Has anyone ever taken nenkyu at not the most appropriate time?
I’m visiting home this summer for a wedding which is during the summer holidays and that’s fine. However, there is a super meaningful (to me) event happening at home 2 weeks before. This coincides with the last week of term.
I have lots of nenkyu still to use and usually we do not do much at the end of term (not really invited to classes etc)
I asked my supervisor and he said ‘this is a difficult question for me because I can’t tell you not to use your nenkyu. But you will need to assist in marking an exam in that last week.’
It’s kind of difficult for me as it’s still a choice and not a straight up no. And also my school is really very chilled on most things. I’m leaning towards missing the celebration even though I’m desperate to go as I’m not really one who likes to the rock the boat.
Just wondering if there is anyone else who took nenkyu technically during class time?
11 comments
I did the week before golden week. It wasn’t nenkyuu tho, but special leave (included in my contract)I was supposed to team teach eikaiwa, but I took special time off to get married.
I had zero issue with taking the time off. I did the paperwork at the main office and got the “okay” to take 5 days of marriage leave. I let the two JTEs I taught with for eikaiwa that I wasn’t going to be in (I didn’t want to tell them until I got back) and one JTE was a bit annoyed that she had to teach the class herself and the other one didn’t care.
Once I came back and told all the JTEs the big news, the JTE that had a little attitude apologized to me “for not being understanding “ and congratulated me. I told her no worries. I didn’t think much of her annoyance because it was only 2 classes I’d be missing and it was the beginning of the term, not end or middle.
The point is, take the nenkyuu if you’re comfortable. It’s your time off and as long as it doesn’t directly affect your job performance, it should be fine.
Also technically, ALTs can’t really grade or even assist in grading for exams (at least in my BOE). We can grade class work and assignments but not exams according to my BOE. So during exam time, I’m just at my desk studying or doing grad school work. I think you should be fine.
Good luck with whatever path you choose 🍀
Take your nenkyuu, that’s what it is for. And be adamant about it. In most cases, we aren’t important. The worst they can do is say no, but if you push it they will *probably* let you take it
I’m lucky that my school let’s me take nenkyuu whenever as long as it isn’t one of the days I’m visiting another school (usually 5 days of the month).
Literally take it whenever you want. That’s what it’s there for! The school operated before you were there and will continue to do so after you leave, so you taking nenkyu during the term is a non issue. Enjoy your holiday!
I’ve never been asked to mark exams in my five years on JET (none of my 8 senior high have asked), but maybe that’s because I’m teach at some senior high schools, and that’s why they wouldn’t allow me near the exam papers, unless they have a question for me about some of the students’ answers.
In my opinion, you should be able to take your nenkyū, especially if that’s something that’s dear to you and that will only happen once. So you gotta ask yourself if you’re willing to miss an important milestone in your life and stay in Japan to MARK exams. X3 🥲
Also, I don’t know if it’s your case, but to anyone, my advice is that if it’s your last year, you should use those nenkyū days before your contract ends and those nenkyū days get wasted. 😃
I’m going back home for three weeks in the autumn (i.e. during class time) precisely because flights are cheaper during term time, and the beaches won’t be full of families on their summer holidays shouting at their children, and I can just potter round quietly with my mum. I told my BoE after I’d already booked my flights, and it was fine. Just do it, man. What are they going to do?
You’re fine. At least your supervisor is honest with you, and knows as much as they can hem and haw about it, it’s still yours to use freely. If you don’t want to rock the boat too much, try to come up with alternative plans for classes and grading while you’re gone, like help lighten the workload of the JTE or something somehow. Even if you can’t come up with something, don’t worry about it too much. If you still feel bad, just bring your supervisor and/or teachers a nice omiyage and thank them later or something.
Your life events happen maybe only once, ever.
Don’t miss it because you feel bad about missing work.
Go, plan to come back in time to mark and just message them later that “Oh no my flight got cancelled! Something something covid something back on X instead.”
Go for it. Your paid leave is something you have a right to. Work things out as much in advance to lower the load of your co-workers and enjoy your trip.
You have a right to your PTO. Use it. They will manage without you.
Never miss life events for work. Never.
I’m writing this as I’m waiting for my flight back to my placement after taking a two week leave lol! I agree with everyone else; don’t feel bad for taking time off to enjoy your life!!! I think the only people that would be potentially “upset” by your absence are the people who probably don’t care about you as a person in the first place (and f— those people lol). You only get one life, and this is a special celebration! You have the right to use your PTO whenever and for whatever you want to ❤️!
My extra 2 cents from my experience: BOEs in Japan kinda suck in regards to properly looking out for the well-being of ALTs, etc. So always look out for yourself first ❤️