Job Discussion Forums

neverheardofem · Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 100

I think I've messed up my chances of working in China again. I worked there in 2012 (Shanghai), but only for about 2 months from September to early November. Something serious happened (not work related) and I had to return home. I left pretty quickly and the employer wasn't happy. I know it was a bad move and I am ashamed of it, but at the time, there was no choice. Now, I have been offered an opportunity that has made me begin to think seriously about going back.

However, I've just realised that I may not be able to. I have no release letter or recommendation from the previous employer. The prospective employer (Suzhou) has asked if I have a foreign expert certificate, and I don't. At the time I left, I had a residency permit and visa expiring September 2013 (even though I left months before this) in my passport. I don't know what to do now. Forget China? If anyone can offer any advice I would really appreciate it.

Piper2 · Joined: 13 Jun 2014 Posts: 146

neverheardofem · Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 100

Thanks for your reply Piper. I wasn't deported or commit any crime. However, in the employers view, I did do a runner and it was a lousy thing to do. From my view, I had an urgent issue to deal with and I did a lousy thing to the employer because of it. So either way, yes, I did a runner. I will tell the prospective employer the truth and see what happens. I really hope I get another chance!

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

Big Worm · Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 171

It's hard to say because from what I can tell there is no 100% policy for anything that is standard across china. My limited knowledge is for the Beijing area. There is currently a blacklist that your employer can put you on for running. It bars you from working for five years. However, this requires your employer to actively put you on the list, and I think this is a "law" that passed in the last year or so. Also don't know about shanghai.

I'd say your chances are good enough to give it a try.

maxand · Joined: 04 Jan 2012 Posts: 318

[quote="Bud Powell"]

Larry Legend · Joined: 12 May 2014 Posts: 172 Location: China

I did a similar thing- left after a month or two. I wasn't on a working/teaching visa yet though. The reason why I left was because the school was a circus show: foreigners were quite unprofessional (being the hypocrite I am when it comes to leaving) and the management was very untrustworthy and I got a better job so I just left.

While I really would have liked to give them notice- you never want to screw over the kids or the school even if they are doing everything they can to take money out of your salary/paying very sporatically...from a financial standpoint, it made no sense to tell them that I was leaving and pay them money that was in the contract. They need to work that stuff out in the contract because they kind of screw themselves over with that......they were screwing me over in my contract and they expect me to give them notice so I can pay them money and wait for another foreigner to come? Makes no sense- especially since I was on a tourist visa to begin with and could go anywhere else right afterwards.

Anyways, when I got my current job, I was completely honest with my boss and he just wanted to know why I left to make sure he didn't operate in the same fashion and face a similar situation..Other than that, he didn't seem to care.

Personally, I'd take the half honest route...Be up front about it but find some good reasons. Even if your reason was legitimate- it doesn't quite sound like is by the way you typed it (not sure how someone can have 'no choice' in this matter, yet still be ashamed of it...also, the fact that you were only in China for 2 months until that point suggests otherwise) but I'm no mind-reader, it might be better to choose reasons that can ensure the school that it won't happen again- like you weren't getting paid, they were taking money out of your salary...etc.....understandable stuff that they know they don't do so that can ease their mind a little more rather than just a random occurrence because from their perspective..who knows when something random will pop up again and you will just leave?

Again , I don't know your situation so forgive me if I come across as insincere. And this is just from my personal experience...everyone is different of course.

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

Suzhou is probably one of the strictest cities for teaching regulations in China. I believe you will be able to find work but probably not in Suzhou.

MozartFloyd · Joined: 12 Jul 2013 Posts: 66 Location: Guangdong, China

There was a guy from Oz who worked at my university. He'd burned numerous bridges; created utter havoc in Wuhan, yet was still able to land a job where I work. That makes my uni sound lame, and perhaps the admin is lazy and out-to-lunch, but the students are great and life is easy. He screwed up big time here as well. The U told him "no more teaching" but allowed him to stay in his apartment and collect the rest of his salary. Long story short: he just landed another job in Hubei.

neverheardofem · Joined: 29 Feb 2012 Posts: 100

I told the school that I left early for personal reasons and they don't seem concerned about my breaking the contract. They are actually trying to help and want to contact the old school to see of they can get a letter (release letter I presume) and contact the foreign expert bureau that issued my visa. However, I'm not too hopeful. The company I worked for was very large with a big turnover, and I doubt that they will even remember me. If they do, they are unlikely to be cooperative. It is such a pity as I would have loved to take this new job. I accept that it is my own fault though.

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

Larry Legend · Joined: 12 May 2014 Posts: 172 Location: China

fpshangzhou · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 280

Hey Teflers,

I've been working for this company that offers 1-1 teaching English for the past few months. Having gone through all the hoops of bureaucracy to get my new residence permit to work full-time, I was hoping to sign my contract with them. However, now they are now putting it on hold because they don't know if they want to hire me full-time. With that said, I was wondering since they paid for the medical & z visa fee, am I obligated to stay with them since I haven't signed a contract as of yet? I'm willing to stay with them if we do the contract so I can be guaranteed a monthly salary, instead of just a few peanuts per month working part-time. I would even be willing to stay part-time with them as I have been doing for the past months, but just start looking for a more full-time position that offers a guaranteed monthly salary I can survive on.

Cheers