Hi everyone,
I’m seeking advice on whether I might have a case against my employer in Japan for not renewing my contract, potentially due to requesting a permanent position under the Muki Tenkanshinkōken rule. Here’s my situation:
I’ve been working as a teacher at the same company since 2020, with consistently positive evaluations for all 4 years. My most recent evaluation also reflected that I was performing well. However, my contract will end in April 2025, and I’ve been informed that it won’t be renewed.
About a month ago, I inquired with my HR department about the Muki Tenkanshinkōken rule, which grants employees the right to request a permanent position after 5 consecutive years on fixed-term contracts. I wanted to understand the process and prepare for it because I’d become eligible in April 2025. I didn’t expect that simply inquiring about this law would lead to my contract not being renewed, but I strongly suspect it might have been a factor in their decision.
It’s worth noting:
My employer has not provided a clear reason for the non-renewal.
I have 4 years of strong performance evaluations showing I was a good teacher up to the very end.
I suspect my inquiry about the permanent employment law triggered their decision not to renew my contract.
I am currently 14 weeks pregnant,and I hadn’t informed my employer of my pregnancy before the non-renewal decision. I’m unsure if this is relevant, but I feel it’s worth mentioning.
Questions I Have:
Could my employer’s decision not to renew my contract after my inquiry about permanent employment be considered retaliation or unfair treatment under Japanese labor laws?
Are my positive performance evaluations enough to argue that the non-renewal wasn’t based on my job performance?
Should I consult a labor lawyer or union, and how do I go about this?
What kind of documents or evidence should I collect to build a case?
I feel that I’ve been treated unfairly, especially since I was a loyal and effective employee for over 4 years. I’d appreciate any advice, insights, or similar experiences you could share.
Thank you for taking the time to read this
by BananaBottles345