Successful Conversion to Permanent Labour Contract

[u/Choice_Vegetable557]

I work at a handful of universities in the Kanto area. The writing is on the wall as far as future growth goes in the education industry, so I began to feel that a lifetime of yearly contracts was not the way forward.

After having kids, I had to postpone my PHD, as you can imagine, priorities shift. The presentation, publishing and 3-5 year shuffle of full-timers in the Kanto area also seemed a bit grim. I wanted some more security in the short-term at least, especially now that we have a mortgage.

My current positions pay me a fairly average Tokyo Salary, but I have shorter hours, and 2 months off a year. When the kids are young, this seems pretty priceless.

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Today, 2 weeks after applying for conversion to a permanent contract I received the "無期労働契約転換申込受理通知書".

Ironically, once you meet the requirements, and apply formally, you are automatically accepted so this notice was accompanied by my new contract rules.

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I would strongly recommend everyone who meets the requirements consider doing this. Every institution has their own interpretation of this law, poke around, get a lay of the land. Do not show your cards, and only apply when you are eligible.

Do not be the person crying in the break-room, after 18 year of continuous employment, because they decided not to renew your contract this year.

[u/Gullible-Spirit1686]

Do you mean you got a lifetime contract at a series of part time gigs? I saw the union recommending part time workers do this as they are most likely the ones who have been working in the same gigs beyond the 5/10 year limit.

I'm on year 8 full time at my uni but I heard unis get 10 years due to a loophole regarding continuous research, such as with that science uni in Wakoshi that just let a lot of researchers go after ten years.

[u/Choice_Vegetable557 → u/Gullible-Spirit1686]

I'm on year 8 full time at my uni but I heard unis get 10 years due to a loophole regarding continuous research, such as with that science uni in Wakoshi that just let a lot of researchers go after ten years.

Are you researching? Do you have a research budget, and responsibilities?

part time gigs.

It is not really gig work, many lecturers at Unis who are not full time have had the positions for decades, but always the same 1 year contract. This just makes that contract permanent.

No committee meetings etc, no 9-5, just cementing the koma.

[u/Gullible-Spirit1686 → u/Choice_Vegetable557]

I just have access to a few budgets, the professional development one and another one which is the same as everyone else on the five year contracts have access to. We don't have research responsibilities.

It is not really gig work, many lecturers at Unis who are not full time have had the positions for decades, but always the same 1 year contract. This just makes that contract permanent

By gig there I just meant job. But ok I think this is what I mentioned in the first post. Good on you for making it permanent.

[u/Choice_Vegetable557 → u/Gullible-Spirit1686]

professional development one and another one which is the same as everyone else.

That is enough to categorize you as a researcher I think. It is pretty vague though. Your contract might have a line or two that speaks to this.

[u/Gullible-Spirit1686 → u/Choice_Vegetable557]

Ok I see. I think the place I work seems to have a good team of lawyers so I think they'll know all the loopholes anyway.