Q:“It has been three years since I first started working part-time for a company. In the beginning it was a 6-month contract, but I ended up working for three successive years without going through any
special renewal procedures. However, a few days ago I was told not to come to work anymore from next month because the contract will not be renewed. Without even being given the reason for the non-renewal, I feel at a loss what to do next.
A:When it comes to contract renewal, it is always expected that the renewed contract is signed under the agreement of the person concerned. However, there have been precedents against the employer for
refusing to renew the contract without giving any reason, namely firing the employee, unless he has a socially acceptable reason for the dismissal. In its “Guidance to Fixed-Term Employment Contract Setup, Renewal, and Termination”, the Ministry of Health, Labor
and Welfare has specified the obligations of employers. Such obligations include notice in advance for contract termination, compensation in lieu of notice, and reason explanation for contract non-renewal. In recent hearings, there were also cases where the
employer was found guilty by the court for unexpectedly dismissing employees without renewing their contracts, and was sentenced to payoff the owing salary for the given period. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with your local Labor Bureau in such cases.
This article was originally aired on ZIP FM's Global Voice in May 2006.
