Job Discussion Forums

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

seklarwia,
To say "you have no reason to complain" is an expression. It was meant to follow up on the fact that you know some information from the union page is false yet choose not to tell them about it. So, as the expression is intended, if similar announcements are made on this forum with regard to that union info, you really have no reason to say anything bad about it again (i.e., complain) because you have decided not to help fix it.

As for things in Japan being "black or white", I'm a huge proponent of the gray area. Have been for over a decade. But since this point about you knowing something and refusing to tell the union in order to help others in similar situations, that's pretty cut and dried unless there is some reason (which you have not given) for withholding. I'm not asking you what that reason is, but since it is unknown, we have equal reason to make the B&W call here.

Kaycie21 · Joined: 21 Jul 2010 Posts: 14

I can't believe I signed up just to post this, but anyways.

Glenski's posts are usually very helpful, even if he doesn't have first hand experience. He has helped many people, even if it is with simple links that they were too lazy to look up themselves.

Regarding the original topic.. He did respond to what the OP asked about working as an ALT and how to land the positions. His dislike for dispatch agencies are somewhat allowed because they are shady, and like any other business are only out for themselves.

If your curious... I've worked for Altia and Interac.

To the OP: Don't be scared off by dispatch companies if you don't mind them, just stay with the big named ones and you will be fine.

seklarwia · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:03 am Post subject:

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

mdoor · Joined: 16 Jun 2010 Posts: 54

seklarwia · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:11 pm Post subject:

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

seklarwia · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:47 pm Post subject:

Glenski:
Nice! It only took me telling you 3 times that you didn't know my situation so keep your opinions to yourself and then sharing 3 words which is now allowing you to start publically announcing my private matters that I wished to keep private to satisfy you. Don't you think that if I had wanted to share even that much I would have done so in the first place. So why should I have to share things that I don't want to just to get you to stop judging my actions? And I did not "let the thread roll on". If you had let the subject drop after I told you the first time, we wouldn't be here.

Glad you are finally finished with telling me I'm wrong for not to be doing what you think is right. Perhaps you will remember in future before assuming you have reason to judge others, especially if they are warning you off the subject...

mdoor:
Please don't think we are too united in thought. My gripe with Glenski is that he was sharing his opinions on my personal decisions despite knowing nothing and then continued to push the issue after me telling him not to; not that he posted the links in the first place.

He has info to share and takes the time to share it. Although in many cases it is difficult to become a true expert without firsthand experience, you can still learn a great deal from others and from reading. If you think there is an error or that info is dated and no longer relevant, point it out.
In the few posts that I have seen of yours recently, you seem to be trying more to discredit him rather than to be helpful.

There are horror stories out there that should be treated as one offs and there is info that should be taken with a huge pinch of salt. But at the end of the day dispatch is still dispatch; there is a huge gap in the benefits received in dispatch in comparison to some better direct hirer jobs. And whilst some dispatchers might not always be nightmarish to work for, there are more than a few companies that have earnt their horrendous reputations.

As I said before (but he obviously didn't understand), I do not pass judgement on the fact that he doesn't have firsthand experience, etc. I do not think he is part of the problem for sharing links especially to what should be a reliable resource (i.e. the GU). I, like I'm sure many others will agree, think that in the majority of instances he is of great service. I think the problem is that these days even supposedly trustworthy resources are either accidently or delibrately putting out false/misleading information (yep, found quite a bit of misleading info/wording including in their most recent Interac post, which coincidently is about health checks... go figure), so it is no longer always so clear what to and what not to trust.

mdoor · Joined: 16 Jun 2010 Posts: 54

ssjup81 · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:47 pm Post subject:

Hm, in my opinion, the most important thing to take into consideration is that "ESID" thing. Every Situation is Different. I'm working with a dispatch company too and I haven't had any problems at all with the company (*knocks on wood*), but all the information I tried looking up on the company was old and outdated and aside from the pay, I never came across any major complaints against the company itself, which is why I decided to go ahead and take the position, even though I was hesitant because of the negative posts I'd come across. I've never come across anyone complaining about the work conditions or being underpaid or even being paid late...mostly just the pay rate.

It seems that more people would gripe about something in general as opposed to those who don't have any problems (or haven't had any problems) at all which is probably why we see more negative posts about a company more so than positive ones.

Either way, bottom line is that ESID. Some people have good experiences, some have bad ones.

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

In summary, there are differences in opinion on the quality of employment opportunities at public schools when working with dispatch agencies. One opinion drawn from posts read on various Japanese job forums and the union site holds a negative view on how dispatch companies treat their employees. In contrast, members with first hand experience or spoke directly to someone employed with dispatch companies mention positive experiences working for dispatch companies and suggest information on the Internet about particular dispatch company work conditions is old or outdated and dispatch companies should be approached with an every situation is different philosophy.

I feel the two camps make valid points and that perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between, but that there are unquestionable industry problems with the dispatch portion of the alt industry.

From what I have seen on the Internet, dispatch companies appear to contract at 29.5 hours a week and thus avoid having to enroll teachers in the national pension system. Salaries tend to be significantly lower than direct hire alt positions and some are even less than 250000 yen a month. Many dispatch teachers complain of conflicting demands (usually schedule) between their school and dispatch company. Some complain of managers in dispatch companies who advise teachers with dispute that they either have no idea or to just shut up and grin and bear it.

If you can live with some or all of these issues (and a few others I forgot to list), dispatch work could be a positive experience for you.

Personally I would ask myself about work experience in a public school I was thinking of working at:
- What is the salary offer?
- Will the salary increase over time?
- Are there any temporary lay off periods (summer holidays?) Where you are not paid?
- How is the management staff of the agency that hired you (dispatch or DOE)?
- How is the environment, staff, students at the school you work at? (This is really a quality of work question)
- How easy is it to retain your position or seek another similar position if you get excessed from your school?
- Is your work good for long term employment (if this is a concern to you)?
- Does your employment provide help (financial or otherwise) with your visa, medical etc.? Housing?
- Are you happy with the location of the job offer and hours of work and # of days off?
- Are there any possibilities for bonuses?
- How do the overall benefits, salary, conditions of work compare with other alt positions?
- Is there an overall decline or stassis in the benefits, salary, conditions of your employment?
- Are you happy with your life doing the job?