which job should I take? And what is a "permanent contract"

[pragmatic]

First I want to thank everyone who is reading this post. I do try to get on here from time to time and give other people advice and make a contribution. However, this time, I was wondering if I can please have a constructive advice on which job I should choose. I was wondering if anyone ever heard of any of these companies. All three companies are offering the same salary

The first job offer I have is from a company called Aoba. I have been working for them part time for about a year now. They own kindergarten/preschools around Tokyo. I was wondering if anyone ever heard of them regarding their reputation. They offered me a standard annual contract. I believe I will enjoy this job the most. However, with only an annual contract I am not sure how stable this job is going to be.


The next job offer is with a family owned eikaiwa I have been working for part time for 3 years. They offered me an annual contract the first year and have promised me a permanent contract for the 2020 school year. This job I believe I would like the least but it seems to offer the best job security. How much weight though should I put on a “permanent contract” (which means a contract without an end date)

The next company is also a preschool kindergarten. I do not know them, but they have offered me a job. I believe I would enjoy this job too. However, it would involve me moving since they are a bit far from where I am at. Like the above job, they offered me an annual contract the first year and have promised me a permanent contract for the 2020 school year. contract (which means a contract without an end date)

I have e-mailed the union about what a “permanent contract” means, but they never got back to me. Thank you for taking the time to read this and all constructive comments/ advice are certainly welcomed.

[wuchan]

Last I checked if you work for 90 days full time (160 hours or more a month) directly for the company, you are permanent. The only exception is if you are "haken" AKA a temp worker dispatched by another company. That being said there is a sketchy category called contract employee. The contract employee is hired to do a specific task such as teach. The contract employee can only do the task they were hired to do. If they regularly do other tasks that fall outside of their contract they are considered full time.

It's complicated. Sadly, a few things happen here in Japan. The first is very few people know and understand their rights. The second is so many companies break the law there is very little the government can do. The ministry generally won't check on small companies unless there have been a few complaints.

You should contact Hello Work. Bring them your current contract and ask them what your real current status is. Many schools do the one year contract thing but legally the teachers are considered full time employees under the law. This is important to you because a full time employee can't be fired. A mutual agreement must be reached before the employer can release the employee. This is the reason there are so many Japanese people working as haken, it allows companies to hire and fire at will.

I understand you don't like the family owned business but if they are willing to make you a full time regular, go with it. After 90 days they can't fire you and you can be as lazy as you want.

[Taro Toporific]

The first job offer I have is from a company called Aoba. I have been working for them part time for about a year now... They offered me a standard annual contract. I believe I will enjoy this job the most. However, with only an annual contract I am not sure how stable this job is going to be.

Aoba Japan International School is a stable big school that has been around forever---They ain't gonna bankrupt on you, which is always a worry with smaller companies. HOWEVER, that "standard annual contract" is Keiyaku shain status. The problem with a Keiyaku shain (契約社員) annual contract is that in the 5th year of the contract, Japan's new labor law forces the company to either give you a permanent contract as a seishain" (rarely) or they just shitcan you (more typically).

That is, after 5 years as an annual contract employee (Keiyaku shain ), the company must transition you to permanent employee status (with all the benefits and protections against losing your job). Almost all companies just refuse to renew the contract of an annual contract employee ( Keiyaku shain ) in the 5th year to save money and maintain their HR flexibility.

Being a contract employee ( Keiyaku shain ) means you will face renewal decisions every year, which mades you vulnerable. And, if the company is not making money, it's the keiyaku shain who get fired first.

The next job offer is with a family owned eikaiwa I have been working for part time for 3 years. They offered me an annual contract the first year and have promised me a permanent contract for the 2020 school year. This job I believe I would like the least but it seems to offer the best job security. How much weight though should I put on a “permanent contract” (which means a contract without an end date)

That “permanent contract" ... "Seishain") status guarantees you cannot be fired so as long as that family-owned eikaiwa doesn't go bankrupt, you will have a job with all the benefits of company-contribution health insurance, paid transportation, etc.

The next company is also a preschool kindergarten... offered me an annual contract the first year and have promised me a permanent contract for the 2020 school year. contract (which means a contract without an end date)

Once again that “permanent contract"--"Seishain") status guarantees you can't be fired and gives the benefits like annual health check, company files your income tax for you, etc., etc., etc.

I have e-mailed the union about what a “permanent contract” means, but they never got back to me.

* tokyogeneralunion.org Changes to Japan's employment law

*Shiga Intercultural Association for Globalization---New rules on dispatch (yearly contract) labor and make use of them in your employment

* 8 Different Types of Employment In Japan And How They Are Changing

[pragmatic]

Do I choose a job that I may not like with the security (possible permanent contract next year) or do I choose the job that I will like that has only the annual contract?I have also thought about taking to Aoba about the possibility of a permanent contract. Would that be wise? Has anyone here actually worked for them and could give some inside scoop? I realize the final decision is is mine to make.

[Mike Oxlong]

So your choice of handle is ironic.

[Taro Toporific]

I have also thought about taking to Aoba about the possibility of a permanent contract. Would that be wise?

It can't hurt to ask for permanent status rather than an annual contract.
If you are lucky, they might counter-offer that a permanent contract would be a possibility in the second year of successful employment (but I wouldn't hold my breath).

Would that be wise?

It's not a question of it being "wise" or not. Most likely, Aoba has a policy of only giving Keiyaku shain/annual contracts for new hires in their kindergarten/preschools.

Aoba is a private international school and it can choose to do whatever it wants to do. Unless you are a real licensed teacher (in your home country or Japan) or have a degree in Child Development and Education, you do not have much leverage. If prove yourself as a super-duper-whoopie* kindergarten/preschool teacher after working a year with them, Aoba might relent and offer you "permanent status."

*I have known two gaijin preschool teachers(1, (2 who were
so beloved in their kiddie schools that they were
offered a permanent contract at a lot more
than their starting wage. Why?
Both were カリスマ先生.

[jingai]

Great info, Taro.

I saw an interesting new column on Japan labor laws and unions in the Japan Times: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/03/11/commentary/japan-commentary/university-tokyo-power-union/?fbclid=IwAR3zlJlLRKCrg5c_7UQInSRyBlVDv7-e91570xTWns4SRPptDspLsaUD2nU#.XIjT0yJKiM8

Looks like Tokyo U is doing the right thing and not stringing staff along for 5 years anymore. Maybe others will follow.