Job Discussion Forums

[mw182006]

<Newbie alert>

I am wondering what to expect when June comes to an end and the semester is over. Does everyone go on vacation and the universities shut down, or will there still be administrative/office work happening? I've received some offers so far but still arranging more interviews so I have options to choose from. My fear is that I'll agree to a position, submit my paperwork, only to be told at the last minute (like, August) that there was an issue with my docs. Assuming I can get something lined up before the end of the month, will schools still be submitting visa paperwork during their break? I'm preparing to quit my job, give my notice to vacate my apartment and all that fun stuff.

I've been researching this move for a long time and still managed to procrastinate on getting the actual job. Don't procrastinate kids. I do feel a little better seeeing all the posts asking about different universities though.

[Non Sequitur]

THE FAO will hang on until they have the places filled, but they will not stay around after that.
This means if they have acceptances for their vacancies, they will withdraw their offer to you.
I think the message is clear and my advice is to accept the best of what you have in front of you NOW!

[doogsville]

Yup, quit procrastinating and jump on in. Coming to China is a gamble, but so is crossing the road as the clich� tells us. There is no ideal job, or even a 'best' job, there's only the job you're doing right now. You have at most five weeks to complete the paperwork, assuming your prospective school finishes on the 20th of July, like mine. Some finish even earlier. That means you probably have a matter of days to agree to sign a contract. There may be some places that haven't filled all their vacancies by the end of the semester, but you have to ask yourself why. Do you want to go and work in a place that nobody else did?

Get your finger out, as we say in the UK.

[Javelin of Radiance]

[Non Sequitur]

Doogsville has it right.
OP must be guided by the balance of probabilities, not pie in the sky.
It's all a gamble for noobs, that's why I suggested a rapid choice of the best that OP has in front of him/her.

[mw182006]

I hear ya guys...summer has crept up on me. Thanks for the info and hopefully I'll get something in place this week.

[Non Sequitur]

Yeah it's easy to get Sept start in your head and forget about the on the ground China stuff
Best
NS
PS: PM me if you need a hand on anything.
n

[choudoufu]

it's very almost too late!!!!

schools run on different schedules, but most will be finishing up around
end of june. here in mayberry, last week of june we give exams.
first week of july is for tests. (exams are given by the teachers of each
course, tests are more of a communal thing....or something.) students
leave july 6, official summer holiday for teachers begins july 8.
(can leave earlier if grades turned in).

the fao also wants to leave.

pick a school today, send an email (or skype) to accept. fao will need
about 2 weeks to get all the necessary paperwork completed. that'll put
it during the last week of june when fao lady can send you your docs
by ems.

you got the health check done already? if the province requires the exam
before issuing a work permit, you're probably already too late for the
fall semester.

[Albert Cribbins]

[choudoufu]

[mw182006]

I do have my health check done already, just need to pick up the signed copy from the doc. Do you guys know whether my degree has to be apostilled before I send it out? Fortunately I can get that done same day in town. I know I'm cutting it close and this dragon festival isn't helping matters. I plan to send my docs with quickest shipping available to hopefully speed things along.

[choudoufu]

[mw182006]

My focus has been Korea until recently. Hearing that I can just email stuff makes me feel a lot better, I have everything ready to go.

[mw182006]

Alright, got the contract offer I was hoping for! I realize I don't have any time to request changes, but do you guys mind looking over the terms to see if there are any red flags? Before anyone mentions salary or reimbursements: money is not the reason I'm making this move so please focus on the other sections.



1. DUTIES

1.1 The Employee will be employed as an English Teacher in which capacity the Employee will be required to perform such duties consistent with the Employee�s position as may from time to time be assigned to the Employee.

1.2 Duties of the Employee may include, but may not be limited to:

i) Formal schedule teaching, tutorials, student assessment, arrangement of English Corner, management of learning programmes and curriculum development, educational guidance, counselling, preparation of learning materials and student assignments, marking student work, preparing and executing examinations, management and supervision of student visit programmes, research and other forms of scholarly activity, marketing activities, consultancy, leadership, supervisory, administration and personal professional development.

ii) The Employee will be required in pursuance of the duties to ensure the efficient operation of the College and welfare of its students and employees..

iii) The Employee is expected to work flexibly and efficiently to maintain maximum professional standards and to promote and implement the policies of the College.

iv) The Employee is expected to respect and comply with any rules and regulations set forth by the National and Provincial educational authorities as well as by the College. Such rules and regulations include, but are not limited to, restrictions on religious activities on college campus, Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety policy.


2. COMPENSATION and BENEFITS

2.1 Reference salary of the Employee will be RMB 4,800 per month (after tax) for delivering 18 hours of teaching per week, but no more than 24 hours subject to the College enrolment and arrangement. For each additional hour taught, Teaching Compensation of RMB 80 (after tax) per class period (45 minutes each) will be paid on top of the reference salary.

2.2 No salary shall be paid during the 2-months summer holiday unless special arrangements, including but not limited to, the contract renewal, are made for teaching or other college-related duties to be carried out during summer holidays.

2.3 Total salary of the very month will be paid at the 5th day of the next calendar month.

2.4 The College will provide the Employee with free on-campus accommodation in the Experts Building during the employment period. The Employee is required to comply with the housing regulations set forth by the College. Should the Employee choose to remain at the College campus during holiday periods, the College will help provide accommodation and necessary assistance on campus wherever possible.

2.5 Basic amenities will be provided by the College free of charge, including internet access, water, gas and electricity. Usage of landline to make off-campus phone calls will be charged at the standard rate.

2.6 The Employee will have the option to take up private tutorials on Mandarin Chinese from a member of staff at the Employer.


3. RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

3.1 The College will provide ONE return flight ticket from one of the XXX airports to Chengdu in economy class (preferably, the College reimburses the coming ticket [equivalent up to no more than CNY 6,000], and buys the return ticket.). Unless in extraordinary circumstances, holiday travel expenses will not be covered by the College.

3.2 The College will help the Employee apply for (or extend existing) work visa (or work permit) and provide necessary assistance in registrations with relevant government authorities. The Employee is expected to prepare all required paperwork and documents to the College, including copies of academic certificates, CV, passport, and health check report etc.

3.3 The Employee is eligible for requesting for a student assistant during academic terms (and possibly holidays) to help with daily matters.


4. WORKING HOURS

4.1 The length of an academic term normally runs 16-18 weeks plus 1-2 weeks for exam/marking, but may vary slightly due to occurrence of special events (Chinese New Year, student military training dates, practical training arrangements, etc). The Employee is expected to return to the College one week or 10 days before a term starts (to prepare for the upcoming classes), and to leave one week after it finishes (to mark the exam papers or tally the results from continuous assessment).

4.2 The Employee will be expected to work such hours as are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of the Employee�s duties and responsibilities, which may include, thought not regularly, evenings and weekends. Normal working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday with one hour per day for lunch.


5. HOLIDAY

5.1 The Employee will be entitled to receive normal remuneration for all Public Holidays normally observed in P.R. China (around 11 days annually) as well as school breaks during winter and summer seasons when the College closes

5.2 Subject to approval from the College, the Employee may request for special day-offs on Christmas Day, given all relevant duties have been duly rescheduled.

5.3 With valid receipts (Fapiao), the College will reimburse up to RMB 500 each time for travel expenses incurred during the two major public holidays, i.e. the National Day holiday in October and the Labour�s Day holiday in May.


6. PLACE OF WORK

6.1 The Employee�s principal place of work will initially be at the College campus in Chengdu. However, the Employee may be required to work on either a temporary or indefinite basis at any premises which the College may currently have, or may subsequently acquire, or at any other premises at which the Employee may from time to time provide services.


7. EXPENSES

7.1 Expenses, which the Employee incurs in the proper performance of the duties, will be reimbursed by the College providing that these expenses have been approved by the Dean of Foreign Language Department prior to its being incurred.


8. INSURANCE

8.1 The College will provide the Employee with the Comprehensive Medical Insurance for Foreigner and Countryman from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, which is recommended by the Administration for Foreign Experts Affairs, during the period of employment.


9. SICKNESS

9.1 If the Employee is absent from work due to sickness or injury, the Employee will be eligible to receive sick pay in accordance with the College�s Sickness Policy.

9.2 The payment of sick pay is subject to the Employee�s compliance with the College�s rules for the notification and verification of sickness absence, which are set out in the Sickness Policy.


10. EXCLUSIVITY OF SERVICE

10.1 The Employee is required to devote full time, attention and abilities to the duties during working hours of the Employee and to act in the best interests of the College and maintain its reputation at all times. Accordingly, if the Employee is full-time or the College is the primary employer, the Employee must not, without the written consent of the College, undertake any employment or engagement which might interfere with the performance of the Employee�s duties, conflict with the interest of the College.


11. PRIOR AND SUBSEQUENT AGREEMENT

11.1 This Contract of Employment, and any document expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire terms and conditions of employment, that cancel and are in substitution of any previous letters of appointment or contracts of employment, and all other agreements and arrangements whether expressed, implied, or deriving from any local or collective agreement relating to employment by the Employer.


[/b]

[Non Sequitur]

Looks to be pretty standard stuff.
Accom. Should be single occupancy.
Teaching away from main campus. Ask how likely this is.
Airfare. School admins have a way of finding el cheapo tickets on Dagestan Air with stop over in Ulan Bator, but it will get you home.
Usually two one ways, are significantly more expensive than a return, but given the ability of the Chinese to get bargains...
This underpins I think, the disbelief Chinese have for our protestations about allowances for air travel.
They don't, or won't understand that you can't travel on recognised carriers with certainty at these rates. If you're a backpacker who can exist in an airport lounge for 3 days waiting for a cancellation that's OK. But it won't do if you need to be somewhere on schedule.