This is just a warning post, I can only hope it actually helps some of you.
I recently quit at SEIHA after finding out that my new manager, who didn’t even know me yet, had written “find a terrible place for him” on a post it note on her copy of my schedule. I took a photo of this as evidence, naturally. The following month’s schedule had me down for 6hr journeys, three times that month (and potentially beyond).
I took this to the head manager for foreigners in all of Japan, as well as the regional Japanese boss. They both told me they’d do nothing about it, not even investigate or get an explanation/apology for it, and that they won’t even entertain further discussion about it.
Called Labour standards, who said it’s clear power harassment, but the laws here suck and I’d need to go through civil courts which I just don’t have time to do. I did check the evidence with a lawyer who confirmed this, though.
So instead I at the very least want to advise people to stay away. Eikaiwa do shady shit all the time, but it’s rare for them to completely refuse to deal with such undeniable evidence.
There are plenty of other, much better, options out there. Don’t settle for an eikaiwa that’ll have you working unpaid 2-3hrs per day (average travel time for all the teachers I know). I’m now at a much better school, and so much better supported. I’m also earning more, and working less hours, with a fraction of the travel time (30-40 mins per day).
Stay safe! We’re all in the same boat. 👍
Edit: regarding the note, I am more than 90% sure it was actually written by the head Foreigner manager, not my *new* manager. In case you’re assuming it was just one bad low level manager, that’s really not the case.
14 comments
That sounds like a really shit house situation you found yourself in. Did you contact the union? I’ve heard there are some bad eggs working there creating a very toxic environment.
Yep Seiha is awful. Words there a decade plus ago. They would send you far away as a sub and didn’t care that it was a 2 1/2 hour one way train ride.
The company emails were always hostile and just insulting. Your English contract and Japanese contract differ esp concerning the holidays. Just a terrible company that makes other eikaiwa look decent
Does your manager’s name start with a T ? I had some SERIOUS issues at Seiha much worse than this and I also left for better employment.
Eikaiwa ain’t it. I’ve got 2 jobs now and make alright money, but eikaiwa in general isn’t ever going to lead to a bright future.
Wow, I’m glad I failed the interview with them years ago (because I had placement preferences).
In the kiddy eikaiwa world, Seiha is literally the last chance you have to get a job if you’re burnt out, have drug, alcohol or mental issues, and no one else will take you.
The travel for work thing in Japan is such bullshit. I don’t even see how it helps any companies. And it certainly doesn’t advantage anyone who agrees.
I don’t even like getting reimbursed since I’m barely making ends meet as is.
Everyone should put your foot down on that. If you’re young and don’t have anything to tie you down and you don’t mind the experience then it’s fine. Such inconvenient crap.
I definitely wouldn’t be traveling beyond the next town for work.
I’ve heard horrible things about Seiha. Everybody I knew quit. Very high turnover rate for a reason.
I worked for Seiha when I first arrived in Japan. The only reason I was able to last through the whole year contract was because I actually had really good coworkers and managers. The commutes took a toll and my mental health completely dipped throughout the year though.
I often think back and wonder how I managed that year, haha. Doing stupid flashcard drilling and playing games all day every day killed me inside and I firmly believe my English ability dropped because of my first year with them haha… Anyways, yeah, they should be avoided. I had been wondering how they’d been faring these past two years considering their curriculum relies on close contact with the kids constantly.
How much was the pay there?
Are they still offering the very generous 1.7 a year starting salary?
I’m wondering why the labor bureau couldn’t help. What did they tell you about why they could not take the case? Shouldn’t you be able to use the labor court system in cases of power harassment?
Or perhaps they felt you wouldn’t be able to make a good enough case? I would imagine you’d have to show a pattern of incidents, and that one single incident (that you had proof for) might not be enough. Or was there another reason?
I worked for Seiha and it was a real nightmare. My manager was an alcoholic unable to manage the schedule. I had an accident at work and no one reacted that day. As I had to stay at home for a few days, my manager and the Head office did not try to understand how the accident happened, they were just horrible with me…. . Lots of unpaid hours and terribly exhausting daily commutes ….
Sorry to hear about what happened to you. I’m sure you’ll find something better.
That said, this post would be more helpful if it were entitled
EIKAIWA – avoid like the plague
I’ve been working for them for 7 years so far. It’s only gotten worse thanks to the idiot president’s son taking over. They violate labor laws all the fucking time, but nobody has the balls to unionize (and believe me, I’ve tried), which is ridiculous because Seiha is constantly in the red money-wise because of how dangerously irresponsible they are with constant spending on expansion, so if we threatened to go on strike they’d HAVE to listen, or they’d go tits-up.
Seriously, fuck Seiha.