Job Discussion Forums

fluffyhamster

I had a few interviews in mid-February with several dispatch companies, a bit earlier than usual, because apparently the BOEs in northern Saitama especially have 'gotten their act together' or something this year (probably just means they are ultimately looking much harder now for the lowest/best-value bidders).

Two of the companies have offered me a job, but have yet to present me with a contract to sign, because they aren't entirely sure where the work will specifically be (I should also say that I've expressed a preference for schools that are as close as possible to where I currently live, because I've just renewed the contract on my apartment and don't want to relocate to what might be the middle of nowhere, even if the employer will be providing the accommodation). It's kind of just 'Yep, we like the look of you and want you to work for us, we'll send you a contract soon! Here's a sample one for you to read through in the meantime'.

Obviously I won't wait forever, and would prefer to sign a contract sooner rather than later...I'll get on to them again soon...anyway, I was just wondering why things were taking so long (considering the process was begun earlier, it should also finish earlier, right?), and if anybody has any horror stories about possibly being scr*wed by companies going back on their promises of work.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Howdy Hamster,

You are hoping to start work in April and you haven't heard from those people yet?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:53 am Post subject:

I've interviewed with both companies and was verbally offered work at or soon after the interview in both cases.

Company A has gone on to send a "Welcome" email, along with aforementioned sample contract attached. They've been pretty prompt in answering any questions I've had (e.g. about completing a health examination, or joining their health insurance scheme, or who exactly will be paying the unemployment insurance etc), but the bottom line is, 'Please be patient because we're still in the process of securing contracts with BOEs and won't therefore know how many teachers we'll be allocating exactly to all the various towns we deal with'. I'm therefore assuming that their firm offers of work are based on accurate estimates of the number/type of contracts they'll be awarded, and that they haven't been promising the moon to every Tom Dick and Harry who's walked through their door (that is, I'm assuming they do and will indeed have a job for me somewhere, even if the location isn't ideal in relation to my present location).

Company B said they would contact me soon after the interview with a date to go and meet the people at the BOE (they were much more specific about the exact area), but so far I haven't heard back from them at all (certainly not to the extent of Company A).

I'm not sure which I'd prefer to work for, but Company A seemed the more keen, has more western management, and looks the more promising at this stage. In terms of pressuring them, though, I'll start off with Company B first just to know where I stand.

I can't remember exactly when I got hired last year, but it was probably around mid-to-late March, so it's probably early days still (hence me saying these BOEs are "on-the-ball" this year), but I obviously won't get complacent about not pushing these guys for something in writing, and although I won't say it to them, they are surely aware that the longer they delay, the greater the chances are that their prospective teachers will look and sign elsewhere.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Okay, I see. Did you discuss salary with A?

fluffyhamster · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:59 am Post subject:

Yes, the salary was made clear at the interview and is stated accurately in the sample contract.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

So, basically they have guaranteed your positon, verbally?
Sorry, you probably said that.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:29 am Post subject:

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

Why do you put up with their BS?

You say the BoE are on the ball but you oughta get some balls man! You know their contracts are illegal gyomu itaku. Why you living like a slave? These companies depend on people like you who tolerate scofflaws. Why are you whinging here about it then?

kdynamic · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Japan

fluffyhamster · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:16 am Post subject:

I wasn't aware that I was whinging (I'm happy if I get a regular/average wage, including paid school vacations at the very least, and assistance with health insurance). I was simply asking if anyone had previously been offered work by a company (yes, we all know who the suspects are) only to have been blown off by them later, just before a contract ought to have been signed. If somebody mentions the name of either company then I'll step up my continuing jobsearch a further notch or two.

Obviously, this whole gyomu itaku shebang is undesirable, and I'd prefer to be hired directly (with JET-style benefits), but with more and more BOEs using agencies to hire and fire (in the process saving themselves any hassle and a fair bit of money, even with the agents' commissions), what choice do many of us have? I'm certainly not going to go without any sort of job for the forthcoming year just to make a political statement.

I think about all that most of us can do in the short term is refuse to accept any further lowering of wages (by not applying to the total cheapskate recruiters e.g. 200K FT pcm. Yeah, right, hold me back!).

einsenundnullen · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 76

Fluffy,

I think a lot of BOEs haven't decided what they're doing yet--especially the BOEs of larger cities. I'm in a situation similar to yours. I figure next week or the week after, if something's going to materialize it'll happen then. If they're hiring for April (some have said May), they've got to get around to it soon.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:17 pm Post subject:

Yeah, but I just wondered why there was the mad rush to interview me three weeks ago, unless perhaps the BOEs I'll be working for are taking an extra-long time this year to decide for some reason.

womblingfree · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 826

Be really careful with dispatch companies.

Many dispatch companies make Nova look like employer of the year.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Fluffy as long as you are keeping in touch with those folks it shouldn't be a problem. They were rushing you because they want to have heaps of people ready to go when the crunch comes, surly they will take care of the people they want and only you know if you are one. With company B who you haven't heard from and haven't followed up, I presume, well maybe you should get updated with them. At the same time, I would go by every one of them I could, so as to cover the bases myself.
Good luck to you and let us know.

Serendipity · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 36

I tried the "dispach company" route, and it was hilarious.

After applying to various companies, doing the interview thing and lots of communications, one of them came back to me with great joy, "We'd like you to come in and sign the contract!".

To get this in to perspective, it was 3 weeks before the start of the school year (and therefore, also my visa), they weren't sure which school I was going to work at, the pay hadn't been finalised, the hours were not decided... I was like, "You're kidding, right?".

By that time, I already had something decided. The moral is, whatever you do, don't rely on these companies without some kind of backup. I think it serves me right for being too lazy to find something else..