Job Discussion Forums

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Newbies are often surprised by how strict eikaiwas are with lateness, but punctuality is culturally extremely important here, and if you are 2 minutes late you will have a class full of paying students sitting waiting for you while the Japanese staff apologise profusely and then quite possibly have to refund the students their entire lesson fee. A teacher who is late a few times in a month could be a reason for students deciding not to renew their contracts with that school.

Not saying the eikaiwa's fines are reasonable or justified, just giving the perspective of the other people (students and Japanese staff) involved so you see why they often do have that kind of clause.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

You are required by law to have either of the two forms of insurance if you are employed by a Japanese company.

Like Apsara said, punctuality is valued. You have to be at work on time.

When they say 37 hours, do they mean working hours or contact hours? There is no way to sustain energy for 37 contact hours a week.

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

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I agree Glenski, every eikaiwa I worked at had that kind of clause- actually with harsher fines if I remember correctly, and we also had the people who would consistently show up 5 minutes late the first couple of months- until they saw how that decimated their salaries when they were paid!

Some of them were incredulous about the fines, and still just completely oblivious to the hassle they were causing other people.

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

Maybe I'm just from the "old school" world of life. I always come a little early, no matter what job I have. Gives me a little time to assess what needs to be done, if not just to be sure I'm there on time when the job starts, barring weather or accidents.

For EFL teachers, like eikaiwa, many people have never had any job, so they have total lack of a work ethic or discipline or awareness of what work entails. Some also tend to think of overseas work like EFL as more of a vacation where they can get paid to show up and speak their native tongue, and do little more.

Pretty sad all around.

tmax500 · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

It was 37 classes of 44 minutes each. I know about punctuality there but I think it's being used as excuse to reduce the salary: 6000yen less for being over 1 second late (up to 24000 max in a month) is unreasonable even in Japan. The insurance thing looked unappealing to me too.

The worst thing was having to wait so long (many weeks asking) to see the contract; I really should have thought of that when I accepted the job. So I'm back to square 1 in the job search since I accepted it 2 months ago!