I can has a paycheck?
Well, there was a meeting today and I am now officially employed!
(SFX: Brass band, applause, fireworks, cacophony all 'round)
Here's the detail: since there's nowhere to put me, I'm on "standby" until they have work for me to do. This could mean covering a shift somewhere or helping to open a branch. When I'll get permanently placed in a branch is unknown, but until that time I'll back on salary. 60% of my salary, which came as something of a surprise this afternoon. Until today, the understanding had been that we would be on full salary, but about halfway through the meeting, the manager came through with information that said we'd only be getting 60%, as per - and she emphasized this a couple of times - Japanese law. Which, to my cynical and jaded ear, translates into Chris Rock saying, "Hey if I could pay you less, I would, but it's against the law."
Now mind you it COULD be because they underestimated the number of people who wanted to start working as soon as possible. Perhaps they saw the huge number of teachers who were willing to work, weighed it against the odds of finding work for all of them, and got their lawyers on the phone. "We, uh... we can't pay full salaries to all these people for doing nothing. What's The Law say?" Or it could be that the new boss is just like the old boss, full of shady little tricks to gain your trust and then betray you.
Half full, half empty, I need a smaller glass....
Regardless, I will be getting money, starting with a hilariously small paycheck on December 5th, covering 60% of four days' pay. I also took the option of an advance on January's paycheck, basically so buying Christmas presents for The Boyfriend will have a little less guilt attached.
There's still a lot I don't know, such as when I'll start actually working, and what that schedule will be. Also unknown is when the New Year's holidays are and how long they'll be. What I do know is that I won't have any new paid holidays for six months, which kind of blows the Capra aegagrus. They're not even sure if the old trick of shift-swapping will still be kosher, but I can't imagine why they'd ditch it.
The only things remaining for me to do are to claim unpaid wages and find health insurance. The unpaid wages thing should be easy - once NOVA goes through bankruptcy officially, the trustees will put together all the documents we need and send them to us. All I have to do is fill in some information and take them to the labor board. Voila - money.
As for insurance.... Frankly, shopping for insurance fills me with dread. Mainly because I'm utterly convinced that no matter who I sign up with, they're going to screw me. Hard. Lubelessly. No reach-around.
I know, I know, insurance is invaluable when the Unthinkable happens, and if I have it I'll be thankful for it. But nonetheless, these are for-profit businesses whose primary concern is making money, NOT my well-being. In fact, it is in their best interests not to spend any money on me. Thus, I don't trust them an inch.
At the meeting there was a list provided of available carriers, some of which accept payment by means other than credit card, but which they could not provide enough copies of for everyone. They said they'd post the list on the NOVA home page, but there's nothing there yet. The managers at the meeting said we should arrange insurance within a week, so I'm going to call tomorrow and make sure they put up that damn list.
So that's about it. I'm "working." Thought y'all might like to know.... *smile*
(SFX: Brass band, applause, fireworks, cacophony all 'round)
Here's the detail: since there's nowhere to put me, I'm on "standby" until they have work for me to do. This could mean covering a shift somewhere or helping to open a branch. When I'll get permanently placed in a branch is unknown, but until that time I'll back on salary. 60% of my salary, which came as something of a surprise this afternoon. Until today, the understanding had been that we would be on full salary, but about halfway through the meeting, the manager came through with information that said we'd only be getting 60%, as per - and she emphasized this a couple of times - Japanese law. Which, to my cynical and jaded ear, translates into Chris Rock saying, "Hey if I could pay you less, I would, but it's against the law."
Now mind you it COULD be because they underestimated the number of people who wanted to start working as soon as possible. Perhaps they saw the huge number of teachers who were willing to work, weighed it against the odds of finding work for all of them, and got their lawyers on the phone. "We, uh... we can't pay full salaries to all these people for doing nothing. What's The Law say?" Or it could be that the new boss is just like the old boss, full of shady little tricks to gain your trust and then betray you.
Half full, half empty, I need a smaller glass....
Regardless, I will be getting money, starting with a hilariously small paycheck on December 5th, covering 60% of four days' pay. I also took the option of an advance on January's paycheck, basically so buying Christmas presents for The Boyfriend will have a little less guilt attached.
There's still a lot I don't know, such as when I'll start actually working, and what that schedule will be. Also unknown is when the New Year's holidays are and how long they'll be. What I do know is that I won't have any new paid holidays for six months, which kind of blows the Capra aegagrus. They're not even sure if the old trick of shift-swapping will still be kosher, but I can't imagine why they'd ditch it.
The only things remaining for me to do are to claim unpaid wages and find health insurance. The unpaid wages thing should be easy - once NOVA goes through bankruptcy officially, the trustees will put together all the documents we need and send them to us. All I have to do is fill in some information and take them to the labor board. Voila - money.
As for insurance.... Frankly, shopping for insurance fills me with dread. Mainly because I'm utterly convinced that no matter who I sign up with, they're going to screw me. Hard. Lubelessly. No reach-around.
I know, I know, insurance is invaluable when the Unthinkable happens, and if I have it I'll be thankful for it. But nonetheless, these are for-profit businesses whose primary concern is making money, NOT my well-being. In fact, it is in their best interests not to spend any money on me. Thus, I don't trust them an inch.
At the meeting there was a list provided of available carriers, some of which accept payment by means other than credit card, but which they could not provide enough copies of for everyone. They said they'd post the list on the NOVA home page, but there's nothing there yet. The managers at the meeting said we should arrange insurance within a week, so I'm going to call tomorrow and make sure they put up that damn list.
So that's about it. I'm "working." Thought y'all might like to know.... *smile*