Good morning, everyone. I got an offer for a teaching position in Japan, but after reading through the internet and checking the conditions, I am a little worried about it. I’d like to hear you guys’ opinion on it.
Position: Teaching in Aichi, Nagoya. Schools are located all over the prefecture, with 1hr 20 minute commute to the two furthest away schools from Nagoya station. The schools are in opposite sides of the prefecture, one in Gamagori, the other in Miwako.
Schedule: 6 days a week, 6hr every day, sundays off.
Contract type: Independent contractor.
There are some things about the contract that are irking me the wrong way. Things like a non-compete clause for a year after leaving the job, or a fine for missing lessons “without supporting documentation” without specifying what that documentation is has me worried. On top of this, independent contractor means no health insurance, no employee insurance…
I don’t know if I’m having a knee-jerk reaction, but this is worrisome. I’d like to hear you guys’ advice.
Thanks.
34 comments
Wait am I reading that right, you have to work 6 days a week??????? That alone would get a rejection from me
It must be a good salary if you are even thinking about working 6 days a week. That’s probably the most important information you should add to your post.
Well, how much is the pay? If the pay is high…
You can pay your own health insurance, so if pay is alright – doable. You pay your own taxes. Easy. You get a few extra deductions to lower tax burden as a sole proprietor on freelance.
However, 6 days a week?! Potentially at one school at 8am (and who knows which one and how far from your home) and then getting on a train for another 1.5 hours to go to another in the afternoon. Then how far is that one from home?
Documentation for sick days or other would be a letter from doctor saying you went in, a death cert if you claim funeral, a letter from some agency if you have to go to some meeting.
They can’t really enforce a non-compete so that is a non-issue.
However, those freelance contracts do indeed mean that the rules of fair labor do not apply.
If you are desperate to get to Japan and the pay is 400,000 a month…try it? Maybe you will be lucky and assigned to 2 schools fairly close and not a painful commute from your home.
If it’s less than say…300,000 don’t even consider it. My guess is they are offering 260,000 though.
That’s a trash offer. 6 days a week for only 241k. That’s like ridiculously low. You will have no life, no money and no skills.
Reject and apply elsewhere.
You will regret working this job.
“Fine for missing lessons” should not exist in the contract. It’s a scare tactic they can’t enforce.
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independent contract would be an automatic no for me. I want the benefits that come with being a company employee.
Run!
As someone working in Nagoya right now, I can tell you that offer sucks big time.
Are you in Japan already? With a valid visa?
If this is the case, you should consider other regions. Aichi tends to pay less than other regions (imo) . Outside Nagoya the cost of living should be lower, so maybe then it can be doable. But honestly, you should cast a wider net, and I am sure you can find something better
Independent contractor is a major red flag. You’ll have next to no protection or rights under Labour Law, such as paid leave.
If the school would be telling you were to go, what to teach and giving you work orders etc it sounds like you’d actually be an employee.
Some businesses use independent contractor as a way to avoid their obligations as an employer.
This is called bogus outsourcing and is illegal. Avoid.
6 days a week with all that commuting would be very tough. Aeon starts off higher than that for working in one location 5 days a week…unless they’ve changed since COVID.
You may be able to apply for a 特定活動 visa that allows you to remain in country to search for a job. Contact an immigration lawyer for help.
Also, it’s easy to do a change application from student to work visa, and costs less than a new application from outside the country.
FYI, you won’t be able to work until the work visa is approved as your current student visa remains valid until you get the work residence card.
The work conditions you mentioned are awful, I hope you find something better… you could keep job searching after taking this job if there’s absolutely nothing coming up quick enough.
Punitive non compete clause is illegal and unenforceable.
Example of an illegal non compete clause: “if ex-employee starts his own English school, ex-employee pays a 1M yen fine to the previously employed school.”
But a reward based non compete clause is legal.
Example: “school will pay ex employee 100,000 yen a year so long as ex employee doesn’t start his own competing school.”
Fines for missing lessons are also illegal.
Although the bad stuff described in the contract are mostly unenforceable, it would still be a real hassle to you if push comes to shove because in the end, the burden of litigating any injustice will be on you which can be financially and emotionally draining. I think it is also indicative of how they value their employees. In my opinion this is probably a black company. Use caution should you really choose to join them.
sounds like a nightmare, no thank you. if teaching isn’t something you truly want to do then I would look for other work and save yourself the misery of doing English teaching
Dude. I live in Nagoya and would never commute that far or work with those stipulations. Everything about it looks bad.
OP heed the warnings from the internet and don’t take this trash offer.
Nope nope nope.
Tell them you won’t accept an independent contractor contract. Those contracts are illegal when you are not actually working as a contractor, and in fact work directly for the school as an employee. They are doing this to make you ineligible for benefits, including pension, insurance AND paid holidays – contractors don’t get paid holidays! You can also be fired on a whim, with no recourse.
This is a HUGE red flag showing this school owner is not to be trusted.
I’d rather work at a conbini/izakaya job than that absolute shit offer. Just go back home.
It’s a trap
That’s a definite no from me.
You say you want the job because of the visa. What’s the reason for this, just pure desperation to stay in Japan or something else?
You also say that you were a teacher ‘back home’ so why not try for actual teaching positions? If you have N2 or above Japanese, you could try for a Japanese teaching licence. If not then international schools, though they can be competitive.
Otherwise if you’re willing to put up ‘weird hours’ but for at least a decent pay then you could try applying to be a boarding school house staff. They might require some sort of police check or working with children-related degree though.
In this thread. Op asking if it’s worth taking a 6 days per week job with a 1 hour and 20 mins commute each way. Everyone says no. Op says: but free visa sponsorship. Everyone says run away but you say anyway, its a free visa so I’ll take it. Why ask in the first place then? Lol smh
I’d reject the offer. Teachers should not accept under 250 000 a month. It’s barely enough as it is and is pretty much the bare minimum in terms of ESL full – time pay in Japan.
I’d also reject it on the basis of the long commute and the fact that you’re an independent contractor .
Sounds like Peppy Kids Club. It’s not the worst job to break into teaching. But as you are currently in Japan, you can find better.
Reject and apply somewhere else!!! It’s so not worth it with those conditions. You can find a better company that will sponsor your visa.
Just my observation of your replies, you will likely take this job because you are very desperate for a visa even though everyone on this post is telling you this is a bad deal. As an independent contractor, you will have to pay for the company portion of the pension system and your part, which is double what a regular company employee would pay. You also have to pay into the national health insurance system, 1st year is cheap because they calculate based on the previous year’s salary.
I estimate you pay about 90,000 yen per month on the pension, health insurance, city tax, income tax, etc.
[https://jp.talent.com/en/tax-calculator?salary=240000&from=month®ion=Japan](https://jp.talent.com/en/tax-calculator?salary=240000&from=month®ion=Japan)
[https://housekey.jp/reduce-health-insurance-pension-premiums-payments-japan/](https://housekey.jp/reduce-health-insurance-pension-premiums-payments-japan/)
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240,000 per month you only have 150,000 per month to work with.
60,000 rent (25% of your gross income)
3,000 water
6,000 electricity
4,000 gas
5,000 internet
3,000 MVNO phone plan (or cheaper 1,000 3gb plan)
48,000 commuter train from Nagoya – Gamagori/Mikawa 2,000 round trip (6 times a week x 4 weeks).
40,000 food (eating out, conbini, alcohol, bars)
10,000 misc stuff (toilet paper, beauty supply, laundry, clothes, Netflix, etc)
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Adding all of these up, you will be in the negative every month, if the dispatch doesn’t pay for your commuting cost. You can play around with the numbers like food, but eating out and alcohol will change things. Utilities vary since you might use more A/C during the summer and how cold you run it. Your rent will vary based on the distance to the train station, how many rooms, roommates, etc. These are estimates based on me as a single person living in Japan, but your mileage may vary.
Reject. Independent contractors have no worker’s rights, and if they’re setting your pay rate and workplace, you’re not even really a contractor.
Absolutely not.
Yea this contract is shit.
99% of companies will offer to get you a work visa.
99% of companies will also try to screw you in some way too. Read contract offers carefully, and don’t take independent contractor roles.
Red flags to look for,
We don’t offer health insurance.
We don’t allow you to use vacation time.
You are expected to work until all tasks are completed (meaning we will over work and expect you to work for free).
Overtime pay up to 20, 30, 40 hours is already included in your salary.
Most English teaching contracts are full-time (40 hours). Dqys off depend on the school.
Full-time work means you get 10 days of paid time off after 6 months. Company can use 5 of those days, and if so should be stated in your contract. I’ve had companies try to say I can’t use my time, that’s a big no no.
Full-time work also means you can enroll in health insurance, pension, etc. through the company. Company pays 50%, some companies will try to tell you that you have to enroll on your own. It’s bullshit and you can 100% call them out on it.
Contracts ate usually for 1 year and include a completion bonus.
Also if the job is awful, you can give a minimum of 2 weeks notice you’re quitting as long as you give a reason.
Also fun note, getting fired while under contract while not impossible is super hard. Though the company doesn’t have to renew your contract.
Good luck, read up a bit on labor laws so you’re not exploited and definitely read your contracts
This is called slavery. They tried to sugar coat it with irrelevant details.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck that
>Schools are located all over the prefecture
No
>1hr 20 minute commute to the two furthest away schools from Nagoya station.
Hell no
>6 days a week
Hahahaha
>Independent contractor
You won’t have any independence to speak at 6 days/week, lmao
>Things like a non-compete clause for a year after leaving the job
Compete with these nuts
>a fine for missing lessons “without supporting documentation”
Fuck all of that, “supporting documentation” can be whatever they want it to be
>independent contractor means no health insurance, no employee insurance
Now you’re starting to get it.
The least you could do to help the community is to name and shame this piece of shit company because clearly you aren’t taking this job, right? Right?
I won’t pry into your personal life, but you don’t need a visa that bad. Not bad enough to take a shit position like that. Your prospects would be better at home. If there’s a partner holding you here, get married and get a spouse visa. Do not take a shitty job cuz of Japan Fantasy Syndrome.
If you are looking for Aichi, apply to JO International in Kariya, or No Borders. They are both much better.