I was a swimming instructor at Chiba International Swimming Pool (from years 2007 to 2011). My son went there to learn swimming and spoke to me about his concerns. When I relayed his concerns to my boss (N), he said, “There’s no need for you to teach from next week because in seven days’ time, the number of students will be less.” I was obviously not going to get paid for stating at home (Dec.2010). When I told them that it was time to renew my contract, five male instructors above me in rank told me that “too many shifts were full” to put me in. They were instrumental in making things difficult for me at work. (11 Mar. 2011)
My son was concerned about a certain swimming teacher, Mr. I, who handed a birthday present to another child to be handed to his mother (T)（during the lesson in 2008. My son was sitting next to the boy who received the present, and he knew that doing so in front of all the other children is something that should have been avoided.
However, he couldn’t tell me about this incident out of fear of the reaction of his teacher should he find out, and fear of how it would end for me, his mother(T) and instructor(I) at the school. He told me after he quit, but was silent for two entire years (May 2010). “That teacher has favourites” my son often said, but he didn’t like to elaborate.
What Mr. I did was unacceptable as a swimming instructor. I myself debated on whether I should talk about it to the other instructors for six months.
Time came when I felt that Mr. N didn’t treat the instructors equally. I addressed my son’s concerns along with mine (Dec 2010).
Giving Mr. I a warning and letting me work as per usual would have been the correct action for Mr. N to take.
“I have checked with Mr. I about this incident, and it seems to be true. Well, he doesn’t seem to want to see you so I’ll apologize on his behalf. There won’t be many students next week, so there’s no need for you to come”. That was what my boss said. It was outrageous. Mr. I continued to teach while I wasn’t allowed (Jan 2011).
As a citizen of Chiba Prefecture, I pay taxes, which is used to facilitate the swimming pool. Though I am a lover of swimming, I feel ill at the mere thought of meeting the instructors who tormented me so I can’t even go there to swim.