Information
* this section has been plagarised from various Discussion Groups as well as ideas from this author.

Work Advice:

Always get a copy of your cover forms immemdiately after signing them.  If you can't, then don't sign it until you can.

Never be rushed to sign anything.  This is an old technique used by staff and trainers - 'snowing' you just before the bell.

Never think that any favour you ever do will either be appreciated or remembered.  As soon as your evaluation comes around all your good deads will be forgotten and any (even nothing) will be held against you. 
     By Nova's terms "you are guilty until proven guilty".  Every reason under the sun will given to deny you your pay rase, shift slide or day off.

90% of trainers are prick's who couldn't get laid in their home country. 

70% of Head-Trainers are men who got their Japanese girl-friend pregnant, were fooled into marriage, and are now stuck in Japan, in a loveless marriage, with a kid or two and a mortgage.  Their life is now akin to a piece of sh*t clinging to a pig's-arse.  They spend there time trying hump the J-Staff (without luck) and make lude and sexist comments in the teacher's room.

Non-Socialization

If you want to date students, the best are those whose tickets are finishing.  In all honesty, who wants to see (let alone teach) their 'ex'.
      Besides things can get messy and students know they can hold that against you.  They won't get into trouble, but you could be transfered, or worse lose your job.  As illegal as it is, who wants to go to court over something like this.
   However if you do fall in 'love', then marriage is always an option, just leave Nova before you get married otherwise you could end up a trainer and be stuck there for life.    (See this for the funnier side of dating students)

Drug Testing

They haven't tested anyone since they brought in the clause.  They are too scared of being sued.  You are well within your rights not to pee in that cup.  If Anders or Saruhashi want my urine, I'll be more than happy to piss in their face.

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Insurance: What to do?
Your options are actually simple.

Choose:

JMA (which is technically illegal) Is good for things like the flu, but that is about it.  It won't cover you for your flight to Japan.  Nova wants you to join this because they collect 22% on every payment, not because it is the best option.

Traveller's Insurance from your home country (this is as accetable as JMA).
      It has the added benefit of having your personal belongings covered for theft, and an international emergency phone number (most useful for travelling to other countries).   The cost is often cheaper than JMA.

Health Insurance from a Japanese provider: There are a few options for health ins. once you arrive in Japan (this is the cheapest option and doesn't tie you to your Employer like JMA does).  You might want to consider getting Traveller's ins. for your first few months and then change over to an even cheaper local provider, such as one of these -
Global Health Cover
X-pat

Shakai Hoken:  to which you will probably not be elligible for as Nova has been fideling the books, and is in-fact still breaking the law over.

Rosai 'no-fault' Accident Insrance:  If you are injured at work or going to and from work, this will cover you.  This costs you nothing, and will even pay you for lost wages.
      "All companies are obliged to pay workers' accident insurance premiums to the Government to cover their employees provided they employ more than one person. Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance applies to any worker regardless of visa status or contract limitations. The full cost of all premiums (Hokenryo) are borne solely by the employers, not employees."
   [source: A Guide to the Japan Public Social Welfare System]

 

Taken From Discussion Boards:

The Illegal Nova Contract

A Rundown on the Lowdown

Climb the Corporate Ladder and become a Trainer

Shakai Hoken (SH): the Japanese health and pension insurance.

"The Honey-Pot is carried by the rabbit and
eaten by the fat-man at the top."