Job Discussion Forums

[Halcyon Chimera]

I am not sure if there is a place for this or not, so feel free to move it if need be. Can you guys look over this contract and give me ideas as to whether or not it is pretty standard? I have never taught ESL overseas, so I am not sure what to look for. The school is in Shanghai. Thanks


Work schedule and time frames for Party B.
1.
Teaching English and assisting homeroom teacher�s work in high and middle school section of the school�s International Division from September 1st , 2012 to August 31st , 2013.
2. Working will be 5 days a week from Monday to Friday, and consists of 23 periods including elective courses (40 minutes per period) a week. Party B is required to open one or more elective courses. Extra class periods are not mandatory for Party B, but Party B can agree to teach them if convenient.
3. Observing Party A�s calendar; working hours: 8 am to 4:30 pm, including lunch time.
4.
Following instructions of the Teacher�s Manual provided by Party A and work diligently. Finishing school work punctually according to the schedule, such as: Opening Ceremony, Graduation Ceremony, teaching plans, test papers and students� records, etc.
5. Attending required school meetings and seminars, such as: teachers� meetings, parents� meetings and meetings related to students, etc. Participating in school required activities, such as: Christmas Party and sports meets, etc.
Payment and welfare for Party B
1. All incomes related in this contract are before tax, excluding international air ticket reimbursement.
2.
RMB 13,000 a month during the time when Party B works at the school shall be paid on the 26th of each month. Extra class period is RMB125 per period. The salary shall be deposited to Party B�s bank account.
3. (1) Party A offers accommodations for Party B during the tenure of Party B�s employment.
(2) If Party B rents or has an apartment off campus, and provides Party A with a related certificate, Party A shall provide Party B with a stipend of RMB3,200, paid on the 26th of each month, instead of the accommodations.
(3) Party A provides Party B with free breakfast and lunch during the workdays.
4. Party A shall reimburse Party B for an economy class round-trip air ticket from Shanghai, China, to USA on condition that Party B works at the school for one school
year. The maximum of this stipend is RMB10,000 according to the air ticket. Party A needs a copy of the ticket. The reimbursement shall be made in the middle of June.
5. Party A shall pay the monthly salary during winter vacation. If this contract is renewed for the new school year, Party A shall pay Party B one month salary for the two-month summer vacation.
6. Party B shall inform Party A if Party B will not be able to work on any given day, regardless of the reason. When Party B applies for sick leaves, a certificate issued by the school clinic shall be provided by Party B. Any absence shall be subject to the prior written approval from the school. During the term of this contract, the accumulative absence shall not exceed 5 days. In the event of any breach of this clause, Party A shall be entitled to terminate this Contract.
7.
(1) If Party B has no absence for the whole semester, RMB 1,875 (non-absence bonus) shall be paid to Party B at the end of the semester.
(2) Party B has 3 paid sick leaves (but one third of the non-absence bonus shall be deducted for one sick leave.).
(3) RMB 650shall be deducted from Party B�s salary for one-day leave and the fourth and above sick leave.
(4) RMB 125 shall be deducted from Party B�s salary for any period absence.
8.. Party A shall provide Party B with free medical care and free medicine at the school clinic.
9. Party A shall buy Comprehensive Employee Benefit Insurance (plan 3) from AIA Group for Party B. (The expenses will be covered by the insurance company only when Party B is treated by the public hospitals above Grade II.)
10. The salary or payment will be paid till June 30th 2013. To leave Party B adequate time to, the working contract and working visa will be extended to August 31st 2013.
11. If Party A and Party B cannot cooperate smoothly during the first month of Party B�s employment, or Party B is not suitable for teaching, Party A is entitled to terminate this Contract without any penalty or compensation.
12. One month notice shall be given to Party B before the renewal or termination of the contract.
Breach of Contract
If either Party ends the contract early without a valid, objective reason, stated in
writing, in English, either party shall bear a penalty of RMB13000.
____________________ __________________
Signature of Party A Signature of Party B

[Josef K]

Hi H.C,

I have seen a few contracts in the past 3 weeks (about 6) and yours looks really sweet. Shanghai rocks so you should sign if you don't have a better option

The pay is ok for Shanghai (its your first job so you can't expect much more) but alot depends on how you like to live, eat, drink, party and shop (but you do get a bonus, yipee!) and I like the housing allowance (plenty of schools in Shanghai seem to forget this!) - you may be able to pocket some of that.

They dont seem to pay for power, water or internet but thats only 100 - 200 RMB a month.

You get full pay during winter vacation while many schools thse days are paying half to 80% (like mine ) The lack of summer vacation pay unless you re-sign is standard so I wouldn't fret.

The only real drawbacks are the need to be in school for 6 hours a day and getting paid on the 26th of each month presumably a month later - work for 56 days before you get paid???

I know 23 periods sounds like alot but 40 minutes really flies - trust me!

However, I hate the airfare rip-off scheme where they only pay you what you spend - you can manipulate this by buying a refundable ticket (as many, including myself have done) - but its common for schools to try to save money this way

A sugestion I would make is to have them give you the full amount of airfare allowance for all trips you take. So, if you want to fly to Japan or Thailand on your vacation and then fly one way back home they pay for all that up to the specified allowance (10,000 rmb).

Its worth a try. My school went for it and i am still laughing about it

Good luck

[Halcyon Chimera]