apartment rent (along with utilities) would be deducted from his 1st payment, so he was instructed to bring sufficient cash to support himself for the 6 weeks until his first payday. He was provided with a car and gasoline at no charge from the day of his arrival.

All that being said, I fully agree with you all. The 2 week unpaid training was CRAP and was never in support of it. That is just a single example of a very long pattern of unjust management practices the owner has engaged in!

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

Text deleted

[I Oughta Know]

Shiori, what he says after the fact does not match the facts. He had a 1 year contract. Term was April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. He was asked to come a few days early (no specific time, but more would have been better than less) to get acquainted with the town, "school" and NUMEROUS (way too many, really) locations of the classes spread over a 100km area. I did clearly tell him via email that because he would not be paid for the end of March period, there would be no rent or utilities charged for the period.

In fact, I believe he was disappointed in being located in a small city far away from the "action" he imagined Japan to have. In addition, he was supposed to teach 2 large college-level classes the day after his sudden departure, and I suspected he was ill-prepared and had very cold feet about the assignment.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

Text deleted

[flyer]

according to my J wife

not getting paid for training is quite common in Japan. She said she had to do it more than once

I have to admit I wouldn't be very happy about it, I suppose it would depend on the kind of job, the package as a whole. A few days (though) would be no big deal but weeks is another thing (IMHO)

[JimSwill]

I always wonder how according to some Japanese people foreigners should have to suck it up and accept "Japanese" working conditions for this reason or that reason. I don't care if Japanese people often have to do something. It shouldn't be the case here. In this situation the owner is simply trying to weasel two weeks of free work out of an employee. It's not like we're putting together a nuclear reactor here. If this owner wants a higher level of employee then, he should state that in his advertisement. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find someone with an extra two weeks of training. But, that's not what this company is all about is it?

I am always willing to give in to slight inconveniences but, I have to draw a line when it comes to not being paid. There is no greater cause for stress. Especially on top of the stress of uprooting your life and taking a chance in a foreign country. People who prey on teachers are the worst kind of scum.

People that take the risk coming over here often have so little support that, if they don't feel they have it from the school that has promised them something (a salary), running to somewhere more secure is a fair response). If you make someone wonder if they will be paid, you should not be surprised that they take off. It was foolish to tell this guy he would have to wait 6 weeks.

If a school overlooks any detail having to do with my pay I am on them like a hawk. There is no need to go through the stress of wondering how you'll be paid. It's that simple.

In this case the guy ran before the company had a chance to make it up to him (or screw him any further). And that makes him a bad person? Get with reality. No one has to stick with any company longer that they feel.

[fluffyhamster]

That is one thing I hate about Japan - having to wait up to 2 months for a paycheck. Frankly, it's ridiculous. Even schools in China paid pronto, often in cash, after no more than a month, whilst in the UK weekly payment is often the norm, especially for this sort of work. (More posh jobs may well pay monthly, but then, that is usually after no more than a month - if the first payday comes before a full month, then you get what you've worked basically, fair and square). Weeks stretching into months plural hints at cashflow problems and/or (more likely) strained finances, a skimming of so much off that paying employees is never absolutely guaranteed or indeed a priority at all - which of course can be a source of considerable stress. Then throw in a dodgy deduction or delay or two, and anybody would be ready for flight or dare I say a good fight ("trouble"). At the very least, employers should be prepared to offer a man or two in advances per week to keep the wolf from the door (or rather the sheep from it, baaing pitifully ).

[OneJoelFifty]

[fecosbill]

This post is quite old but I feel compelled to comment on it, since it is one of the only things that comes up when you search the net for 'Lee Rose English.'

I have been working for the company for nearly two years. I started some time after all the aforementioned events; in my time here I have seen nothing like this happen. Not even close.

The people involved, management and employees both, are long gone. I never met them. I didn't know this story until an interviewee sent me a link. Finding this post was as surprising for me as it would be for a curious prospective employee. I would hate to think that the above story would discourage someone from working here.

All I can say is that it sounds like a completely different company now. I work under different circumstances, it would seem. I have nothing bad to say about the company; I am soon leaving my position only because I want to relocate to a more urban setting. I have always been paid on time, for all hours worked, always with advance knowledge of when payday is.

The company is A-OK by me.