I can't go into the specifics, for obvious reasons, but I was hired by Company A last month and I'm not really sure what to do, as they've already put in the paperwork to change my visa from student visa to a working visa. They're relatively small, somewhere between 50 amd 100 employees, but if my boss's home is any indication, the company is doing well financially.
My job description changed drastically since I was hired. Initially, I was told I'd be a private English teacher/tutor for company employees and a translator, but now I'm my boss's driver and "assistant" (aka servant). During the interview, I was told "‹x‚Ý‚ª‚ ‚Ü‚è‚È‚¢", but I did not realize it extended to weekends and public holidays. I've yet to get a single day off despite pulling 10+ hour days, as I was told it is "expected" (meaning unpaid) and that I misunderstood what the boss had meant when she explained my duties. I'm even guilt-tripped with the idea that "everyone else has been working hard without weekends, so why should a new hire be any different." I have heard nothing about health insurance, benefits, etc despite asking (I get roundabout answers or blatant "ask X person next time we're at the office" but never seem to have time to meet with them). When I asked when I would sign a contract, I was told that I "signed" an oral contract and that I'm already an employee, but that they would make one especially for me (I think it might be required for my sponsorship?). However they still have not shown it to me. I do know my salary - 200,000/month - but, in my opinion, that doesn't cover the level of stress I'm facing.
I'm frequently asked to buy things for my boss (expensive things) and have completely depleted my savings to the point where I've had to ask family members for financial help. But when I said I couldn't afford it, I was told I'd be reimbursed during the next pay period, so I shouldn't complain. I have no money to go home and was told I'd be charged for the remainder of my contract - I don't even know how long it is for (despite asking) - and the cost of my visa when I mentioned that I didn't think I was a good fit for the company to my manager. I suffer constant verbal abuse from my boss and the stress has gotten so bad I've developed health problems in just a month (stress blisters on my hands, brittle nails, blood pressure issues, fatigue, etc), but I have no leave to visit the doctor.
Additionally, I can't always get home. My boss's workday often ends too late for me to make all the train transfers and I have to stay in a company dorm. The room itself isn't terrible, but the reason that no one lives there now is because the heat is broken. My boss has offered to let me move in with her, but I'm utterly terrified that my job will become 24 hours a day, instead of just 10-12, so I keep making excuses...but I don't exactly have the capital to move either.
The final straw for me was when I was told by my boss's housekeeping staff (also foreign) that they were told a different story as well - they were told they would clean the house a few hours a day, but in reality are not allowed to leave for more than housekeeping-related errands. They are forbidden from visiting church. They suffer similar verbal abuse and, as they do not speak Japanese, I often have to interpret her orders when they make mistakes because she can barely string a coherent English sentence together.
I don't want to simply give up, but I honestly can't imagine myself continuing on like this for a year. The job itself isn't an issue, but I screw up more often when I'm exhausted (doesn't everyone?), which increases me getting chewed out, which increases my stress, and so on. Plus it isn't what I signed up for. Does anyone have any advice on how to say I'm worried about burn out and would like to be given a couple holidays a month? Everytime I've tried so far, I get guilt tripped. I'm worried about my health, but also about legal action if I try to leave...
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