Frequently Asked and Pertinent Questions

Paid, Sick & Business Leave and other Contract Matters

• My school won't let me take nenkyuu (paid leave) during term time/ won't let me miss the opening/closing ceremony. Can you make them give me the time off?

• I have some daikyuu for working at the weekend. Can I take this whenever I like?

• I want to do an English camp, but my school won't give me time off/daikyuu. Why?

• I'm sick and I want to take byoukyuu, but my school is being difficult about it. What can I do?

• How are we paid? Are we paid retroactively?

• I'm a prefectural SHS JET. When will I get my housing subsidy payment?

• I'm leaving this summer. When is the last day of my contract?

• I'm leaving JET this summer. How is my return flight arranged?

• I used most of my paid leave, and I have some free time coming up. Can I take unpaid leave?

• My students are on vacation and I don't have anything to do at my visiting school. Can I just stay at my base school?

JET Related

• What's my JET Number?

• I haven't received the documents about __________. Are you sure you sent them out to me?

• Are regional meetings and Mid-Year Seminar compulsory?

• I have a question for the PAs but I'm not sure which of you it applies to. Should I email all three of you?

• I have a question but you haven't answered it yet. Should I try your personal mail/Facebook account/texting you/calling/PM on the boards/etc?

• I'm being really underused at school. I'm always bored, and am starting to feel a bit depressed. What can I do?

• Who is my Contracting Organisation (CO)?

• I'm going abroad and my CO is making me fill in an "Overseas Travel" form. Do I need to do this?

• X-sensei/My supervisor/My Principal is treating me very poorly! I don't think I can work with this person anymore. What can I do?

Life, Health and Wellbeing

• I need to see a doctor, but my Japanese isn't up to scratch. Can you recommend a doctor in my area that speaks English?

• I know I have insurance through JET, but should I take out an additional insurance policy when I travel abroad?

• Is ~ covered by my JET Insurance policy?

• I can't stand my apartment! It's too small/dirty/my neighbors are insufferable/ it's inconveniently located. I signed a X-year contract but I want to move ASAP! What should I do?

• There is an emergency back home. What can I do to get home ASAP, and how does it affect my work?

Your first month

• I didn't bring enough startup money and I don't have enough to get through to the first paycheck, what's going to happen?

• It's been a couple weeks and I am starting to really feel like I can't do this. I want to go home, who can I contact to make this happen?

• My school told me I didn't have to come in during Obon and now they are making me take nenkyuu. What can I do?