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Since late June 2011, I work at Leafcup Tokyo and Yokohama. Since August 2011, I wanted to stop working there. Today I decided to stop. Why? Because the company lack of respect for its employees and operates without remorse. Here are more details.
Like many people who arrive in Japan without speaking the language perfectly, I applied to work at Leafcup Tokyo and Yokohama. In June 2011, I had a job interview and then I was hired. At first all went for the best in the best world. And then, everything began to deteriorate very quickly to the point that, in October 11, 2011, I decided never to work for this company anymore, even if they apologize to me. Here are the details that made me come to this decision.
Leafcup Yokohama, Saturday, August 27, 2011: I was not allowed to eat or drink:
On this day of August, as many Muslims around the world, I practiced Ramadan. This means that between 03:30 and 19:00 (time in Tokyo), I must abstain from eating and drinking, as part of my religion beliefs.
This Saturday, August 27, I worked at Leafcup Yokohama at the following times:
- 12:40 to 14:10: English Beginner Table
- 15:00 to 19:00: English Chat Table
- 19:30 to 23:00: Leafcup Yokohama Party
The day went very well. Then at 19:00, I finished my last Chat Table. After a whole day without eating or drinking, my first instinct was to feed and refresh myself. I announced to the Manager (Miss Fa., a 22 years old Japanese Girl) that I was going to the Kombini (convenience store), just for 5 minutes, to buy some food and drink. And then her answer shocked me. Here is our dialogue:
Her: “No you stay here, we must prepare for the party”
Me: “Yes but I haven’t eat for all day since03:00, I must eat something or I’ll be sick”
Her: “I do not want to know, if you go, I won’t pay you”
Me: “I’m serious, this is Ramadan, I have to eat and drink”
Her: “I’m serious too, if you leave you will not be paid”
Me” You can keep your money, I do not care”
I went to buy food and drink and came back. Prepare the party took only 10 minutes (open chips bags and put them on the table and get some beers from the fridge). In the end, she paid me but she didn’t apologize.
Leafcup Yukata de Yakatabune Party, Sunday, August 28, 2011: I paid to work
In this Sunday, August 28, 2011, I went to Leafcup Yukata de Yakatabune party. As you can read in the article of the same name, I had to pay to work. And yes, you are not dreaming.
When I asked to register for this event, I was informed that there was no more room as a Leafcup Staff and therefore I had to pay 5000 Yen (50 USD) to participate as a guest. So I paid.
Unfortunately, the day of the event I was informed that I was a Leafcup Staff as other staff member who were there. So I had to work. Well I must admit that the work was not a torture, as it was to talk with guests.
What bothered me tremendously is that I had to pay 5000 Yen, to work and I didn’t even receive any salary in return. Sounds weird right?
Leafcup Yukata de Yakatabune
Leafcup Tokyo “hired” more than 400 employees without needing them:
At Leafcup Tokyo, you are usually hired to be a Chat Host. And if you prove yourself, and you’re a native, you can become an English Teacher.
If you are an English teacher, your schedules are provided. But if you are a Chat Host, you do not have guaranteed shifts. You receive your shifts a week in advance only, according to the needs of the company.
The problem is that they hired over 400 Chat Host, when they need one hundred maximum (and yet I see very large). They do this to compensate for possible outages. But that fact makes that you get less and less working hours.
When I started working at Leafcup Tokyo and Yokohama, I had 2 to 3 shifts per week. As the weeks advanced, and more they hired new Chat Hosts, I was getting less and less hours. I came to work only 3 to 4 hours per month, which is ridiculous.
Leafcup Tokyo: Aala can you work on Saturday? Oh, Aala we don’t need you
On several occasions I was approached to work schedules that were originally planned. Every time I agreed. Regularly, and at the last minute, these shifts were cancelled.
For example, a Monday they called me and asked me if I could work at Leafcup Iidabashi on the next Saturday. I said yes. I programmed my week accordingly. And then, on Friday I received a phone call and they told me that they didn’t need me for that shift anymore.
If only this had happened only once. But no, it happened at least 5 times. This is exhausting. I am not a disposable handkerchief, which is taken and which is discarded according to their desire.
Leafcup Yokohama is run by a “Bossy” manager whom is disrespectful
I was hired as a Chat Host, which means I had to make conversation with customers in English or French. But at Leafcup Yokohama, there was not so many students.
classroom (salle de classe)
Sometimes, very regularly, and during 2 or 3 hours there will be no students. When the Manager, Miss Fa. was present, she gave me orders such as:
“Aala clean the toilets”
The worst is that I am not exaggerating. There was not even a thank you or a please in her orders. She felt with a mission and a power that could confer her all powers. When she said this (several times), I replied “and if I do not want?”, and she said: “I can fire you, I am the manager”.
Moreover, it was common to hear several people working at Leafcup Yokohama calling her “Little Hitler”, in front of her and that made her smile (this is a strong and bad nickname, but it represents the image she gave to employees who were calling her like this. I never called her like this and I will never do it because this is disrespectful).
Well, I think I’ll stop here for blame and justifications, on why I decided to quit my job at Leafcup Tokyo and Yokohama. I think you’ll understand why I will never want to work for them anymore. And yet, I do not even talk about things they do with Facebook (require employees to open a fan page for Leafcup or they will pay them 800 Yen an hour instead of 1000 Yen, must send wild invitations …).
On that note, if you think someday to work at Leafcup Tokyo or Yokohama, I can tell you one thing, many people working there are good people and the atmosphere can be fun. Unfortunately, there is some stuff happening that can tarnish the whole thing.
Have been in Japan for 35 years. Lived in Kansai for 10. Believe me , that’s what you get when you work for an osakan . ” Little Hitler ” probably is / was in bed with the boss.
Still, don’t expect any free bees or kindness from leeches.
After all these years in The-Land-of-the-Rising-Sun and an above knee amputee, I learned to go for the throat and quite a few tricks that would turn ” little Hitler ” into a ” Little Sewer Rat”. Just check her past, find out stuff about her and disclose them to the public without hesitation.
Welcome to Japan .
Regards
Antonio
Hi Antonio,
first, welcome on my blog and thanks for your message.
You seem to had some really bad experiences in Japan. Maybe you should tell us more about it.
You know what, this kind of people I don’t really care about them and I don’t give them any real importance.
I am just a traveler trying to enjoy his experience in a new country.
I know that when the owner saw my post, he wrote on his company’s facebbok wall that I was a childish guy, and his associate that I was not a man. But even after that I don’t give them any importance.
This post was just written to share an experience with people and warn them about what they can expect in this company.
Anyway, thank ou for your message and your time
I used to be a debt collector and trouble shooter apart from free lance underworld cameraman , both on still and video cameras. Now that I’m an amputee I don’t have to go and knock on scumbags doors. Got enought data base to deal with what I’m good at.
I’ve been following your blog for a while and frankly I can’t trust you much since you seem to be an opportunist . Floatsam like many a gaijin that comes here only to take and not give. Honestly, you don’t bother me much and if you want to ask me questions go ahead. I know you won be here long .
Still , that Leafcup case is not unusual and like I said , that guy should dig and disclose the Little Hittler’s connection with the Osakan. My Osakan connections told me he is not a ” KATAGI” underworld term for a ” Honest John “. Little Hittler’s attitude shows that either she ” invested ” her savings on that guy’s ” venture ” or was / is being banged by him .
All you guys have to do is stop ranting and haul your arses and pay ¥1.200 yen to the registry office ( this case could be Idabashi HOMUKYOUKU ) and pick up Leafcup full official company registry. In there you can see the names of the so called board of directors and most of their private addresses. Leafcup full past history too will be there if you know how to read between the proverbial lines.
That is the basic tool trouble shooters / debt collectors use to get to the core.
Anything you might need to know, ask me and I might reply or just refuse as well.
BTW: if you intend to post these posts tell me in advance.
Best regards
Antonio
I am not looking for any of this kind of things. I don’t wanna do this kind of things and I don’t wanna do more than what I did.
When I wrote this article, it was just to share an experience that’s it.
I am just travelling and enjoying travlling. sometimes I have great experiences, sometimes I have bad ones. I share both of them that’s it.
I don’t need more!!!
But of course ” dear sir ” . You expect to make an omulet without braking eggs. So you choose to bury your head in the sand when things aren’t going your way. JUST like some people told me. Reading your conditions you can use and do whatever you like with others postings BUT if or when the proverbial Sh#t hits the fan , as it always will when you pretend to know it all ) you play possum .
Japan isn’t even half of what you claim it o be. Leafcup is only the tip of the iceberg. Sweat shops like it are all over the country and losers like yourself are in every crany and dark hole. ” Experts ” the likes of you are the ones that feed leeches like Leafcup what’s-his-name and ” Little Hitler “.
When you curl and sleep like a dog, don’t expect to wake up like a lion. remember that every time you post your ” expert” Japanophile opinion in your blog. Time to leave this archipelago ” Dear sir” . There is enough misery going on without your half-arsed cowardly opinion. Meanwhile, stick to French, because your English is worse than mine.
Now that we been formally introduced sir, I’ll be checking you real close.
All the best
Antonio
Just 2 or 3 things to clarify:
1st: I’m not Japanophile
2nd: Think whatever you wanna think
3rd: I don’t mind you post comments but please try to respect people’s opinion. Not only your opinion is the right one
4th: I write in English if I want too and I don’t care if it’s not perfect. I do this just to give my friends from all around the world an opportunity to follow me.
Now I’m not gonna spend more time with you if you don’t wanna respect me.
I’m glad you’ve quit Leafcup. You’re a great teacher, and I’m sure you can start something much better on your own.
I am Japanese, but still enjoy the fresh perspective this blog always has to offer. It’s unfortunate that some people can’t keep their opinions in check…but haters will hate.
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your comment and thanks for telling me such nice things.
I really appreciate it.
Thanks a lot
Aala
Whatever you say dude. See you soon. Literally .
That Tanaka Ken he is such a nice fellow. I wonder where was he when ” Little Hitler ” was busting your balls?
Is he going to sponsor that ” Visa ” of yours too?
Seems you are gonna need such a nice J-guy very soon…
See ya.
Antonio
Thanks
see ya
Hmmm.
A TWAT par excellence . LOL !!!!
???
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Aala. I’m really sorry to hear about that experience you went through. But I’m sure you learned a lot and will know what to do if that same experience happens in your life again.
Continue to enjoy Japan, bro!
Cheers,
Blaine
Hi Blaine, thanks a lot for your support. Yeah I am definitly enjoying Japanese life
Hi! So I’m just wondering, where did you go to work after you quit LeafCup?
Hello,
I am working on my own as a freelance.
I can’t stop laughing reading antonio comments
Laughter can be a good cure. Unless the joke is on you…
@ Antonio: happy new year
Don’t jerk my chain once too many times pied noir pimp. I ain’t no fucking Chink and you know it. Just go on with your weaselly life till one day we cross paths. Then you will regret it. Just a question of time.
Ok, please stop commenting on this blog. Actually just forget it.
I stumble on your post about Leafcup. I had an interview with leafcup in Tokyo.Yokohama wasn’t ready at the time. When I got to the cafe, I was a little shock to find out I am going to be interviewed with 3 other interviewees at the same time.
Anyways, to make it short. I didn’t get hire after all for whatever reasons. I emailed back about a month to find out if they are still hiring. The person wrote, I recognized your name but I seem to lost your file. Can you come back in for another interview? I didn’t reply back nor return for another interview though. I knew there were many employees are hired but are not working on a regular basis or not enough hours to pay for the time to get to the cafe.
Hi Duscu,
thanks a lot for sharing your experience.
leafcup is not such a good place to work for foreigners. definitly not.
They mostly use you and give a little something that they call salary.
They pay 1,000 yen an hour, don’t pay the transportation fee, and you must do a facebook fan page for them or they will pay you only 800 yen an hour.
One of the worst place to work for foreigners!!!!
Good Day Mr. Tunimaal,
I recently arrived in Japan 2 weeks ago to pursue an intensive course in Nihongo. I heard from a relative of mine about these “Conversation Cafes” where you sit, chat with people in English and get paid doing it. However upon seeing your post, I find myself wondering if it’s really that bad. I want to apply in a part-time job to pay for my daily living costs, a conversation cafe might be a good opportunity for me to get some income until I can properly converse in Japanese (at which point I’d probably get a job relating to my undergrad). Other opportunities would be to apply to companies like GABA, but they require certification that you are a native English speaker and those are expensive in my opinion.
Hey Student A,
About English Cafe (aka Eikaiwa) there are so many of them around Tokyo. Here I am talking about Leafcup which is a really bad place to work at considering how the manager treats you there.
But there are many other ones where you are treated normally, such as Mickey House, Comm’In, ……
Tunimaal,
By any chance, where you up at Nasu this past GW at a Family Theme park?
No I was not there…
Hehe. Ok. From looking at your profile pic, I saw a person who looks like you and I immediately thought about this post.
Oh I see….