Looking for a job? Check positions in dispatched work agencies

photo by Steven Depolo

Recently, Japanese economy has been showing signs of stability and the employment rate of university graduates has recovered close to that was in early 90’s. Also, Japanese companies has been showing more interests in hiring non-Japanese workforces to develop their businesses globally. Generally speaking, work styles in Japan can be divided in two kinds: regular employment so called full-time workers and non-regular employment including part-timers and casuals. Among these non-regular workers, working status called “dispatched workers” is a little different from other non-regular work style. Increasing with the growth of employment of foreign nationals, the demand for non-Japanese dispatched workers is increasing.

About worker dispatch agencies and dispatched workers

While full-time, part-time and casual employees have direct contracts with the businesses they work for regardless of the employment status, dispatch workers are employed by staff dispatch agencies to work in the other places. Dispatch workers work under the clients’ instructions, though their wages and social insurances are provided by worker dispatch agencies. Their employment contracts are signed and terminated according to every worker dispatching contract between the agencies and their clients.

Difference between worker dispatching business and staff recruitment business

Recruitment agency and dispatched work agency are easily confused, however, these are two totally different businesses. As mentioned earlier, dispatched workers do not have employment contract with the businesses they work for because they are employed by dispatched work agents. On the other hand, staff recruitment agencies provide staffing solutions to their clients by matching best candidates to their job recruitments. While staff recruitment agencies introduce positions in different employment status with different contract period depending on their clients’ demands, dispatched workers enter and terminate employment contract with dispatched work agencies according to the work dispatch contract between their clients and the agencies.

How to contact a dispatched work agencies

To find a job through a dispatched work agency, you need to register your details in their database. Most dispatched work agencies accept online registration. Enter your details such as visa status and preferred job type. Generally, you will follow a few steps as below.

Complete your registration online, or by contacting the agent’s office by phone
A staff from the worker dispatch agency will contact you to arrange an interview to discuss your profiles including job history and visa status
Your agent will inform you of a job opportunity matching your background and preferences
Once you give them a consent to their proposal, your agent will send your profile to their client who is requesting a dispatched worker
After a consent from the company, you will have a meeting with the agent to review the job details before you start working.
You will be contacted by the agent approximately a month earlier from the end of the worker dispatch contract regarding whether to terminate or continue the contract, or you wish to take another job.

*Advise your agent in prior if you wish to take another position after finishing the current job without an interval.

About visas

To work in Japan, you need a valid visa with working permit. In addition, if you are on any of working visa, you job must meet the conditions specified for the visa. There are few dispatched work agencies that offer visa sponsorship for new candidates, however, most agents tend to accept only candidates who already hold appropriate visas. If positions are for limited period of time from a few weeks to a few months or working hour requirements are only for a few hours a day, the agents most likely to accept working holiday visa holders or student visa holders with working permit.
Dispatched work agencies for non-Japanese
There are many staff dispatching agencies across Japan. Some are large businesses that have branch offices throughout Japan while the many others are locally based businesses that operate in specific areas. Also, some agents specifies positions they can offer in certain areas.

TEMPSTAFF
YAMAGATA INTCH Recruit Now
Ranstad
Recruit Staffing (for international students)

Tips when working as a dispatched worker

Your agent is obliged to clarify employment conditions including working conditions and salary before you start working. Enquire your agent if you have anything you wish to know other than these areas to make all the questions clear.
Dispatched workers are required to follow the working conditions of their working places. You may be requested for overtime work by the dispatched destination company. In such a case, you are allowed to accept overtime work if only you are permitted to do so under the employment agreement with the dispatched work agency.
As a general rule, dispatched workers must be engaged in certain jobs for a certain period of time specified under the contract. Dispatch destination companies are prohibited to order dispatched workers to change their positions for any reasons. In addition, working visa holders have another restriction to work in a specific job area that meet their visa conditions.
Most dispatched work contracts are for 3 to 6 months and there hardly are yearly contracts. Many dispatched workers renew their contracts to work for the same business. If you wish to have a steady employment, apply for an “employment placement dispatching” position that is designed to aim permanent employment after working as a temp for a few months. I you are interested in this type of position, advise your agent at the time of registration.

Good luck in your job hunting!

According to the increase of foreign visitors, the demand for non-Japanese workforce is steadily hiking. It is not limited just to English, though, many businesses are experiencing the shortage of Chinese, Korean and some European languages speakers and seeking international students or job seekers who are native in these languages and fluent in Japanese. Short-term employment contracts of dispatched workers has been often closed up as a huge downside of this type of employment status as it is considered less steady compared full-time employment. However, it can be a great advantage for students who want work experience or those just want to fill the gap between permanent jobs. If you are currently looking for a job, why not register to work dispatching agencies and find an ideal job?