Firstly, I have been offered an interview with Kids Up (i found them through Gaijinpot and the interview offer was made through them as well, if that makes a difference) but I can’t see as much information about them online as I can with other eikaiwas. I saw a post on here from four years ago but I wondered if anyone could provide any more up to date information? I will keep looking myself for more information on them.
Secondly, is there any blacklists I can find somewhere to help guide my search for a job without falling into scams and/or horrible places to work? I understand that eikaiwas are luck of the draw. I recently got an interview offer from a company called School Ascom but my research on that lead me to believe that was a scam as there was nothing about them anywhere.
Thanks in advance for any help on this!
4 comments
Check Glassdoor. You can see the basic information without an account, but you’ll have to make one if you want to see more detailed reviews.
Making an account with them is a rather tiring process though.
Pretty much most blacklist sites and subreddits are way out of date.
Without sounding too much like the usual, it is a fair generalization to say most corporate eikaiwa are more negative than positive workplaces, principally on the basis that it has long been normal practice to skirt full-time contracts to avoid paying Shakaihoken, working as a self contractor is a more legitimate way of doing this and not necessarily a redflag per se.
In any scenario, I would get them to be clear about the nature of the contract and what contributions, if any they are making on their end.
Thats basic obligatory information, which shouldn’t dissuade a decent employer, if asked to provide it.
If they are expecting you to work 30 or so hours on a “part-time” contract run.
If the don’t enrol you on shakaihiken but put you on a fulltime contract (but not self contracted) also be wary.
Self contracting is another way for the company to avoid making contributions, however you can make deductions on your health care etc, so it isn’t necessarily a breach of conduct.
If you’re not planning on staying more than a couple of years, any job can work, but the earlier examples above are not legitimate practices.
Don’t do it! I interviewed with them a few years ago. I remember the student to teacher ratio was insane and the pay was garbage. They also reached out to me a couple times after I rejected their offer trying to get me to work for them, which shows how desperate they are. Massive red flag. Steer clear.
My friend worked there for less than a year and that place was the final straw that made him give up on working in Japan and he moved back to the US after 4 years in Japan.