Job Discussion Forums

[redrose8988]

Ok so I'm figuring out my job situation to work at a University in China. My one problem I have is that my brother is getting married at the end of March of this coming year. I absolutely will be there.

But here are my questions. First, should I bring this up during my contract negotiation with the university? I want to make sure that i'll be able to take a couple days off maybe on a friday or monday in order to fly in and out of the states.

If not, then when should I mention it? I'm totally new to this and I dont want to accept a job that wont allow me to go to my brother's wedding. On the other hand, I dont want to scare off the universities by requesting time off before I've even started. I just want to have "all my ducks in a row" before I move to another country.

It's possible someone else has posed this question but I didn't see it. So I apologize if it's a repeat.

Any advice or any experiences you've had with taking time off would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Javelin of Radiance]

Unlikely they're gonna authorize any kidn of personal leave this far in advance. Bringing the topic up before contract signing isn't likely to get any guarantees because its too far off right now and noone here plans that far ahead. The tomb sweeping festival happens around the beginning of april, and that's a three day holiday. depending on the exact date of that holiday and your class schedule you might be able to move some classes around and get a week off. If you haven't landed a job yet or soon then i think this is all moot.

[GuestBob]

Of course they'll understand that you want to be at your brother's wedding. The only thing they might worry about is whether you'll come back if you don't like the job.

[Toast]

Most Chinese universities are pretty flexible with schedules and changes as long as you make up the classes.

One FT I work with is taking a week long vacation out of the country for the *third* time this semester next week.

The first time he asked the DOS she said just confirm the changes with students, but make sure the classes are made up....last time and this there were some proper forms that had to be filled in documenting the times changed from~to to be filed in some random building and never seen again.

Obviously depends on the school, FAO, DOS whoever, but for the wedding of a close family member I can't imagine anyone would get too upset if you move a handful of classes around.

I personally *wouldn't* inform them this far in advance / during the interview stage. Most Chinese seem to be pretty disorganized and short sighted when it comes to planning. Notifying about something 9 months in advance will definitely cause a glitch in the matrix.

[Denim-Maniac]

A training centre job would be much more able, and likely, to agree without a hitch.

[choudoufu]

have you read the contract details? there should be a section on taking
personal time....how much allowed per semester, and how you need to
make it up.

i'd suggest rowing your ducks about a month to six weeks beforehand.

note: chinese new year 2014 is jan 31. golden week will be first week
of february.

get your students weekly schedules, devise a make-up plan. get your
students to agree to it. then tell you fao in writing when you'll be away,
and what your plan is. not likely to have any problems at a uni. but if so,
apologize and explain you've already bought the tickets, and remind them
how important family is....

[Craigo]

The title of this thread I misunderstood momentarily . The OP is wanting to take a vacation from the Uni.

Taking a vacation at a university is actually not incorrect to say, for some....

~~~~
Passed Go, did not collect my 200 posts, back to square 1