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For $450, a Japanese Company Will Quit Your Job for You

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Re: For $450, a Japanese Company Will Quit Your Job for You

#61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On what legal grounds are they asking you to pay them money? Did you sign a bond or something similar on joining? I have heard anecdata of that not being enforceable.

Company HR will ask you to sign a bond once you get selected in the visa lottery. We have to sign this bond if we want them to go ahead with our H1B process. This is different from the bond they have for freshers (which usually lasts for 2 years at the start of your career). Once we sign this bond, we have to accept whatever salary they offer for our onsite assignment (deputation to US). People won't even know their…

That’s pretty close to indentured servitude. I’m sorry you have to endure that.

Re: For $450, a Japanese Company Will Quit Your Job for You

#62
post #17

Resigning seems hard, but it's a little bit like giving regular feedback in my opinion. First of all it's best done face to face, because you don't want to be misunderstood, and you want to give the other party a fair chance at replying. Second, you give the compliment sandwich. You start out with thanking them for the opportunity (any job is an opportunity, no matter how shitty it was, you made money and you learned…

These all seen like great reasons to resign in writing. You can be very clear and you won't forget anything important in the heat of the moment. Your manager can similarly provide a measured response.

I always do this and I've maintained cordial relations with former employers.

Re: For $450, a Japanese Company Will Quit Your Job for You

#63
post #31

This sort of thing seems really sad to me, From the site linked in the article, "Proper Etiquette for Quitting Your Job in Japan": Show your appreciation to every member of the company, or at least those you have been working with directly. Sweets, small gifts such as mugs, tea sets, a thank-you card or other similar items will be appreciated by everyone. Prepare those for your last day on the job. Usually, Japanese…

I recently watched the movie "Oh Lucy" (with Shinobu Terajima, Josh Hartnett, Kaho Minami)[1] where we (outsiders) can see the traditional mentality/way of thinking of a working environment in Japan. I do understand that this is a movie, so some things are softened/exagerated, and reading the article I immediately understood that the "normality" is and how the movie represented this elegantly.

[1]: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6343058

Re: For $450, a Japanese Company Will Quit Your Job for You

#66
post #18
post #17

Resigning seems hard, but it's a little bit like giving regular feedback in my opinion. First of all it's best done face to face, because you don't want to be misunderstood, and you want to give the other party a fair chance at replying. Second, you give the compliment sandwich. You start out with thanking them for the opportunity (any job is an opportunity, no matter how shitty it was, you made money and you learned…

I think like most "weird Japan" articles this one is being mischaracterised somewhat. It is often somewhat difficult in Japan to get your legal entitlement when leaving a so called "black" company. They might not easily pay out your remaining holiday, or they might use "power harassment" to otherwise make your exit process difficult. So I can see that a company like this, while not providing legal services, removes t…

I mean, there's also the fact that these stories never tell you how prevalent or not these services are. All the attention showered on these unusual services can give you the idea that every second person in Japan is using them when that's far from true.

Re: For $450, a Japanese Company Will Quit Your Job for You

#67
post #47
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> First of all it's best done face to face, because you don't want to be misunderstood, and you want to give the other party a fair chance at replying. You're making an assumption here: that one is leaving for amicable reasons (e.g., a better paying job elsewhere, a new career path, going back to school, etc.). There's another mindset that this sort of company is perfect for: "I don't give a hoot about my soon-to-be-…

Amicable reasons or not, face to face is best. At work you sometimes have to face situations that are not pleasant. Staying calm and professional pays dividends. One can (and should) still be quick and firm during the resignation meeting. And the world is a small place -- exiting right can help you in the future, even if you think you will never work with that company again. My 2c.

All other things being equal it's better to leave amicably. But sometimes it's just not possible. For instance, if you are being subjected to flagrant harassment, I don't think anyone in their right mind would argue you need to do anything beyond the legal minimum out of some sense of obligation.

Re: For $450, a Japanese Company Will Quit Your Job for You

#68
post #31

This sort of thing seems really sad to me, From the site linked in the article, "Proper Etiquette for Quitting Your Job in Japan": Show your appreciation to every member of the company, or at least those you have been working with directly. Sweets, small gifts such as mugs, tea sets, a thank-you card or other similar items will be appreciated by everyone. Prepare those for your last day on the job. Usually, Japanese…

Your comment makes me sad, you like most people don't appreciate culture that you don't understand.

He's praising the culture though?

Re: For $450, a Japanese Company Will Quit Your Job for You

#70

I'm sure this is similar in other cultures but Japan still has a strong attitude that you're lucky to have a job. Contrast that to us (myself included) spoiled Silicon Valley type engineer who gets job offers often and companies trying to entice us with free food, game rooms, etc... From that, people who have a job in Japan often feel obligated as in "You gave my a job and made it possible to live my life. You invest…

The problem is that, while employees still feel this sense of obligation, management has gradually undergone "Americanization" and has far fewer qualms about not holding up their end of the bargain.
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