Monday, September 24, 2012

Overtime

I don't think there is such a thing as overtime in Japan***, well at leaste you don't get paid for it. Ben and I have been working a ton of overtime. We're only contracted as English teachers, but when something big is going on, we're another able body that they can and will put to what ever good use they can. Usually I don't mind staying late, or doing strange tasks, it usually gives me the chance to socialize, or leads to an invitation to socialize later. These last few weeks I have been working a lot of overtime, and way too much of it has involved brisk paces. It's really tiring, but very satisfying. I will be putting together a Halloween festival for the students at my school, which means I really have my work cut out for me this month. The students and teachers are really excited, and I think it's going to be a blast. Wish me luck!

*** I am completely wrong about this, my schools thought I was getting paid overtime, and assumed I was getting paid for my extra work.

2 comments:

  1. Katie, you are potentially being taken advantage of. Every Japanese person receives overtime unless a certain amount of overtime is explicitly included in the contracted salary. Even then, beyond that number of hours, companies are required to pay overtime. Overtime is a huge part of a "slaryman"s monthly pay.

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    Replies
    1. Wow, Thank you!
      I think I'll try to work out a deal where I get some hours off later on in exchange for doing so many overtime hours... I really thought it was just expected.

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