A week ago, I signed a contract with this small “international school”. I honestly didn’t like the school and the manager that much but I didn’t have a choice at that time so I signed. They won’t sign me up for shakai hoken; they said if I really wanted to, they could but they’ll reduce their offer.
Last Friday, I got an offer from a different school. They’re offering less money but has shakai hoken and I think I’ll gain better experience from them. They have sent me the contract and want me to start as soon as possible, possibly this week.
Do you think I’ll get in trouble with the first school if I tell them I’m not coming in tomorrow anymore when I’ve signed a contract?
15 comments
It’s unprofessional to do so, but who cares.
If you don’t feel like doing it then don’t. I actually convinced my current employer to do so because otherwise I would have walked.
They clearly don’t care about you, so why care about them, just know that you won’t be able to get a job there in the future, but again who cares
Life is short. Follow your heart.
If they aren’t paying at least 5 million a year with housing stipend and full benefits, they aren’t a legitimate international school.
I declined an offer a day after signing because they wanted me to be an independent contractor and took up another offer I had that did pay shakai hoken and I don’t regret it. If the first school doesn’t convince you and they are trying to lowball you like that I would bounce and take the other offer.
Remember kiddies, just because it has “international” in the name doesn’t mean it’s an accredited international school.
No you won’t get in trouble… do what’s best for you …
If what you’ve wrote is any indication, they’ll try and make you feel like you’re in trouble, but you’re not.
It’s one small international school.
You will not be able to get a job with them or any connected businesses they communicate with in the future.
But you don’t want a job with them.
If by “getting in trouble”, you mean being yelled at on the phone, you may be, but then again… your phone has a disconnect button. Say “thanks for your time” the minute they get disrespectful and disconnect. Easy stuff.
You’re here already, how many jobs did you have previously without knowing what a contract and breaking one meant?
You’re not in trouble, stop signing up for shady organizations
You’re a mercenary. Do what you need to do to survive.
I have quit after signing on because I got a better gig. That’s on them, not you. If they want to keep you, they best give you what you asked for. They didn’t, so bye!!!
Look after yourself because they actively aren’t looking after you at all
Unpopular opinion: What you are doing is very unprofessional, and possibly disrespectful to yourself.
I can’t imagine the audacity of someone who signs a contract and screws a school over one week before they start. Why are you asking if you will get in trouble if you don’t show up AFTER YOU SIGNED A CONTRACT, leading them to expect you to show up? Are they just supposed to say “Hmm, thats totally fine. We have 10 more teachers ready to start”. Where is your head at?
And, what do you mean that you didn’t have a choice? Is it some visa issue that you needed to take the first job you could find? If so, I understand, thats a fair reason.
However, if it was “I just didn’t have another job offer at the time” then you are disrespecting yourself and setting yourself up for a bad time. If you didn’t already didn’t like them, why would you accept a job there?
You sound like you need to develop some ~~professional~~ life skills.
You need to be direct with them instead of just not showing up. Call them and say they are required by labor law to cover your insurance and pension, and that you won’t accept a lower wage than the one they have already agreed to. Once a contract is signed, they can’t just suddenly change the wages. If you argue well, and play your cards right, they’ll agree to just “fire” you, and you won’t even have to worry about the contract you signed. Win-win.
Just tell them you’re not happy with the position and will be leaving. Don’t say a thing more. If they ask questions, redirect them with questions that you feel are more important.
I remember my dispatch company telling us that it’s better not to be on shakai hoken because pension is expensive and we’ll get less money. Pretty sure 80% of ALT’s weren’t paying into the pension which was one of the reasons why…if you’re gonna be here long term it’s def worth getting on shakai hoken since the pension pot will be larger.