I have a one year renewable contract that runs from March to April. The company is asking me to sign a new contract that goes into force from signing with different terms and, crucially, a lower salary for no justifiable reason. I have refused to sign as of yet but what are my options in this case?
6 comments
You can refuse to sign but they might refuse to renew your yearly contract.
Don‘t do it if you do not have benefits from this. As for me, I wouldn’t even care if they decide to not renew my contract. I guess you will be on their „accepts whatever“ list after signing it either way.
What do you mean “midway”? Would that contract start from the beginning of your next contract period or replace your current contract effective immediately?
They cannot change the terms of employment in the middle of the contract period without your consent. Despite what many people believe, even non-permanent employees are very well protected in Japan.
Need a bit more information…
Is this 1) a fixed-term contract? Or 2) a haken contract, where the employment dates are not actually a whole year (like you’d get working for a shitty dispatch company like Interac), or 3) is it a “fiscal year appointment” (this is typically what directly hired ALTs would get)?
Either way you’re good until the current contract ends date. They can’t change that. And If (1), then you stand some solid ground, in that they can’t not renew your fixed-term contract just because you refuse to accept a lower salary.
However, for future renewals, If (2), or (3), then you’re kinda fucked.
Yeah, don’t sign that.
It is legal for them to offer a new contract with whatever conditions, but it is not legal for them to pressure you to sign it, nor is it legal for them to retaliate against you for refusing to sign it.
Also – start looking for a new job. Now. If they’ll fuck with you like this, they’ll try to screw you in other ways too.
Also keep all records of communication with your employer and notify them you are audio recording all verbal conversations. One of my coworkers from a previous company tried something similar because he was one of the most senior members and making much more than most of the other employees. Boss fired him soon after refusing for “unrelated reasons” he fought back and the boss had to pay him the rest of his salary for the remainder of the contract at once. The boss was also told they were not allowed to give a negative reference if a request was made.
Keep records of everything and learn how to file a report to the ministry of labor if you feel your boss is doing anything to penalize you for not signing. Keep doing your job as best you can and try to find another job as they will likely not consider renewing a contract with you. If they do then they are desperate for employees and that gives you some leverage to negotiate but you’d need to read the contract carefully before signing with the same company.