Job Discussion Forums

[cellyinthez]

Hi Everyone,

I have a bit of a weird problem. First, I have 3 years of experience in Korea, a degree, and a CELTA. I was interested in working in Japan, so I started a job about 6 weeks ago near Tokyo at a small language school. The working hours are low, the kids are great, and the other teachers all had good things to say during the interview, and I had a great first week there.

Then, the owner showed up.

All of the other 3 foreign teachers there have had almost no dealings with her, including the one that has been there more than 2 years- they barely ever saw her. However, now she is at the school every day making our lives, and especially mine, miserable. I believe she has some sort of mental illness or is in the middle of a mid-life crisis, because her behavior is bizarre and abusive, and making me unable to remain at the school.

She flips out frequently and publicly (around Japanese/foreign teachers) harangues teachers for minutiae (example: a teacher held his hands at a slightly lower angle than 90 degrees during a hello song and she mocked him for 5 minutes and and kept demanding he explain why he wanted to look retarded), and has made us begin working during our break periods flyering to recruit more students. Just last week, she found out that 2 of my trial students had signed up for permanent courses, and her response, bizarrely, was to insult my physical appearance, ask the other shocked teachers what they thought was wrong with me (his face, his brain?), and then make me demo the class again over 1 hour while mocking me and saying that everything was wrong and asking again and again why I was so strange.

All of the other foreign teachers are near the end of their contracts so want to finish, and she has directed most of her ire at me. I would have quit already, but I have another problem. Though I mailed my documents for the visa over 1 month before the start date, I found out that she hadn't actually submitted them until a week into my contract, so I am technically illegal, and don't have my visa yet. It's been 6 weeks, so I will likely have it soon.

Here's what I want to ask: I've heard that quitting a job in Japan is relatively easy, and I just have to find another job and explain to them why I quit the first one (and not to insult the employer; I will just say that the school is having financial trouble and making me work extra unpaid hours).

So, as soon as I get my visa, should I just resign immediately? I have never broken a contract before and wish I didn't have to, but this situation is unsustainable.

Unfortunately, the contract has a three-month notice stipulation, but I heard from a Japanese teacher who's been there ten years that a problematic teacher five years ago got into a debate with the owner, who flipped out, yelled at her, and fired her on the spot. This event may actually help my situation, as I have friends I can stay with in Tokyo, savings, and there are lots of jobs nearby that require a visa.

Sorry for how long this is, but I am bewildered by this situation, haven't heard of it happening in Japan before, and just want to ask for advice before making a move.

[kzjohn]

First, my sympathies for you in this situation.

From what I've heard, two weeks' notice is the legal requirement, the three-month period in your contract is probably not valid.

If I were you, I'd have my phone at ready all the time, so that you can video or at least record audio of what is happening.

[water rat]

Do you have enough money to leave, maybe return to Korea, your homeland or another job there? If it were me would make a point of humiliating the owner lady in front of everyone, especially the paying customers by yelling right back at her and storming out in the middle of the workday. To me this would be the essence of departing if not gracefully, then with style and flair. Do it for the precious memory to share with your grandchildren. After Japan slides into the sea and ceases to exist it will seem especially funny.

[RM1983]

Where do you stand on wages? Are you up for taking action? Is your apt rented through headcase woman?

[steki47]

And that is an eikaiwa owner.

You have my sympathy. Collect your money/visa/spine and get out.

[cellyinthez]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I definitely plan on letting her know why I'm leaving in no uncertain terms in front of the other teachers, but not in front of students probably. I will also write a warning online after I leave.

The other teachers are my friends, and she has never been funny with the money before, and will likely face a revolt from them all if she does. She is also strangely very generous with providing teachers up to half their pay in advance if asked, which the other teachers all used when they were new.

My apartment is unfortunately in her name.

I do have extra money, but definitely want to collect what I'm owed here before leaving. I do want to stay in Japan, but am applying to many jobs everywhere just in case.

[Shakey]

First, you cannot do anything without having a work permit / visa. Once you get that, walk out. Do not even take the time to explain it to her - it would be pointless and a waste of time. Just walk once you receive your visa and, if you can, your final salary.

Do not allow her to degrade you like that.

And then write all about it once you are gone so that others may see what kind of an abusive employer she is.

[nomad soul]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[cellyinthez]

Thanks for the responses. She's on vacation this week so it's a little better, I check my mail every day for the visa.

I'm already looking for new jobs, but there isn't an overwhelming number, and I need to explain at every interview my situation (that I've been illegal so far, am quitting after a few weeks, and don't know exactly when I'll have my visa), so it may be better to wait until I get my visa to even interview. I do have one interview on Thursday.

If I can get another job before I leave, it would be ideal, though the exact timing will be difficult. When I do receive it, I plan on giving my notice, and informing her that I will no longer participate in flyering outside of my work hours, will teach by my own proven methods, will not participate in any teaching demonstrations for her, and will leave the room if she starts trashing on me. I anticipate that she'll fire me on the spot, which would be devastating for her business but realistic from my experience with her. This may actually help my timing by immediately freeing me up.

[cellyinthez]

Hi,

I'm posting a follow-up, and unfortunately it's not a happy one.

So, the owner refused to give me my visa, and just gave me my money and a flight ticket out of the country. I talked to numerous former teachers and she has never done this before, always supplying a visa. I believe she simply didn't apply for the visa on time and realized I wouldn't have enough time to get it, and knew that I wanted to leave anyway.

I am out now, and much happier in another country.

Since I have left, she has gotten even worse. She has begun mysteriously deducting other teachers' pay, and deducting pay for minutiae, which is openly illegal. Unfortunately, the teachers with visas all want to keep their jobs and finish their contracts, and so won't stand up to her, even though I've warned them that it will only get worse.

I just want to make sure that she doesn't do this again to another teacher. Can I name and shame the school on here? I don't want to expose the site to legal problems, but I also want to warn other potential teachers.

I also recorded her admitting to numerous illegal things. I've already reported her to the local international center in city hall and immigration, but I want to warn teachers as well.

[Unrung School Bell]

If you named the school it would get moderated. You could however drop a few obvious hints. Like tell us the woman's name translates into Flower Girl In the Fields or tell us what the name of the school rhymes with... that sort of thing.

[rtm]

[Maitoshi]

I say name and shame! I don't think it will cause problems unless it's a sponsor of the site.

[Yokaides]

Looks to me that the lady in charge was jealous of you, hence your situation could be unique to you. She paid for your ticket outta here, gotta give her credit where it's due.

I wouldn't shame her, she could have connections, and you may want to return to Japan one day.