Job Discussion Forums

[mrjohndub]

I work for a large eikawa corporation at the moment. I'm not impressed with the company. I like my students and enjoy the work very much. I'm just wondering if there's something better for me that I could quickly and rather seamlessly switch to. I have no certificate for teaching English, just my bachelor's degree. My main gripe is that my company has kept me in limbo for almost three months (the whole time I've been here) about an impending move to another city...which hasn't yet materialized. A move to somewhere is necessary, but they are weighing the business options of where to move me and for what reason. This had led me to postpone many decisions that are important to me, such as: joining a health club (chains are not situated here), having friends and family withhold correspondence and parcels because I might move at any moment, forging social bonds and dating, setting up other recurring services and so on. It's better for my general well-being that this is resolved quickly and my company is being rather secretive about what is actually going on. I've been respectful in not demanding too much information too often. What's to do? Any recommended companies? I live in Kanto and would prefer to work within Tokyo proper. Thanks!

[Big John Stud]

I would say try to have a meeting with who ever is in charge of transferring you. Tell the person your predicament. The stress alone of not knowing when and where you going to live in the future is a hindrance to your teaching ability.
In the mean time start looking for a job where you want to live. Also read your contract about termination and quitting. Most contracts stipulate three months notice. Legally it is two weeks unless stipulated in the contract.

[spidey]

[Glenski]

[guest of Japan]

When you are in the first year of a job that contracts by the year you are expected to give three months notice legally. After the first year, two weeks notice is sufficient legally.

If the school breaks the contract then you can legally quit immediately.

[Doglover]

Question: I'm teaching English under a one-year contract. The contract states that I must give my employer three months' notice before quitting.
Is there a law on this in Japan?

Answer: The Labor Standard Law (Rodo Kijun-ho) does not specify any notification period. The Civil Law (Mim-po), however, stipulates that you must give your employer two week's notice of your intention to resign if your contract has been fixed without a specified period (Article 627, Civil Law).
Since your contract specifies the term of service, you are subject to the contract unless there are special "unavoidable reasons" (Article 628, Civil Law). You might encounter legal problems if you quit without giving your employer three months' advance notice. Violation of the contract by your employer or circumstances that have arisen which are beyond your control are sufficient justification for you to cancel the contract. If you fail to give three months' advance notice and quit without good reason, your employer may claim damages from you for breach of contract. Contract negotiations should include the notification period, which employers tend to make long because of the cost of recruiting foreigners and the difficulty of filling vacancies. However, the notification period should not be longer than is necessary, as this puts constrains on the employee. You should discuss the notification period with your employer before signing the contract.

(Request for Cancellation)
Civil Law Article 627.
(1) When the parties have concluded a contract without a specified period of employment, either party is entitled to request that the other party cancel the contract at any time. In this case, employment will be terminated two weeks after either party has requested cancellation of the contract by the other party.
(2) When the contract specifies the period of employment and wages, either party is entitled to request that the other party cancel the contract for the second and later terms, provided, however, that such a request is made in the former half of the current term.
(3) When the contract specifies a period of employment of six months or more and wages, the party wishing to cancel the contract shall request the other party to do so three months in advance.

(Cancellation of a Contract for some Unavoidable Reason)
Civil Law Article 628.
Even if the parties have concluded a contract with a specified period of employment, either party is entitled to cancel the contract in unavoidable circumstances.
However, if these circumstances are the fault of the canceling party only, he/she shall be liable for damages suffered by the other party.

[stillnosheep]

And in practice no foreigner in Japan has ever been taken to court after giving 1 month's notice to quit.

Slavery is over. You have a right to give reasonable notice to quit your job your job in the first year of your contract.

2 weeks is sufficient. 1 month is polite.