Job Discussion Forums

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

I worked for a college that tried to get the FTs to leave campus during the winter and summer breaks and stay in hotels at their own expense. It wasn't mentioned in the contract. This seems to be becoming common. Before agreeing to any contract, I's have the school write it into the contract the specific terms of staying through the winter holidays and the summer.

My experience with universities is that if one renews his contract at the end of the spring term, he'll be paid through the summer. That could be changing, though, at some universities. I have heard from a couple of friends at other universities that the teachers' buses that take them from one campus in the city to the campus on the edge of the city are being discontinued. It's every man for himself now.

Some public universities and colleges are implementing austerity programs. (At the last school where I worked, the school cut off the a/c at the end of the spring and didn't turn it back on in September when I arrived from the summer break at home. The heat wasn't turned on until mid-November). Again, one should ask that utilities will be available year 'round.

At the last college (three-year) that I worked for, the school paid for round trip tickets to send the teachers home for the summer. Apparently, it was cheaper to do this than pay them through the summer and pay our utility bills. It also absolved them of any responsibility for the teachers. They feared that while the fat cats were away, the mice might play.

Again, find out such information before you decide to teach at a particular school.

Re: Experience teaching in China being worthless upon one's return to his home country: Not always true. If one has an MA, most universities and colleges will accept that as relevant experience. If one is NOT degreed and he wants to resume a teaching career back hoime, well, TS, Eliot.

If one is young enough to reenter the job market and change direction, the time spent in China interests any employer who is interested in hiring those who must interface with people of other cultures in his home country. It can also be a stepping stone to working for international companies. A lot of people have academic credentials up to their eyeballs, but cannot hack living outside of their home country.

Those who feel that teaching in China leads to a dead end back home might be dead-wrong during a better economy. If one is in China now,however, I advise him to remain in China until the home job market improves. Teaching in China is a dead-end career only for those who remain in China and do not work themselves into a very good management position that will allow them to save substantial cash for retirement.

Your Mileage may vary.

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

some schools pay over the summer if you re-up.
some schools do not pay over the summer.

it should be spelled out in the contract.
if you don't like it, ask them to change it.
if they don't change it, don't sign the contract.

you're welcome.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 5:07 am Post subject:

Inappropriate postings have been deleted. Future postings addressing the messenger rather than the message will earn the makers of same permanent unpaid vacations from our community.

therock · Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 1266 Location: China

DosEquisX · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 361

I have the opposite situation.

Yeah, my current contract definitely has some goofy clauses. However, none of them have ever been enforced. Of course, it should be standard to be in contact with the current foreign teachers at that university. If you can, see the university in advance and speak to the administration if possible. I find that personal experience trumps whatever is said in the contract.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

If the A/C and heating is via a wall mounted heat pump/inverter they would have to turn off the power altogether to affect all options.
My last winter was in Qingdao and while the hot water radiators were off I could still heat the place - sort of - with the inverters.
These didn't really hack it though and I had to buy a proper radiant heat job to get comfortable.
Another question: Would the re signing/paid summer holiday be stated in the contract at the start of Year One?
More likely left until they know what their needs are and how you pan out.
If around May the FAO starts making re signing noises, then that's when you want pay, summer occupancy of your apartment and A/C issues written down.