breaking a contract

[Maya]

Hi everyone. In a few weeks, I will begin teaching English with a not so reputable school. I've heard many teachers quit after a few months and look for other work. My question is how easy is it to find a teaching job for someone who's only worked a few months? Has anyone been unemployed for several months? Also, how easy is it to break a contract? Does one just resign?
Thanks.

[panda]

If you give two weeks notice your employer is required by law to give you a letter of release which will allow you to transfer your sponsorship over to another company. This is regardless of what your employer states in their contract. The only real experience required from most schools to teach English conversation is native English ability and a college degree so it shouldn't matter too much if you only have a couple months work experience. Already having a visa is a big plus in finding employment because there is no delay before you can start work and it's less paperwork for the employer to have to worry about. There's also nothing to force you to transfer your sponsorship over to another company right away as long as you take care of it before you plan to renew your visa.

That being said it's a good idea to finish out your contract when you can. Are you sure you want to work for a school with such a bad reputation?

[Maya]

Panda, thanks for the reply. I am working for this company because I figure this is the only way to go and get acquainted with Japanese life and get visa sponsorship beforehand. I interviewed with another one of the Big Three but didn't get a call back. I heard this is the easiet way for someone living in the US to get sponsorship.

[panda]

Well getting sponsorship before you go over is best because it saves you a lot of time and money. I wouldn't worry so much though. You should always take second hand information about working conditions with a grain of salt. Everyone's experience differs and some people just wouldn't be happy anywhere and just like to complain. Wait until you are actually there to judge conditions for yourself. Most schools/jobs are going to have their negative points so you have to expect that but hopefully there should be enough positives to make it worthwhile to stay there awhile.

[Ayaka]

Does anyone know if it’s ok to work outside of the field specified on your visa? I think all eikaiwa teachers get something called, “Specialist in Humanities” (or something), but is it ok (in practice, if not according to the letter of the law) to get work in a bar or restaurant, for example? Or do I have to apply for a new, different type of visa? And just out of curiosity, what are the legal penalties, if any, for this?

Also, I am thinking about quitting my current job. I read above that I can and should get a “letter of release” from my employer. Is there a translation in Japanese for this? (seeing as how my employer always plays dumb if I speak English to her, I’d like to be able to say it in Japanese) Thanks!

[panda]

I believe it's "rishoku shoumeisho". Remember you are required to give 2 weeks notice as well. You could work at a bar or restaurant for awhile but it doesn't fall under the "Specialist in Humanities" category so they won't be able to sponsor you. This only really matters when its time to renew your visa though. If you want to renew you have to find a new company willing to sponsor you that fits the requirements.

The "Specialist in Humanities" category is flexible though so as long as you can reasonably claim you use your language or cultural ability in some way in the job (ie it's a job that couldn't be performed by a Japanese national) then you should be able to transfer your sponsorship. Bar or restaurant work wouldn't be accepted. It can also be very difficult and time consuming to change your visa status so its best to avoid it if you can.