Job Discussion Forums

[alicat_blue]

Hey gang, I just had to get a load off my chest and I couldn't find a better place to do it, so here goes nothing...(Gulp!) I've been at a tiny eikawa here in Fukuoka for almost ten months now and on paper it seems like the ideal job. I have a decent salary, my apartment is paid for by the school and I don't work on the weekends. However, my boss hates me. I know this sounds petulant and crybabyish, but she really does and it's not because I'm a bad employee. I work hard and do a good job of teaching, I actually enjoy teaching. But, ever since my arrival, she has formed an image of me in her mind, that I'm lazy, stupid and drag my feet. I swear on whatever cross or grave you need me to that this is not the case. She's called me baka twice, has come into the bathroom to get me for classes, harasses me about the time I take for class preparation, berates me for taking too long at anything, refuses to even try to understand my English even though I talk in clear and simple terms that I know she understands. Eavesdrops on my classes, etc., etc... This is only the tip of the iceberg with her. And the sad thing is, she's actually ruined my experience here in Japan. And, I know it's personal because even though she gets snappy with the other employees, it's nothing like the Voldemort-y attitude she has with me. Why have I stayed so long? Because I was sure that things would get better. I thought that once she saw how great of an employee I was, she would realize she had been in the wrong. Nearing the end of my contract, I am sad to say that this isn't even near the case and I'm readying to go back home with a hopelessly distorted image of Japan because of her. I don't know what to do, I guess I just wanted a little advice or (sigh) I don't know.

[southofreality]

If you think you want to try a little more of living in Japan, why not look for another job? Hopefully, in ten months you've found other things to base your opinion of Japan on besides your boss.

Anyway, you've had a rough ride; Hope it gets better for you, whether or not you leave Japan.

[alicat_blue]

Thanks for the commiseration. It's really what I need more than anything. As I said before, although her treatment of the other employees is nowhere near five star, her treatment of me is much worse. I think, no, I know, that it's because of some narrow-minded prejudgment she has of me. I'm pretty laid back, some might say almost like a hippie. I'm thirty-two, a little chunky, not the most beautiful woman in the world. And she is in her sixties, ultra-conservative, kind of crazy and worshipful of success and money. As soon as I saw her look when I got off the plane, I knew there would be trouble, albeit not as bad as all this. Maybe it was all the silver jewelry I had on, maybe it was my zero gauge earrings. In any case, the other employees have nothing to gain and everything to lose by backing me up. And you know what? I don't expect them to.

[Glenski]

Ok, so that's your side of the story. How about hers?

1. Just why would a boss have to retrieve an employee from the bathroom to get to class? Were you dawdling, sick, hung over, etc.? Did this happen just once or a lot? Why?

2. Why would she feel the need to criticize your lesson preparation time. Just how much did you take vs. how much did she expect? What exactly was necessary to do?

3. You take too long for "anything"? Like what? Just how true is this? Do you understand how much time is expected before you start on it? Do you procrastinate?

4. Doesn't understand simple clear English? Aw, shucks. This is Japan, not the USA. Don't expect the boss to kowtow to your language requirements. Learn some Japanese and use it.

Want advice? Well, if the fault is entirely hers, don't renew your contract. If there is a gray area there, consider what to do.

[gaijinalways]

I have to side with Glenski a bit on this one, we need a little more information. Are you much slower than the other teachers, and is your visable lesson preparation time much less than others?

Some small school owners here are pretty dictatorial in my opinion, so I hope you don't feel too isolated as many are in a similar boat. Some schools are better run than others, though in my opinion many schools in Japan are simply a business, run by someone who doesn't know a lot about education, and even less about teaching a language.

[alicat_blue]

So Glenski. About preparation time, I teach around twenty-three classes a week aside from the proof-reading work that we do. Ten of those classes are for little children so I need to make flashcards, plan games, etc., etc. My bench of a boss allots me about two hours in an entire week to do this. The other employee has about nineteen classes and two of those are children's classes so , naturally, her preparation time is less. I could take around three hours for preparation if I was left to my own devices, and I don't think that's too much, taking the children's classes into account. As far as other tasks go I can proofread a ten-page physics paper in about two to three hours so as I said before my work ethic is not at fault here. Also, she has come to get me out of the bathroom twice, both times there was still like five minutes before the class actually started and when I confronted her about it and pointed out the time, she went around and changed all the clocks. As far as speaking English, I'm not stupid enough to come from the USA and expect everyone to speak fluent English so please don't patronize me. The thing is, she does speak English and when the other employee speaks to her, they communicate fine. She just has a mental block when it comes to me and I may as well be speaking to a brick wall. As far as renewing my contract, I definitely won't but I am sad to say that I will never advise anyone else to come to Japan either, based on my work experience.

[stevenbhow]

Sadly, in Japan image is everything. You are probably right about your employer's negative first reaction when she met you at the airport. Being 60 and from Fukuoka, one the most conservative areas in Japan, she probably wrote you off right then and there just because of the way you dressed. I had a similiar experience when I first came to Japan about 5 years ago.

One trick I learned was to dress and act as conservative and professional as possible until you have shown your employer that you are a competent teacher. Then, go out to dinner or drinking with them a few times and dress in your usual style. Usually they will be impressed and make lots of compliments. Then you can explain to them that this is how you dress normally. Often they will be much more open and accepting to the way you want to dress and allow you to change your style in the classroom as well.

[SaganWasHere]

[alicat_blue]

To Steven, thank you for acknowledging that image probably is everything at least in her eyes. I'll admit that when I got off the plane, I was looking pretty bohemian. But at work I dress in the appropriate semi-formal office attire, nice slacks and a blouse or a skirt. I don't wear much jewelry at all and my hair looks nice enough. I've gone out on a couple of dinners with her and she treats me the same way some people might treat an exotic pet or monkey, laughing at all my attempts to speak Japanese and talking down to me in an infuriating way. It's come to the point that whenever there is an office dinner, I beg off with an excuse about my stomach hurting or PMS or something. To Sagan, I agree with what you say about meeting halfway. If the employer is willing to hire people from outside the country with the understanding that they don't speak the language, that employer should also be willing to try and communicate to them in their native tongue. I also agree with a previous poster that her interest in teaching only extends to how much yen it will bring in and not an enjoyment or understanding of the actual process of teaching itself. She is straight money-hungry.

[SaganWasHere]

Good luck, anyway. I hope this experience doesn't put you off Japan. Don't let one bad experience change your life for the negative, you know?

There are many opportunities in Japan, and if you don't feel like you can continue as a teacher, there are opportunities to become a student as well.



Also:

[Shonai Ben]

MOD EDIT
Start looking for a new job asap.There are lots of good places to work here.You just have to do some searching.
Don't let this experience ruin your stay in Japan........

[AgentMulderUK]

Alicat,

Sounds like you didn't measure up to her theortical/fanciful image of what a westerner should be. Narrow-minded boss. pff

You are clearly bright and articulate, ideal teaching qualities. Your boss is a silly cow really and either can't get her priorities right or is maybe jealous of you somehow; Whatever it is, it's her problem, but she's making you suffer for it.

Just get out of there. That will kick her up her conservative arse.
You could drop here a note explaining why you are leaving. You never know, it might frighten her, but to be honest sounds like she's not worth the time of time.

Personality clashes are pretty much a no-win I suppose unless both sides seek a diplomatic solution. I can't imagine the bitch-boss from hell putting on her diplomatic hat though.

Mulder

PS Have you considered a Yakuza hit squad?

[alicat_blue]

To Shonai, you're right. I do need to get out of there, and how! My contract is up at the end of August but I'm seriously at the point where I'm actually considering doing a runner. Or if not a runner, than at least leave in the next month or so. I blame myself for staying in this situation for as long as I have, I should have left much earlier when the red flags were a-wavin'. The thing is, that aside from her the rest of the job is aces, especially the free apartment and I've been scared to give it all up and jump into an unknown situation, jobless and apartmentless. If I leave earlier than the end of my contract, can she cancel my visa? Also, after my contract expires would my status automatically return to a tourist visa or do I have to do a border run? I am really heart-broken to leave Japan on such bad terms and if I could find another job that may restore my faith in humanity, I would. To Mulder, thanks for the ups, they've been in short supply the last year. You're right about my boss. And I've gotten every kind of advice about dealing with her that you can imagine. Turn the other cheek, offer an olive branch by way of a letter, stand up to her, don't stand up to her, smile and grit my teeth, etc. I've tried everything and I know it sounds paranoid but I think she's had it in for me since day one. About your last comment, I hadn't thought about hiring a yakuza hit-man but, commissioning a ninja has crossed my mind, either that or shrinking her head with voodoo magic.

[Sweetsee]

Focus on the positive, Cat. Use your power.

[markle]

ali-cat,

Unless, work experience aside, you've hated Japan, then I would start looking now for a new position. Look at your visa and see if it is a one or three year visa. If it's one year then you'll simply need an extension when you get a new employer, no problem really; if it's three year then no need for this step.

Check out the sticky here for job searches and get a wriggle on. I would advise against doing a runner, unless the next job is really good, but most decent employers will wait.