Job Discussion Forums

Industrial Helix · Joined: 16 Apr 2011 Posts: 12

Hi, I'm looking for opinions on my circumstances at work and since you all have experience, maybe you can help.

I have a job at an eikaiwa in Tokyo and I'm finding that I am very unhappy with this job. The biggest problem is the schedule and I'm not so sure if this is normal. I work very irregular hours. For example, in a day might be at work for nine hours but only actually work seven hours. This Tuesday I was at work from 11:30 AM to 9:45 PM. However, I only had students for 7 of these 10 hours and consequently received pay for only the seven hours. My week is quite haphazard as well. Friday I am at work from 1:30 to 8:45 PM and then Saturday from 7:45 AM to 6:15 PM. I am told, this is due to the students selecting the time in which they will attend lessons.

Are all Eikaiwas set up like this? Is this normal for an English Teacher's schedule? I mean, I understand it all can't be cakes and flowers, but I find myself desiring some regularity to my schedule. Perhaps I made a mistake when I got into this business.

Thanks for any help or advice.

ironclad80 · Joined: 10 Sep 2009 Posts: 53

you should consider yourself lucky to have a teaching job in japan, in tokyo of all places! i've been slugging it out in korea just waiting for an opportunity like that.

jillybean · Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Posts: 32 Location: JAPAN

So you kind of have a spit shift. That can be brutal!! I would say it's not exactly normal (most schools are around 1-8 or 9pm I think, with earlier hours on Sat.) but it's not unusual, either. You have to be at work even when you don't have students? And you're not getting paid for that time? Maybe I'm not understanding...but whenever you're at work, you should be getting paid. Even if you're not teaching a class. If they're unwilling to pay you for that time, then you shouldn't have to be at work then. It will be refreshing to have breaks in between classes, even if you've got classes all spread out over your day. Re-negotiate. Or look for something else!

whispechoes · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 20

Er, I admittedly don't have a TON of experience involving eikaiwa in Japan, but you having to be at work but not getting paid if you don't have any students is new to me. I haven't heard of that setup before, and it doesn't sound like a very good one.

Anyway, no, that's not a normal schedule as far as I know. Some places might expect a split shift (i.e. a few hours in the morning and a few hours at night), but from what I can tell from the big 3 eikaiwa companies, you usually get a set schedule. I know for sure that you do with ECC (they hand you a schedule at the beginning of the year you follow all year long), and I'm pretty sure it's the same with Amity and Aeon (they mention on their site you should be at work from something like 1-9pm, and you get paid for all of that).

If you're unhappy, maybe it's time to go check out a new school, or even try going for an ALT position instead if eikaiwa's really eating at you right now.

Whatever you do, good luck and hang in there!

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

aynnej · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2011 1:39 am Post subject:

Industrial Helix · Joined: 16 Apr 2011 Posts: 12

Did I know when I signed the contract? Well, kind of yes and kind of no. In hindsight, I should have investigated more into the working conditions but I didn't really know what to look for at the time. I mean, if I were to sign with another school, I would know exactly what kind of questions to ask. But it's in the past now. I remember asking what the working hours were and was told that they varied from day to day... so I assumed 1-9 on one day, 12-8 on another, ect. I find myself now with 6 hours 12-6 and then one hour 8-9. It's real strange. It's a lot like when I was a tutor in the US but I have no control over when the students come, whereas in the US I could say that a time didn't work for me or arrange a better time.

Other times I end up at school for ten hours but half my students cancel at the last minute and I end up spending 4 hours there without pay.

Basically, the system is almost exactly like being a private tutor without any of the benefits of being such.

saloc · Joined: 04 Jul 2003 Posts: 102

So, if I'm reading this right you are getting paid per class but basically working full time for this school? They should really pay you a monthly salary. Yes, it is normal to have non-teaching hours - indeed it is basically necessary for prep etc but all of that would be included in your set monthly wage. Most full-time eikaiwa teachers have a set monthly wage which may allow for overtime pay but shouldn't allow for deductions based on students who don't show up at the last minute.If you are getting wages docked for no-shows there is something wrong. You are there and ready to teach, you should get paid. Does the school allow last-minute cancellations where they adjust the student's fees accordingly? Very odd if they do. Most eikaiwa students pay a set monthly fee and (with the possible exception of some one-on-one students cancelling with enough notice) those students pay whether they come or not.

It sounds like a poor set-up.

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

Regarding no-shows by students, when I was in eikaiwa, I was paid monthly based on the classes I was assigned to teach. One term, there was nobody, and I asked to cancel the class. Manager said no, and he kept the course open just in case someone signed up. I asked what my "duties" were for such a thing, and I argued (politely) that since I was there for the full period (80 minutes), I should not be docked pay. He agreed, but he insisted that as a compromise I should physically be in the classroom for the first 30 minutes. So, I brought in something to read and did just that. Sat for 30 minutes and got paid for reading, then I returned to the teachers' office.