I don't want to stay at home!
Jan. 9th, 2006 12:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
naruki_oniSo I took Friday off, having already worked the full 8 hour day plus.
You may remember me talking about my manager in another post somewhere. He was my first manager, then I got shuffled to someone else, then I got shuffled back. Anyway, recent events revealed that, rather than being the "good guy" in management, he is every bit as greedy, self-serving, and backstabbing as the rest of the management (which is pretty much).
It was brought to my attention that he wanted to have a meeting with me, probably to discuss getting me to work for his company (yes, one of the reasons he doesn't do his job here is because he has his own company somewhere else). I was also warned not to trust him.
This puts me smack in the middle of the thing I dread the most about working (other than getting let go): Office Politics.
Sure enough, just before the new year he asked to meet with me and my SO (to translate and help make important decisions). I demurred, hoping he would forget. He didn't. A few days later he repeated his request and asked me to pick a day. I put it off until this week.
I do not want to switch to another company that I will have to quit as soon as I find another job (and I will have to quit that company). I do not want to piss him off by refusing, as he does have some power. And I do not want to piss off the big boss and pals by being seen as a potential traitor. At least until I get another job, then they can say whatever they want.
But I haven't gotten that job yet. It's a very uncomfortable position.
Well, I was planning to set up the meeting for next Friday. That would mean we could avoid making big decisions too soon. As you'll recall if you read the previous entry, I worked almost 22 hours from Thursday, so I took off last Friday.
Round about 2:30 Friday my manager sent me an email, naturally using the company email, and which I only chanced to download from home shortly before sleeping. It being all in Japanese save the "Happy New Year!" subject, I assumed it was a fluffy letter saying thanks for the hard work.
No such luck.
I got my SO to read it, and she went ape shit. Yesterday I got some other friends to read it, and I finally got a clear translation.
He informed me that my salary was being cut back to the original "trial period" salary, and added a little complaint that he tried to meet with me to explain. Not a word about me working extra hard.
Anyway, given the political situation, I had no idea if this idea originated with him or with the big boss - his letter didn't specify. Either proposition makes sense, but neither is justified.
Fortunately, after talking with some others and doing a little research, I also learned that it's not legal. Apparently there has to be just cause for such a reduction, it has to be discussed beforehand with the employees, and it cannot exceed 10% per pay period. Their proposed reduction amounts to more than a 30% reduction in my pay.
Tsk tsk.
So I am setting up that dreaded meeting for Wednesday. I go back to work on Tuesday, whereupon I will finally get a copy of my contract (another of their legal violations) from a friend. If necessary (for example, if the contract doesn't actually exist), we will use our bank statements to prove that they had given us the raise. We are also going to contact the government employment authority to get advice.
When we go to the meeting Wednesday, we will be loaded for bear.
Being a realist, I know they may do it anyway (they are very unprofessional and might not believe they can't do anything they want), and they could conceivably get away with it (you never know).
The only comforting thought is that I am not in this alone. I have heard that several others were also targetted. I am pretty sure that the wastrels in the management office didn't get hit at all, or at least not as hard, and that just adds insult to injury.
But if they do try to claim grounds such as being late or not working hard, I will sue them for discrimination. I at least went to work every day, unlike several of the management people who took fake leave while the big boss was out. I also did my work AND solved problems for others who couldn't do their own jobs.
The fact that the law states they cannot fire me for these discussions is also a big relief.
It is my hope that they will just drop all this nonsense and let me work out my term, however short I can make it.
But if they decide to play hardball, I am going, for once in my life, to stand up and spike the fucking ball on the return. In their face, if possible.
You may remember me talking about my manager in another post somewhere. He was my first manager, then I got shuffled to someone else, then I got shuffled back. Anyway, recent events revealed that, rather than being the "good guy" in management, he is every bit as greedy, self-serving, and backstabbing as the rest of the management (which is pretty much).
It was brought to my attention that he wanted to have a meeting with me, probably to discuss getting me to work for his company (yes, one of the reasons he doesn't do his job here is because he has his own company somewhere else). I was also warned not to trust him.
This puts me smack in the middle of the thing I dread the most about working (other than getting let go): Office Politics.
Sure enough, just before the new year he asked to meet with me and my SO (to translate and help make important decisions). I demurred, hoping he would forget. He didn't. A few days later he repeated his request and asked me to pick a day. I put it off until this week.
I do not want to switch to another company that I will have to quit as soon as I find another job (and I will have to quit that company). I do not want to piss him off by refusing, as he does have some power. And I do not want to piss off the big boss and pals by being seen as a potential traitor. At least until I get another job, then they can say whatever they want.
But I haven't gotten that job yet. It's a very uncomfortable position.
Well, I was planning to set up the meeting for next Friday. That would mean we could avoid making big decisions too soon. As you'll recall if you read the previous entry, I worked almost 22 hours from Thursday, so I took off last Friday.
Round about 2:30 Friday my manager sent me an email, naturally using the company email, and which I only chanced to download from home shortly before sleeping. It being all in Japanese save the "Happy New Year!" subject, I assumed it was a fluffy letter saying thanks for the hard work.
No such luck.
I got my SO to read it, and she went ape shit. Yesterday I got some other friends to read it, and I finally got a clear translation.
He informed me that my salary was being cut back to the original "trial period" salary, and added a little complaint that he tried to meet with me to explain. Not a word about me working extra hard.
Anyway, given the political situation, I had no idea if this idea originated with him or with the big boss - his letter didn't specify. Either proposition makes sense, but neither is justified.
Fortunately, after talking with some others and doing a little research, I also learned that it's not legal. Apparently there has to be just cause for such a reduction, it has to be discussed beforehand with the employees, and it cannot exceed 10% per pay period. Their proposed reduction amounts to more than a 30% reduction in my pay.
Tsk tsk.
So I am setting up that dreaded meeting for Wednesday. I go back to work on Tuesday, whereupon I will finally get a copy of my contract (another of their legal violations) from a friend. If necessary (for example, if the contract doesn't actually exist), we will use our bank statements to prove that they had given us the raise. We are also going to contact the government employment authority to get advice.
When we go to the meeting Wednesday, we will be loaded for bear.
Being a realist, I know they may do it anyway (they are very unprofessional and might not believe they can't do anything they want), and they could conceivably get away with it (you never know).
The only comforting thought is that I am not in this alone. I have heard that several others were also targetted. I am pretty sure that the wastrels in the management office didn't get hit at all, or at least not as hard, and that just adds insult to injury.
But if they do try to claim grounds such as being late or not working hard, I will sue them for discrimination. I at least went to work every day, unlike several of the management people who took fake leave while the big boss was out. I also did my work AND solved problems for others who couldn't do their own jobs.
The fact that the law states they cannot fire me for these discussions is also a big relief.
It is my hope that they will just drop all this nonsense and let me work out my term, however short I can make it.
But if they decide to play hardball, I am going, for once in my life, to stand up and spike the fucking ball on the return. In their face, if possible.
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Good luck with this
Date: 2006-01-09 08:36 am (UTC)The moral: If they want to get rid of you, they'll do anything. If you want to sue them, you'll lose in the end anyway. Either you lose the trial, or after winning the trial, they're going to fire you saying, that the mutual trust is disturbed (if you know what I mean).
Fortunately, you didn't lose your job, so I wish you all the best for your struggle.
Thanks.
Date: 2006-01-09 11:07 am (UTC)What I want is to last until I get another job. I think I will.
The other good thing is that I am not the only one they are screwing over. Some of the people they are attacking may be getting only 10% cuts, but the others are in the same boat I am in.
I really don't think they singled me out at all. My manager might have, but that's for some other stupid game he's playing. That they went after many others tells me they are just being greedy and stupid, as usual.
It's kind of funny that we are mentioned in the Japanese Wikipedia. The mention is by someone who obviously knows our company, and doesn't like it. It's not false, either.
No, they try to do things that they aren't legally allowed to do all the time. The main reason (other than stupidity and greed) is that they are extremely unprofessional. They don't bother talking to a lawyer or doing a little research before attempting to pull some stupid scheme.
I've been in a large company that was also crooked, but they were quite professional. They knew how to make someone retire if they wanted to, or how to fire him if need be. My current company is just some yahoos with visions of slave labor in their heads.
I am not the only one planning to leave. I know of at least 5 others with specific plans (one even told the bosses directly, he was so pissed at them). I am assuming the others that are competent just haven't told me their plans. The incompetent ones have no reason to quit, as they are lucky to have a job, let alone being close with the boss.
I have never seen a company this pathetic before, and I do have a little bit of experience in pathetic companies. This one is just breathtaking.
Not everyone loses lawsuits
Date: 2006-01-09 11:58 am (UTC)Good luck and go for the throat.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-09 12:31 pm (UTC)I am thoroughly disgusted.
Date: 2006-01-09 12:32 pm (UTC)No idea about the legal situation. Just take care you don't catch a crooked lawyer, on top of it all!
Your story has made a good "worst case story" at our coffee table, recently, by the way. We have our troubles here - but hearing about yours, we are still feeling blessed, more or less. To think we will end up in such a situation at the end gives us all the creeps.
*sends extra nerves and courage*
Wow.
Date: 2006-01-09 12:38 pm (UTC)I can easily see how it could get worse, and I am hoping it won't. But these guys are just not half as clever as they think they are, and that is what really gives me hope.
If they were that smart, I'd be screwed seriously and have little to no recourse. As it is, they are making plenty of obvious mistakes.
All of that should help me at the bargaining table. And as soon as I get another job, it's all moot. Save for the welfare of my friends.
I know where you're standing
Date: 2006-01-09 01:09 pm (UTC)You're lucky you have such specific laws over there. Here, they can cut salaries as much as they like, as long as they don't drop below the minimum wage. And most workers in the market are not organized.
Anyway... Gambate Kudasai.
Mmmm... I probably got that last one wrong... Well, if so, at least it's good for a smile. :-P
I know. I'm not playing to win.
Date: 2006-01-09 01:52 pm (UTC)The last guy who told them they were doing illegal things also quit. They asked him to come back, and he agreed to do so for only as long as it took to help the customer we screwed over.
Like I said, they aren't that professional. We have lost two servers since I've been there. TWO. Backups? He he he. You kidding me? The information lost has been quite painful, but they haven't learned a thing.
I'm not going to dump all my cards on the table, or play it too aggressively up front.
I will simply explain, politely, that the law prevents them from cutting my salary back the way they claimed they would. There is a good chance that will buy me another month.
Should it not be enough, I will add the other cards as needed. All I need is enough time.
They are ramping up another project where I will be crucial to the mix (to deceive the US customer that we have a bilingual staff that can handle all their problems, I suspect).
I know that I am not indispensible, I've had that proved all too recently. But I also know that they will do whatever they think they can easily get away with. A little resistance is probably all it will take to make them stop.
Honestly, I simply can't let them cut my paycheck out from under me. Even if this costs me my job, I have no choice but to fight them. And whatever they do, they cannot sway other companies against me. The interviews I've already been on have shown me that. (They all knew my company, and they all knew bad things about it.)
I could also report them to the authorities (for the spamming and scamming), but that would be a scorched earth option. Not something I even want to think about.
I regret to inform you...
Date: 2006-01-09 01:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-09 06:21 pm (UTC)Re: Wow.
Date: 2006-01-09 06:36 pm (UTC)After all, you're young and smart and pretty convincing :-P!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-09 09:51 pm (UTC)Also, an off topic question:
How hard is it to immigrate to Japan? I've heard it's a fairly hard process, but with the way things are running in the US, I want to get the hell out of here, ASAP. Japan happens to be on my list of places that interest me(and it pretty much has a permanant spot there, now that I've been there), and I'd kinda like to know how hard it is to get in, become a citizen, and live there.
I'm not entirely sure.
Date: 2006-01-09 10:40 pm (UTC)They have a high teacher turnover rate. Partly because people are just trying to have a foreign experience, but also because they burn out pretty fast.
But that may be your chance to finding that certain someone...
no subject
Date: 2006-01-09 10:47 pm (UTC)Re: I'm not entirely sure.
Date: 2006-01-10 02:25 am (UTC)I need out of the US. >.
Re: I'm not entirely sure.
Date: 2006-01-10 02:27 am (UTC)*thwaps LJ*
Fuckers
Date: 2006-01-10 08:16 pm (UTC)*WHAM*
Date: 2006-01-11 03:09 am (UTC)Stereotypes about Japanese business flying through windows everywhere, and exploding midair.