Job Discussion Forums

unicorngirl · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 2

Hi, there.. I've got an offer from a language school in Japan but I can only stay there for half an year, so I'll need to break the contract. In the contract, it states that "In the event of termination by The Teacher pursuant to this subsection, Company may immediately relieve The Teacher of all duties and immediately terminate this Agreement, The Teacher agrees to pay damages up to but not above 4 weeks base salary." Does this mean if i decide to break the contract, I don't get paid for one month? Any advices are appreciated!!!

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

They might penalise you even for impersonating a native English speaker!

justcolleen · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 654 Location: Egypt, baby!

Why would you consider accepting a contract you know you won't complete?

Colleen

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

Why not just ask for a 6-month contract? There are some schools that will accept short term teachers.

Good luck!

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

Speaking from Japan, that phrasing looks terribly legalistic as if the school has had problems with teachers in the past. Red flag number one.

Plus, the way it is worded, if you quit, even if you give proper notice, you will be penalized. That is illegal. Red flag number two.

I'm not sure of the labor laws, but I THINK you can't be penalized that much for quitting early. Red flag number three.

Don't believe everything in a contract is legal.

unicorngirl · Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 2

Thanks for all the advices! ^^ I've decided to be honest with the school and see if i can get a short term contract.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

With the red flags that Glenski mentioned, if I were you I would forget about that school.

Several years ago a contract I received had some similar clauses. I advised them that I was not going to sign it. They said they would remove the clauses. I said: "Hey, you're trying to screw me over and I am not even your employee--so I am certain you would do so if I were. See ya around, chumps."

Then I received an e-mail from the guy who had recruited me, saying that he was leaving because they were screwing people over all the time....

A word to the wise.

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

When a school puts such ridiculous clauses in their contracts they only invite their teachers to leave without warning the day after they get paid. I advised a school about this last week. I didn't get the job because I refused to sign, and the pay was too low. I guess some other sucker signed instead. Good luck to the both of them if the teacher decides to leave early.