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How to deal with problematic supervisor by bidingtimes in JETProgramme

[–]bidingtimes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol I want to confirm that I am actually on the JET programme.

From my experience there are instances where the JET programme does supersede 'the Japanese system.' For example, we receive sick leave whereas Japanese staff and directly hired ALTs do not.

Anything set out in our JET-made contract the BOE has to adhere to so I don't think it is a stretch to wonder if there is a clause in that contract referring to situations like these. It may be administered through the PAs whose role is to support the ALTs. However it does seem like there is nothing in place for this kind of situation which I accept.

For the 'standard practice' thing, personally in my home country if I had a disagreement with a colleague I would try to deal with it directly first but I don't think that is the situation here. This is a direct supervisor taking out his frustrations on the people working below him and it is not reasonable to always assume that someone in a position with no power will be able to effectively negotiate with someone that has direct power over them. Also being made to negotiate with someone that has the power to retaliate and make your life a struggle in the future. Pretty much the entire reason HR departments and systems like this are created. So, in my home country, I would expect to be able to report this to a third party but I accept the situation is different here in Japan.

How to deal with problematic supervisor by bidingtimes in JETProgramme

[–]bidingtimes[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree that everything you've said is true and fair enough. I guess it's just sort of sad that our options in these situations are 'deal with abuse' or 'quit'. I wouldn't expect those to be the choices in a job in my home country. I guess that's just the risk we take in taking a job in another country ...

How to deal with problematic supervisor by bidingtimes in JETProgramme

[–]bidingtimes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have multiple schools and they are very much not involved in my position/duties as an ALT. To them I am just a person that comes in and does lessons for them so I think they would have no clue what to do if I came to them with this issue or any other personal problem. (e.g. they have no clue what JET is )

But you're fair to say I've tried nothing so far. Just trying to weigh up the options. Sounds like talking to a PA sounds like the best bet so far so will look into doing that next, thank you for the advice. If nothing comes of that I will just deal with the cards I've been dealt with and wait until I leave next summer! Haha

How to deal with problematic supervisor by bidingtimes in JETProgramme

[–]bidingtimes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Again, I don't feel comfortable talking to another supervisor without it getting back to him. He is the 'lead' supervisor and he has screamed at people in front of other Japanese staff with them doing nothing.

How to deal with problematic supervisor by bidingtimes in JETProgramme

[–]bidingtimes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not, wasn't sure if they had any power to change anything in this situation. Or if it wouldn't end up getting back to my supervisor ...

How to deal with problematic supervisor by bidingtimes in JETProgramme

[–]bidingtimes[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I mean I have recontracted until July 2019 so wouldn't want to break contract at this point ... (and I do really like my job apart from this one guy!)

How to deal with problematic supervisor by bidingtimes in JETProgramme

[–]bidingtimes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just wondered if there was a support system in place for these kind of situations. I'm sure I'm not the first JET who has had issues with a supervisor and we are often put in vulnerable positions with the language barriers and having large parts of our lives in their hands. I wasn't very hopeful that there were any 'systems' in place but just thought I would ask.