Borderlink
From Eikaiwa Wiki
Contents |
[edit] History
Borderlink is a company based in Omiya, Saitama.
[edit] Services
Borderlink provides ALT services to a range of Boards of Education in the Kanto area.
[edit] Employment
Borderlink is currently one of the lowest paying ALT companies in the Kanto area, with monthly amounts in the sub 180,000 to 230,000yen range, including "bonuses" and transportation. There is no pay over the August summer vacation period, and several days of forced "vacation" over the December New Years period.
Borderlink breaks several laws with it`s employment practices, most notibly the Labour standards law and "workers dispatch law." In contrast with many companies that supply ALTs to Boards of Education, Borderlink make little effort to hide the fact they they supply, illegal under the workers dispatch law, "temp" workers, rather than legal dispatch worker. Their Japanese website clearly indicates that they are a temporary worker supplier. Borderlink also do not hold a dispatch licence, another breach of the law.
The company is known for it`s highly frequent Japanese staff changes in the office, a problem that leaves many of it`s ALTs with no idea of who to contact when problems arise. Reciently all communication with the company has to be made through the human resources department, who are typically unable to address any of the issues raised. No answers, or highly delayed answers due to ALTs having to request information through a third party are common.
Treatment of ALTs terrible. Outside work for August was promised if wanted. "Sorry, communication mistake." People in company housing have had various charges and fees deducted from salaries, despite opposition. Despite having contracts that clearly state a fixed monthly salary, the company tried to pay on a daily rate. President of the company, Morikawa, visably upset when employees quote the Labour standards Law when questioning illegal practices. Claims of "salary overpayment" have been made along with requests to repay the "overpayment." Evaluations filled out by the schools on ALT performance are held by the company and not shown to the ALTs, despite it being one of the contract conditions with the B.O.E.
Ever changing office staff cause of much friction among B.O.E.s and school teachers. One head of education board discribed dealing with Borderlinl as "kimochiwarui." ALTs changed at will by the company, even when direct contact from the schools request otherwise.
[edit] Labour Standard Violations
Borderlink has recently been instructed by the Labour Standards Office that the following are illegal:
- Unpaid training: As the training is compulsory employees must be paid for this time. Borderlink have attempted to work around this decision by claiming the training is in fact "part of the interview process" despite many employees having confirmed job offers.
- Forced vacation: Borderlink cannot tell it's employees when to take either paid or unpaid holiday.
- Reduction of paid holidays: If you are required to be at a place of employment from a set time to a set time, you are entitled to 10 paid holidays, regardless of how many actual teaching hours in the classroom.
