So its the eve of my wedding ceremony. My parents have come to Japan. ...And I'm somewhat miffed. Why? I shall explain.
In the last "Less Money, More Problems" editorial, I believe I mentioned my former boss threatening to not pay me my final paycheck if I didn't hand in two forms that I really didn't need to hand in. I went to the Labor Bureau and asked if he could legally get away with that. The advisor I spoke to told me no, he couldn't. He made a copy of the lawbooks where it says employers are not allowed to withhold paychecks from employees, and underlined the key phrase. The advisor suggested I email my former company telling them I wasn't going to hand in the forms, that withholding my paycheck would be illegal, and to include a scanned copy of the page from the lawbook as evidence. I did exactly that. I never got a reply to that email, so I figured that perhaps, defeated, my former boss had known when to quit, and would pay me my final paycheck which I desperately NEED on the verge of getting married.
...Nope.
Today was payday. Or at least, it should have been. I checked my account twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Nothing. I did not get paid for my final month of work.
Getting shafted out of money you rightfully and legally earned is infuriating enough, but especially in my case, when I don't have any money to begin with, and was counting on that paycheck to pay my rent and bills...well...yeah, I'm sure you can all imagine how not pleased I might be.
I'm not sure if he thought I was wrong about the whole "not paying your workers" is illegal claim, or just thought that I was bluffing when I said I would go back to the Labor Bureau if I didn't get my paycheck. I have no idea what he's thinking. I know what I'm thinking though: It's time to deliver the biggest Gaijin Smash since Perry opened up Japan with the big black gunships.
First, I've got to deal with the wedding ceremony tomorrow...um...in 18 hours. And hosting my parents, who've traveled 5000 miles across an ocean to be here. And my wife's family who is being very kind and accommodating to everyone. And all the friends and acquaintances coming to the wedding and after party. But then next week...its time to fight.
Until I get my money, I'm royally screwed...but I can't even see that right now. Before, I just wanted to quit the company and go my separate way in peace. Now, I'm determined to get the money he's trying to cheat me out of, even if that means I have to bring down the whole damn company to do it.
To all those who are freaked out about the possibility of working in Japan; don't worry, this is not the norm, not by a long shot. As I said before, any job will have co-workers or even bosses you don't like, and perhaps some unfavorable conditions, but this job/company is way past extreme. As usual, I just seem to have special luck or something.
Don't worry about me, I'm fine. I'm not worried about the possibility of not being able to pay rent this month or even the time/resource/energy drain that the upcoming legal fight may pose. Right now I'm just focused on the wedding. After the wedding is said and done (hopefully without any hitches!)...then its time to fight.
Go Az, don't let that ass of a (ex-)boss get the best of you, he must be pretty brave to stand up against a big black scary gaijin. About the wedding: congratulations, I hope that your life turns for the better now that your getting married (well only the ceremony, you were legally married months ago)
Hang in there Az, you've got our support!
If I were you. I would dress Extremely HipHop...say...Tupac. With the red bandana in the head, extra baggy jeans...a Scarface XXXL t-shirt, Shave Half you head. Like only half of it. Go with the Crazy Eyes, Black Leather Gloves, and a VERY VERY intimidating Angry look. And "demand" nicely your money. Tell him you wont sign anything and you need to get your money THAT DAY. Dress and Look like a killer...and give Serial Killer eyes...but be normal...request your money...intimidate him. If you dont sign that paper I bet you he will either way give bad reference about you. Saying you are lazy and quit because he made you work more. You got little to lose and $$$$ to gain....
Just dont go Fight Club on his ass like in the movie...even if beating yourself up in front of him would be fucking crazy cool...jaja
That is ridiculous!
You could sue the company though and make tons of money. Then you wouldn't have to worry so much.
Congratulations on the wedding, Az! :]
I can't wait to see pictures!
Give em hell!
May I please say first Az, "long time reader, first time commentor. Love your blog."
Second. Gaijin smash their asses so hard their ancestor's ashes feel the pain. As wonderful of a culture and spirit that the Japanese may possess, the concept of "Don't start no shit, there won't be no shit" is obviously lost on them.
You as an educator (at least at heart) are particualarly posistioned to give a few of the fine sons and daughters of Nippon that education.
Give em hell.
I hope this doesn't gives you a "don't hire this gaijin, he will give trouble to company" stamp from your boss to other companies. :S
"After the wedding is said and done (hopefully without any hitches!)...then its time to fight."
You have a noble cause, Az. You have my sword.
I don't say this to minimize or slight the money problems, but just put them out of your mind for the next day or two and enjoy the wedding and having all your family close! You only wed once, so don't let your boss being a cockmaster ruin it for you.
Have a great day and mazel tov!
For the next couple of days put the money problems out of your mind and enjoy your wedding and having all your friends and family with you. You only wed once, so don't let your former boss being a cockmaster spoil it even in the slightest. You're clearly in the right and things will turn out well.
Have a great day and mazel tov!
Thousand years of pain, Az. Give them an epic corporate kancho.
I'm pretty sure if you wanted to, you can summon all your readers and we will eat your boss. Level 3 Gaijin Summon?
And you have my bow.
FINISH THEM!
Dude, you GOTTA tell us what this guy did to you. Its like going to a strip club; you see it, smell it, maybe touch it, but other that that you know nothing else about it. C'mon man! You make it sound like he came to your house and boiled your pet bunny. I'm very interested to hear about this job from hell. SPILL IT! (After the wedding of course :) )
Hang on in there - Good luck with the battle
Good luck getting you paycheck and have a great time at your wedding!
Best of luck, Az! We're all behind you.
Charge that laser, Az, we're cheering.
That's horrendous... but tomorrow will be amazing, you won't even be worrying about it.
Congrats, and PICTURES!
u kno if the offical way doesnt work u can still use the unoffical way. making damage that comes close to the money they took from u. eggs, stones, spray cans are always good for that. i mean u wont be richer..but u will feel better
I hope everything goes well with the wedding!
As for the boss...I say give him the hardest Gaijin Smash since the time that a African man became a samurai (and if I'm not mistaken, he was high ranked...it's in some history books, but you have to look hard)!!! When you are done with him, just leave him in his puddle of urine and tears!!!
Seriously though, I know everything will work out, but I hope that it doesn't take too long. You have the legal system on your side.
As Brian said about "Gaijin Smash them so hard their ancestor's ashes feel pain." Just give them a lil more so that their children's children's children would also feel that shit! Good luck Az!
"Give them nothing, but take from them...EVERYTHING!!"
Go kick his legal arse, man! For now, though... enjoy the wedding. Even though you two have already been married for a while it remains a special occasion.
That's some messed up stuff to be going through right before your wedding. Good luck with your fight against the company that won't give you what's rightfully your's.
I hope you have a great wedding.
Don't just give 'em the biggest Gaijin Smash in history, give 'em the RAGING DEMON SMASH!! Then just stand there for a few seconds and let the kanji "Ten" glow on your back as you look all bad-ass and shit.
Either way, take what's yours Az!
Hey Az just relax bro, tomorrow is when you need to stress. Just make sure you have a get-a-way car if you get cold feet so that you can escape from SSJ4 Bridezilla.
On a serious note, have you heard from Moeko or seen her recently? We are all still touched by her and her story.
My god, the lawyer's will have a field day with this one. I believe your boss actually doesn't believe that you are serious in getting your wages. You wouldn't believe how many times this kind of actually happens, under wraps. Companies will screw people out of their last check, and the person will think they need a lawyer to get one back, they don't even think to go the labor board.
Anyway, good luck with that Az. It's really pathetic that you have to go through legal means to get the money you earned.
But, then again. Lawyers have their own mythical powers, similar to a gaijin smash, or so I've heard.
Kekkon omedetou!
So your mantra in this fight is indeed "Gaijin Smash". Nice. Go for it man. Go forth and conquer.
Congratulations on the wedding and the best of luck!
I don't really have anything witty to say, I'm just a general well wisher. I hope everything goes well! I've really enjoyed reading your blog and I'll be cheering for you (sorry if I'm overly optimistic)
Congrats on the wedding!
Holy mother of god. It's wedding bells now. I've been a long-time reader since the stories were originally posted in Outpost Nine, and it's one hell of a journey now, coming full circle.
Congrats and good luck in the battle.
Hell, if the Raiders are in the lead of the AFC West ahead of THE Chargers and the Chiefs, this shouldn't be a biggie. :P
You know what he's thinking. He's thinking what all abusive asshole types are thinking: "I can do this and take advantage of Underling X here, because odds are he won't go through the hassle of dealing with government agencies and legal avenues." It's not JUST because you're a foreigner either - these types err on the side of asshole because for every employee who doesn't make a fuss and walk away, they make a profit.
If i were you, I'd take it one step further: inform him that you will go to the law AND the press/internet, ensuring that his wallet and his company's reputation will take a hit. You know the importance of reputation to Japanese people.
So in just a few short hours you are having your ceremony! I wish you and your wife all the best!
Congratulations!
...and my AXE!
I've read other Japanese workplace horror stories, and even though I never really considered taking up a job there (expect for a brief phase where I thought I could somehow publish a manga, despite being a foreigner and not being able to draw worth anything), I've now cemented it.
Anyways, Good luck, give 'em hell.
Woo-hoo!
I wouldn't be surprised if you become more famous after this.
Good luck on the battle field!
Congrats on the big day finally arriving! And don't worry, you've got tons of angry unemployed people here in America supporting you! *gives black head nod of empowerment*
Go get 'em, tiger!
Have fun at your wedding tomorrow.
Enjoy it and forget about your work paycheck for at least a day.
Then, fight for the money and find a job soon.
Post pictures!
Holy crap Az! I've been reading since your school teacher days, and I'd just like to wish you good luck, on both your wedding AND money!
There's a reason why all the lawyer advertisements are on during the day in the States: unemployed folks have plenty of time to file lawsuits. Your former boss should wisen up before pissing off someone who just quit his job!
...Does Japan have any good lawyers?
Cause you could get your paycheck and more.
Is this guy so thick in the head, that he doesn't realize you come from the place that refined the lawsuit? I think England invented them, and in California we refined them to the point of it being the public motto: "Sue thy neighbor."
Remember also, the tough stuff only helps you grow & be a stronger, better person. Don't back down, dude.
Congrats on the wedding!
Good luck with the company, own them like a fat kid would at a candy store! :D
Give 'em hell man! I want you to Gaijin Smash him so hard that another one of their Prime Ministers resigns.
Congrats on the wedding!!
Wish you luck with the ex-boss. If things don't work out you could always "accidentally" type the company's website. I'm pretty sure someone will take revenge for you.
Glad you got something out of my Paypal idea: sadly that's all I can give (another Lo-Cash representative here).
Congratulations on your marriage! Gather strength from this new bond.
As for the ominous clouds of the brewing storm on your ex-boss's not-so-distant horizon....rain in down...hard.
http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7113.html
http://blogs.salon.com/0002421/
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2D91138F934A15751C0A961948260
http://www.hofheinzlaw.com/GHArtMeetingofMInds.php
I am so proud!
Sniff, Sniff...
But seriously I really want to wish you good luck on your wedding. Try to forget about stingy Japan man boss and enjoy man. Then unleash the gaijin within.