Job Discussion Forums

[sugarcollins]

Hello, I just got an university position at Tianjin University of Technology and Education. Any comments on the school or contract (posted below)? I got the position through ESLHR. Thank you!

Contract
The Tianjin University of Technology and Education ( hereinafter named Party A) and expert（hereinafter named Party B) have reached the following agreements according to their mutual negotiation.
1. Party A shall invite Party B to be the teacher of English from October 20th, 2013 to July 15th, 2014.
2. Party B shall mainly undertake the task of teaching in the School of Foreign Languages.
3. The workload for Party B is 16 class hours per week (45 minutes per class hour). Without Party A’s permission, Party B should not take any other jobs having nothing to do with Party A. If Party A needs extra teaching hours, he should negotiate with Party B in advance. In the event of lectures or training courses (usually held 1—2 times a semester), Party B should be responsible to the teaching or running of these events. In the event of extra classes, Party B should make themselves available upon request if time is permitted, and should be ready do so. Extra classes will be paid by Party A. Party B should actively take part in the activities held by Party A.
4. In order to ensure the quality of teaching, there's a one-month probation period for each new teacher. After evaluation and permission, Party B will continue to work. If party B stops his/her job before the teaching work is finished according to the contract, Party B shall give a report letter to the School of Foreign Languages. If leaving early, Party B recognizes the school’s difficulties and shall incur penalties including air ticket, salary, traveling fee and fees for middleman because of the ineffective teaching work . At the same time, Party B will stop residency on campus and return the Expert Certificate within three days.
5. Party B shall obey the laws and regulations of China and the relevant rules set by Tianjin University of Technology and Education, especially the rules of lodging.
6. It is agreed that Party B will live in the Experts’ Apartment on campus for free. Party A will provide cooking utensils for free. One whole year, Party B will get a round international air ticket from China to his hometown directly ( E-class) and 1500 Yuan RMB traveling fee after he completes the work well. Party B should give a letter to the International Exchange office staff in charge of tickets before one month for booking the ticket.
7. The salary will be paid monthly by Party A according to the class hours on condition that Party B has finished the teaching tasks properly. The salary will be 5000 Yuan RMB per month（before tax）.
8. Party A will pay accident insurance for Party B. Party B will pay other expenses for his illness.
9. The two parties should observe this contract. Without mutual consent, neither side can change or stop the contract unless the two parties have negotiated and come to an agreement.
10. Party A has the right to inform Party B in the written form, to relieve the contract before two months on the following condition: Party B does not perform the tasks properly.
11. Party B has the right to inform Party A in the written form, to relieve the contract before 90 days on the following conditions: Party A does not pay the salary on time each month.
12. If one side asks to enter into a new contract, he must put forward the requirement 90 days before the contract comes to its end. After the mutual negotiation and agreement, a new contract can be signed.
13. When meeting disputes about the contract, two sides may discuss the issue. If not settled, a written application for arbitration may be submitted to Tianjin University of Technology and Education.
14. The contract is written in English, each party keeping one copy.

Party A Party B

Dates: Dates:

[Non Sequitur]

Look OK.
Just check the Experts' Accommodation is on campus.
Split shifts are a killer if your apartment is too far away to get back to.
Best protection is to ask a current or better - a former FT, for an overall appreciation.
Interesting start date. Was that your idea or theirs?

[sugarcollins]

It was theirs. I'm a newb...what's wrong with the start date?

[Non Sequitur]

[chinatimes]

Here is my experience with TUTE.

I had a crap school in Beijing, they hired 6 new teachers to start in February. One left after 2 weeks, another after March, I left in May, and a 4th left shortly before August. A seventh teacher discussed leaving as well and part-time teachers have come and gone at this school.

I went to TUTE because the recruiter for both schools could get me a release letter. I figured they get commission, they give the crap school in Beijing a new teacher, and I get a release letter. The school in Beijing wanted 20,000 RMB in order to give the teacher leaving after March. So, I made this deal to secure a transfer.

I visited TUTE before agreeing to work (though I technically never signed the contract). I met one teacher who gave me signs not to go. However, as I stated, I made this deal to secure a release letter from the crap school in Beijing.

I arrived at the new school and later that night I was confronted by a bully Chinese guy who manages the housing. He wanted me to sign some hotel slips. He wanted to write down Z visa information while it was my residence permit that he should have taken note of.

After refusing to fill out this form, he ushered in a second teacher to convince me to fill it out. After that, we talked and the first teacher came in COMPLETELY surprised I agreed to work there. They advised me to leave as soon as possible. I told them I was a veteran and there was nothing to worry about. They said, "Good luck. All of us are leaving TUTE. They are tearing down this place and the only other housing doesn't have adequate facilities like a kitchen or internet."

I don't know if that is true or not, but there were inspectors. Another thing was security. They chain lock the doors to the building you live in. I went down at 10pm to get some toilet paper. No one was there. I could not leave. The other teachers told me you wouldn't be allowed back on campus if you leave at night.

A few more things. This bully guy running housing liked to just barge into the apartment. I explained to the international department I wanted internet, my own kitchen, be allowed to come and go as I pleased, and be allowed to have visitors. They understood what I said, but perhaps this was a sign to them I would not stay there.

A few days later I was sleeping. I heard a lot of knocking, thinking it was another teacher. Instead it was 4 or 5 people from the international department wanting to inspect the apartment.

I was not happy about this and told them if they wanted to inspect the apartment they should have called me on the phone instead of waking me up while sleeping. Common courtesy.

They don't understand common courtesy. The next day they gave me my release letter and told me to leave. I packed my stuff up and looked for a new job.

The contract might be good and the campus is beautiful in my opinion. However, there are no places to go to close by like convenience stores. You have to walk all around the campus just to get to the street people.

There is one big shopping center 20 minutes away and you can't take a bus, you always have to walk. It is actually a nice place and if the school had treated me better, had a brain, didn't piss off the previous teachers and me then I would have stayed.

They even have a "black" building for the black people to live in. I have 1 phone number of a guy who worked there for a couple years. If you must pursue this I can contact him to give you more info. He helped me get out of the school and I am grateful for his support.

Until there are obvious improvements I advise no one go to this school. At least get housing photos and tell them you want no curfew of 10 or 9pm. You will probably want visitors, internet, and a kitchen too. Demand that or pay the consequences. You have been warned.

[Bud Powell]

"...I arrived at the new school and later that night I was confronted by a bully Chinese guy who manages the housing. He wanted me to sign some hotel slips. He wanted to write down Z visa information while it was my residence permit that he should have taken note of..."

I almost accepted a position there until I spoke to someone who identified himself as the FAO. His answers to my questions were very vague to the point of being evasive. The part that REALLY put me off was the hotel accommodations. I'd give this one a pass.

When I applied, the place was looking for six new teachers which is not a good sign.

chinatimes, does this coincide with your experience/impression?

[chinatimes]

[sugarcollins]

Thanks! I'll pass on this one. I'm thinking I'll just wait until next year to pursue any opportunities when the pickings aren't so slim. Although, I'm waiting on a position as an Economics teacher at a high school. I'll just be patient and see what happens. Once again, thank you!