GComm Reprogramming NOVA instructors...

At the end of last week, i.e. Thursday and Friday, training sessions, referred to as "Refresher" training sessions took place... These sessions, according to all reports were less to do with refreshing anything and more to do with learning the EC company philosophy...

It involves things like; smiling is the most important thing in the world, we need a sense of responsibility, an unbiased look at the world, and some incomprehensible rubbish about being like the sun... The first session was in Funabashi Minamiguchi on the Thursday and the second session took place at the Ginza head office... They were run by a Mr. Yamaya... The same man who, until now, had organized EC OJT and other training sessions and the man whose reputation as a trainer is less than sterling... According to everything I have heard, he did himself no favors in these training sessions, giving the first group about a 1 hour smiling and saying "hello" practice session...

People have said that he was "unprepared", "amateurish while telling us how to be professional", and "full of crap"... As far as I know, no-one died in any of these training sessions which is the only positive I can see coming from them... He was talking to some very experienced instructors e.g. 12+ years in NOVA like they were brand new... From all reports the rooms for the first two sessions were filled with BTs and ATs and even one AAM in the second session... Yet they were treated like people who had never stepped in a classroom before... Apparently most left angry and/or slightly amused by the whole thing...

Can anyone here report on what the sessions were like? Did you enjoy the feeling of being patronized???

NOVA UNPAID SALARY Paperwork is in!

Hey all... I got my paperwork... I will fill it all out tomorrow... and will sort it soon...

Soon it will be time to.....




Hope everyone else has their stuff if not... Contact the Trustees ASAP!!!!

Paperwork for unpaid NOVA wages coming in...

Hey all... I am sure those of you in Japan may have heard but those of you far away might not have...

Some people (not me. of course) have received the final pieces of paperwork needed to claim past pay... I am not sure, but have been led to believe that the paperwork includes all the information on what to do regarding applying for it... I am hearing once everything is done, it will be a month until we see money in accounts, but I think that is a very optimistic number... If it's true, March will end with a big bang for all of us...

There are detailed instructions for those O/S and they have things like the leaving the country tax business and all that (if you are not resident in Japan, your income tax jumps to about 20%)... For people who worked to the end of business (October 26) it appears you will get 80% of all of September and October up to the 26th... The October period is causing confusion, so I will have to wait until I can verify what it will be...

I hope you all get your paperwork in a quick fashion... I can't emphasize enough, that if you have moved, you need to tell the trustees that you have and give them your new info... Don't let your chance slip...

Shakai Hoken News for GComm NOVA Instructors...

Just a quick one that will only affect BTs, AAMs and some other married instructors who took Shakai Hoken under NOVA...

The insurance cards for these people are starting to come in... 2 different people have told me that their cards have arrived and that they are then covered... Some people have been terribly concerned that theur wives, children etc. would not be covered as no-one had seen the cards... But now they are here and we can all breathe easier...

More Branch Openings Planned For GComm NOVA

These are the branch openings from the GComm NOVA official website...

・08/03/19
　 愛知岡崎駅前校

・08/03/15 　大阪東梅田校

・08/03/12 　大阪日本橋駅前校

・08/03/09 　大阪難波駅前校

・08/02/16 　東京池袋西口校

This indicates that Ikebukuro NishiGuchi was scheduled to open on Feb 16... Just across the station from possibly the largest branch in Japan... In March, 3 Osaka branches are planning to open... They appear to be in Namba, Nipponbashi, and Higashi Umeda... Hope I didn't mess the Kanji up... As well as an opening in Okazaki in Aichi prefecture... The 3 Osaka locations seem pretty central, any Kansai teachers can probably help us with that information and Okazaki appears to be a touch more suburban in the Nagoya area...

I am not sure if these places had branches before, and if the same buildings will be used... Ikebukuro Nishiguchi I know did, and I am assuming it will be in the same building as when I walked past there last week I think the signs were all still there... I have also a heard a rumor about a possible opening in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's other busy hotspots, and one of our area's standby instructors got a call to work there in just over a week... If anyone has heard any similar rumors of openings that aren't on the website yet, please let us know... I am glad another teacher can come off standby... Now this area will only have 2 still on standby from a list of 11 before...

Please share stories of teachers coming off standby, being stuck on standby, getting or being refused contracts... Share the information... The more we know, the better off everyone will be...

BACKPAY NEWS FOR NOVA INSTRUCTORS!!!

Sorry all, forgot to add this earlier... A guy at work got a call from the lawyers today as he had moved address for them to send his paperwork to, and they called to confirm his new address... They told him on the phone that his paperwork was being sent next week... This is the first confirmed news we have had that says when the paperwork was coming through... Officially once paperwork is taken in (I assume to Kawasaki in the Kanto area), it takes about 30-40 days... But in our case, it could take longer as there are so many people owed money...

IMPORTANT!!!
If you know anyone who is owed backpay and has left the country they need to contact the Trustees... Direct them to this website... Make sure they send their current address, their phone number, email address, and their NOVA instructor number to facilitate all enquiries...

The details of the Trustees from the old NOVA website are;

we would like to ask you to fax or mail individual inquiries
to the following fax number or address, as it is difficult to deal with
them by phone. While this may cause considerable inconvenience to all
related parties we would appreciate your understanding towards the
particular nature of this case where there are an extremely large number
of related parties.
Fax number: 06-6649-9790
Address: Midosuji Minami Bldg 4th floor
2-3-2 Nishi Shinsaibashi,
Chuo-ku, Osaka

Shitty news for Standby NOVA instructors...

The worst news update for today (3 in a day, can you believe it?)... My AM and old AAM have told me that GComm have changed the ratios... We are now aiming for a 1:50-60 ratio （the official number seems unclear as is often the case)... So when we thought we almost had enough students for one teacher to come back off of standby, we need to get close to
60 more to get a teacher back off standby... And it was only a short while ago we were told that because of the occasional lateness students couldn't take lessons...

Frequent cancellation of classes due to instructors’ absenteeism has disappointed us because we had higher expectations of the new NOVA.”

“In the past NOVA cancelled a lot of lessons so our lesson package expired with many lessons left. We want you to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen again.”

Idiots! Do they not see that they are falling into the same trap??? Of course they do... And when it happens it will be the teachers' fault that these guys couldn't manage a Rock Paper Scissors game... We need to bust our humps to get everyone back, and guys on standby or planning to quit your job, get the new job quick so we can help our brethren out...

Comment on the email from Masaki Inayoshi...

OK, the whole message has been posted below, as well as a comment from Paulzdeli...

My summary is in italics, and my comments are in brackets...

A positive start with a thanks for working hard and sticking with our jobs even though we didn't get paid for so long (the pay bit wasn't there... It's how I read it...) Inayoshi says that overall he is pleased to have taken over the new NOVA so far... He shows his lefty side by saying how much he respects unions... BUT!!! When checking the Union website, he says they are leaving out detail or lying about what he said (the NOVA union??? NEVER)... Whether someone is in the union or not has no influence on whether they get a contract or not (Yeah, right...)

GComm inherited a company that was not making profit (no shit Sherlock! Maybe that's why it went out of business) and salary costs are high (that's because of us greedy people wanting a paycheck every month) and they can't give contracts to shitty teachers and they can't keep paying teachers to stay on standby...

Union says "You were going to hire us all" (they also said after an interview, which never happened in big cities)
GComm says "We were going to hire the ones we liked and/or were willing to move to Hicktown Japan"

Unions says "You aren't giving anyone new contracts"
GComm says "We are giving new contracts to most but some areas are short of teachers and some places don't have enough teachers, so we will give them contracts if they move to where we want them..." (hahaha you are all at my disposal now, you pawns...)

Union says "You aren't giving us union bosses contracts" (that doesn't really surprise me)
GComm says "That they are in the union has nothing to do with us, and a lot of people applying for jobs are people who used to work for NOVA years ago (read Bob Tench didn't get a job) and we have enough teachers so screw them"

Union says "G Group sucks"
GComm says "We are following the law"

Union says "WE STRIKE!"
GComm says "WTF?"

There are 7 points in summary which are basically a repeat of what's above... Read the post below to see exactly what they say...

Thanks to the good and hardworking people left in NOVA... (the ones who we have so far been willing to bend...)

Overall, GComm is trying to get rid of what they consider troublemaking instructors and move the instructors from bigger areas to other areas where they are short staffed... They don't seem to realise that by April 1 they will have nearly nobody left as everyone goes on to fill in every ALT contract in Japan... This going to be an interesting couple of weeks or months...

Message from GComm to all instructors... Thanks Paulzdeli...

Here is the message in full from Masaki Inayoshi to all instructors... It is quite long, so grab a beverage... Thanks Paulzdeli for posting it to comments...

To: Nova instructors

As there have been enquiries, questions and concerns received from instructors who have viewed the General Union website, the Chairman of G. Communication would like to take this chance to communicate the message below.
********************************
Firstly, I would like to thank all the instructors and staff of G. communication for the effort everyone is putting into their work. I would also like to add that I really do think that Nova has a large number of tremendous people and great instructors.

I am also very appreciative of the assistance that we have received in working to increase student numbers and open schools in the current winter season. It was great to see so many people attend the get-together parties that I planned in each of the regions.
In short, I am truly pleased to have taken up the challenge of moving Nova forward from this point on.

I should say that I also have a great deal of respect for unions and also, for the role the union movement actually plays in our society itself.

However, I have to admit that I was surprised when looking at the current homepage of the General Union. What appears is in fact quite a bit different from what I really would like to express. It was disappointing to find out that some important points have been omitted or in fact even left out completely.
I have also received enquiries expressing concern that I am only interested in members of the union. I have to say, and would like to make it very clear that in making decisions, whether someone is a member of the union or not plays no part at all in influencing the decisions that are made.

G. education has inherited Nova from a position where there was actually not even 1 yen profit and the salary requirements for one month come to about 600,000,000 yen. I do not think, however, that this is an inappropriate amount. At this time, even should someone have had a contract with Nova as it existed before, if the performance of an instructor has not been satisfactory we will not be in a position to offer contract renewals. I will make all efforts possible to take into consideration the situation of instructors who are yet to have a place of employment, however I am also sure that you appreciate that it will not be possible to continue to provide salaries indefinitely to instructors who are on standby at home.

Points and Demands 1
The monthly layoffs continuing since December are in violation of the basic agreement with the District Court to offer "Employment to all applicants" and go against the chairman's press announcements.

[The response from the company]
* I was not said that we will hire everyone unconditionally, nor has that been the case. In principle, we will go through an interview process and then make an employment decision based on the individual situation of each instructor, notwithstanding exceptional circumstances. We have not laid anyone off. When making contract renewal decisions, our deliberations will be based on the instructor having fulfilled his or her role as an instructor. In cases where there is no place of work, a further condition of renewal of contracts will be the ability and willingness to transfer. Keeping in mind that the number of branches have been drastically reduced since the company's rebirth and continuance, it is not possible to renew the contracts of instructors for whom we have no place of work to offer.

Exceptional circumstances --> As a result of the interview; unsatisfactory performance with the former NOVA; actions which have a negative impact on the reputation of NOVA; the business preparation not being complete; not being able to transfer to a different area.

Points and Demands 2
The requests for contract renewal by instructors presently subject to the terms of one-year contracts with the pre-existing NOVA have been mostly refused.

[The response from the company]
*Student enrollment is progressing well, so there is a limit to the number of instructors who will be unable to renew their contracts. In some areas, we already have a shortage of instructors. On the other hand, as we also have areas where there is an oversupply, contracts can be renewed in the event that relocation is possible, even if only for a fixed period of time, and as long as performance has been satisfactory. However, in cases where the initial business preparation has not been completed, more than two months' notice of cessation of employment will be provided to those affected.

Points and Demands 3
Union leaders have not been re-employed

[The response from the company]
*We have not refused employment to an individual due to union membership. Moreover, of the people who have requested to be hired, more than half are people who have left Nova some years ago. Under the present conditions, we have enough instructors already, so we cannot employ people simply on the basis that they are union members or otherwise.

>Point
Throughout the entire G group, employment contracts and regulations are inadequate.

The response from the company
*At this point in time, in managing the company's operations, legal compliance is considered a fundamental necessity. It is not possible for a company to continue operating if Labor Standards laws are not being complied with. This claim has no foundation.
Procedures undertaken when joining the company are based on the applicable laws and conducted appropriately. All agreements between labor and management are completed appropriately. Various working regulations etc. can be viewed on the Intranet at any time, and, in addition to that, these laws are being complied with in each of the branches.

>Announcement
Strike in order to protect the rights of the students.

[Company viewpoint concerning this]
*We cannot see the point that is under discussion here.

Current policy is as follows.

[1] G.education will take over the contracts of the former Nova under the same employment conditions and working regulations that were the case previously.

[2] At the time that the contract expires, in the case of both parties agreeing, the contract will be renewed.

[3] In exceptional cases, where the performance of an instructor has been deemed to be unsatisfactory, the contract will not be renewed. This being said, in April, from a total of 120 instructor contract decisions, only seven fell into this category, This judgement was influenced in no way by whether or no particular instructors were members of the union.

[4] At the moment, there is a lack of instructors in some branches whilst at the same time, there are almost 200 instructors who are on standby. In this instance, as long as an instructor's performance has been deemed to be satisfactory, and they are willing to move to an area where they are required, G.education will assure that their contract will be renewed.

[5] In the case of areas where the initial business preparation has not been completed, more than two months' notice of cessation of employment will be provided, and salaries will be paid until March 31st.

[6] In regards to contract renewals and all personal matters, whether a person is a member of a union or otherwise will not be a factor in any decision.

[7] If you have any questions please contact one of the numbers listed below.
TOKYO foreign personnel office
TEL: 03-5524-2481
OSAKA foreign personnel office
TEL: 06-7688-0404

Finally, I very much look forward to working with all of the positive and motivated people at NOVA, in moving on from this point toward an enjoyable and successful future.

Yours Sincerely,
Masaki Inayoshi

2 interesting emails from G Communication...

2 emails came today to branches... One of which I have read, the other one I am yet to read but will post about it at some stage tomorrow...

The one I have read is in Japanese and says to the Japanese staff that throughout the company there is a rule that our staff are not to give ANYONE, that includes fellow staff, instructors, anyone so-called "GIRI CHOCO", or "obligation chocolate" (the one you feel you have to give people just because you work with them and not because you like/love them)... Lucky my manager told me that she is actually in love with all of us, so she will still give us chocolate...

The other one I have heard about and from what I have heard, it is a bunch of claims from the General Union (Nambu maybe) and then the responses to them from the company president... I can post to the blog and read comments from my mobile, so if anyone has had a good chance to read it, then can you put a short review of the article in a comment and I will make the whole thing available with a summary and comment at some stage tomorrow...

In the meantime, have a Happy Valentine's Day... tell someone you love them... Not that you need a day, but it gives us all an excuse, doesn't it?

Possible news about Backpay for GComm NOVA people???

There is a comment on Lets Japan that says that someone knows someone who says that they got their backpay documents... This was also repeated on a comment on this blog... What I had heard from friends who went to the labour office and Hello Work was that the documents would not be ready until the beginning of March and then the processing would begin... Now, I would like to know first hand if any readers here have received the third and final envelope necessary to claim the backpay that we are all owed...

If you have received it then please put a comment on to tell us... Again if you know someone who has and it is reliable then please put it on... I am not in the business of rumour-mongering, I just want the exchange of information to be as honest, smooth and fast as possible...

Not a real post... but this is funny...

It's old but good, I was playing in Gizoogle... www.gizoogle.com and put the blog in there...

Here is the resulting page... Made me chuckle yo...

http://sites.gizoogle.com/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgcommnova.blogspot.com

Almost there... a phenomenal effort...

So speaking to the AM today and a Block Trainer in a neighbouring branch it turns out that a few days ago one teacher came back off of standby. Our branch is 20 students away from calling in another instructor, the nearby branch has one coming in off of standby next week, and the other branch in the area is about 12 students away, so effectively that means that by about next Thursday, our area, which had previously had 9 instructors on standby, will only have 2 left on standby... This is an awesome effort, and I have to pay tribute to the trainers in nearby branches who are in the AM's ear the whole time and making sure she knows how urgent it is that our guys (all the standby instructors are male) get back to work...

I transferred to my original branch (the one I was at before the shut down) on February 1st. The branch is becoming quite full now, when I started at the original branch in November we would get about 6 frees a day as well as a usually empty VOICE lesson... Today I had no free lessons, at the start of the day some were scheduled, but they filled in during the day... Things are kind of getting back into a normal kind of pattern, or as normal as it could be...

Unfortunately due to this crap, I have to say goodbye to a good friend tomorrow... This experience is toughening all of us up, and desensitizing me to goodbyes...

A funky spin on the recent fax....

Here is a video made by a guy called Lightning Jack about the fax and email we all received... Some of the wording is different from the one that I received, but the background music is a nice change to the doom and gloom with which we would read the thing by ourselves....




The inference that it is our fault, and not the incompetent management's fault that the company may still fail infuriates and sickens me... Yet it doesn't surprise me... No-one wants to hear that they are incompetent...

Would you like your English well done or medium rare?

Well, Let's Japan has posted that according to a news story brought up by one of their comment posters, which matches one we had here yesterday Takashi Ono has been replaced by Mr. Hideo Sugimoto as CEO of G Education.

Sugimoto was the boss of Yakinkuya Sakai which is one of the millions of companies under the whole GComm umbrella... Here is a link to the list of companies under the GComm umbrella, yet they found it appropriate to choose the boss of a Yakiniku joint to put in charge of all of G Education, that is NOVA as well as the rest of G Education's businesses ... Let's just see how this affects our situation at work... I am hoping not to have to do any serving of meat products anytime soon, but who knows what will be required???

Of course, it appears that this Sugimoto chap is adept at cost-cutting and bringing companies back from the dead so to speak... Let's just hope that this will not involve more firings, nor the delay in hiring back friends who are still on standby...

The Threatening Email

About 3 hours ago, I received an email from GComm, and according to the email all instructors received the same thing... I had heard rumors of this and warned the teachers at work that I had heard this was happening... Supposedly, this went out in an email to managers a week or two ago, and only now the instructors are being told... GComm feel they can bully us as they have so many teachers on standby ready to take our jobs if we show up late to work... For those who didn't get the message it is included below... Summary is, if you are late you are fired, if you are seriously ill, you can call Foreign Personnel... Those working at GComm, do yourselves
a favor and be on time...

To all NOVA instructors,

Having re-opened the branches succeeded from the previous NOVA, we have started lessons and have received words of gratitude from former NOVA students. New enrolments are also increasing each day.

However, over the past few days complaints from NOVA students about instructor absenteeism have been reported to G.education Head Office. These complaints include comments like:

“Frequent cancellation of classes due to instructors’ absenteeism has disappointed us because we had higher expectations of the new NOVA.”

“In the past NOVA cancelled a lot of lessons so our lesson package expired with many lessons left. We want you to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen again.”

On looking into records of lesson cancellations, over a one-month period more than 3000 hours of NOVA lessons were cancelled due to instructor absences. At this point in NOVA’s revitalization we can not lapse into the same situation as the public is closely observing how NOVA performs. For the company to prosper we need to avoid disappointing students at all costs.

As a result, from today the following rules are implemented:

* No absenteeism will be permitted.
* In unavoidable circumstances, such as poor health, instructors should continue to contact Foreign Personnel by the established deadlines.

If you are unable to meet these expectations, it may not be possible to continue your employment
with G.education.

We trust that you have a thorough understanding of the current situation and thank you for your cooperation.


Takashi Ono C.E.O
G.education Co., Ltd.

* This document has been produced to inform you of company policy and is being sent to all NOVA instructors.