How to spot an eikaiwa on the verge of collapse.

For people who have worked at smaller eikaiwa schools and had the rug pulled out from under them, or for people who decided to leave a failing or floundering eikaiwa company, what were the red flags that prompted you to either stay or (hopefully) leave?

Here's what I got:

  • Principal / owner's office is a stymied mess.
  • Pay comes but is routinely late without any sort of acknowledgement or apology.
  • Nothing has been updated in what seems to be over ten years.
  • The walls need to be painted and the owner knows it, but won't pay anyone to do it so it never gets done.
  • Mottainai is taken to the nth degree.
  • Principal / owner does not speak with families on a timely basis.
  • Owner does not take responsibility or initiative on business matters.

I'm sure this barely scratches the surface. FWIW, I don't work at this eikaiwa for any more than 5-6 hours a week, so it's not the end of the world if this business goes under.

by ChickenPaul3745