Job Discussion Forums

hip-hop boy78 · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 90 Location: Hip-hop land

Hi everyone!

I'm specifically looking for some information on Altia Central. Has anyone worked as an ALT for this company? What was your experience like? Would you reccommend them? If so, why?

I'm actually mostly concerned with the fact that the housing they arrange for new recruits is by and large 'unfurnished', which means having to spend a lot of money for a washing machine, refrigerator etc...just some of the basic needs.

I've taught in Japan before so I know what it's like to live there but haven't really got much info on this particular company and whether they are up to scratch or not. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers!

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

I've written about them before. Do a search.

Altia Central is yet another deadbeat illegal dispatch ALT company. The core of their business is illegal. They get good reviews from some, and those some just don't understand how much they were or are getting ripped off by the company.

Big John Stud · Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Posts: 513

hip-hop boy78 wrote:

Hi everyone!

I'm specifically looking for some information on Altia Central. Has anyone worked as an ALT for this company? What was your experience like? Would you reccommend them? If so, why?

I'm actually mostly concerned with the fact that the housing they arrange for new recruits is by and large 'unfurnished', which means having to spend a lot of money for a washing machine, refrigerator etc...just some of the basic needs.

I've taught in Japan before so I know what it's like to live there but haven't really got much info on this particular company and whether they are up to scratch or not. Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers!

I've worked for them. The managers are up tight, and will tell you anything to get you to do what they want you to do. The last pay they tell you that you have to let them keep 50,000yen. This is a lie, if you tell them no. They do so anyway. I complained to the labour board but by the time, the labour board took action, they paid me the rest of my salary.

The managers, like to feel needed by pointing out all your faults. They come out to observe you at least once a semester. The lady I had did nothing but complain. Even though all the teachers and students like me she would complain about none related things. She is also very stupid. One time, she told me I had gotten bad evaluation, but since I worked at the school, I knew what was written. All the teachers had showed me their evaluation form. My last day, they not only had a good party for me, every teacher had bought me a present.

I can be more specific if you asked my about a certain manager.

That is the bad. The good is that they do pay on time. In 3 years of working for them, not once was the pay late. Except for the final one of course. Their program is actually pretty good, it is a shame their managers need people skills training.

If you do move into one of their apartments, don't use the company they recommend that will loan you the furniture, and you can pay them in stallments. I did and later found out, I paid a lot more for everything than if I would of gone to a second hand store. Everything I had got from them was second hand anyway.

yamanote senbei · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 435

drlubanski · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 32

Steer clear of this outfit. It's all bad news.

travislchristensen · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

Are there any good reasons to work of Altia?

gonzarelli · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject:

Altia has a pretty good group of managers. There are plenty of worse outfits that this one. When I got a job with them, I phoned the union and the guy I talked to actually congratulated me. Take that for what it's worth.

On the other hand, I have my gripes with them but not serious enough to really complain. It's all good.

I can't believe someone put out the manager's full name. That's uncalled for in my opinion.

By the way, how long did it take to get the last paycheck? Why would they keep 50k?

It's true about the managers needing people skills. They are terrible in that department. That must be said.

Squire22 · Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Shizuoka, Japan

I currently work for Altia Central, if anyone has any questions regarding working for them, feel free to send a PM.

Nagoyaguy · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 425 Location: Aichi, Japan

I spent several years with Altia before moving on. No real problems with them that I can recall- they were pretty straightforward. Salary was always paid on time, with no strange deductions or half salary for "vacation months".

Very hands off approach to my work, too. I maybe saw my supervisor once a year at one of my schools.

BTW, my sup. was a female, from England. Is SHE the one that got slandered here? I thought she was great- we got along quite well.

If you are going with a dispatching company as an ALT, Altia is the best one I have heard of.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

KuroBara · Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

The last post is from 2007. Does anyone have some updated information about this company? I have an interview soon with them.

gonzarelli · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject:

They're a good dispatch company to work for. However, I really hesitate to put the words good, dispatch, and company all in the same sentence. There are better jobs to be had but don't ask me how to get them or even find them.

lisa111082 · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:53 am Post subject:

I had been hired by them and then one day I received an email saying they lost the contract (and the position they were putting me in) so they had to revoke their offer. Emails asking if anything else ANYWHERE else was available went unanswered.

If you interview with them, don't stop interviewing with other places and don't turn down other positions until you know for sure that they're taking you.

cornishmuppet · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 642 Location: Nagano, Japan

This happened to me with a company called ABC Plus from Nagoya. I got phone-interviewed, accepted for an April start, then only when I contacted them a month or two later after hearing nothing else did they bother to tell me they had failed to get the contract with the BoE. Luckily I was working in Japan already and hadn't bought a flight ticket. Don't do that until you get a confirmed offer with details of placement.