Job Discussion Forums

one sky · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 18

What are some things to look for in a work contract? What do some of you wish you had asked before being hired? Do most places offer contracts, and if not, is that is bad sign. One school "hired" me but I have not heard from them since and they did not e-mail me a contract. I told them when I would be there but I'm pretty worried that maybe no job will be there when I arrive. Also, does anyone know of any great schools in Central Mexico to check out incase my option doesn't work out? The areas I'm interested in are Guadalajara, Morelia, Guanajuato city, SAn Luis Potosi, and, Puebla and LA Piedad.
Thanks.

some waygug-in · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 339

I suggest you read some of the entries in the Job Information Journal.
Not all glowing experiences by any means. It's not that I am trying to discourage you, I just that I think you should be informed before you go.

Suerte

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

saraswati · Joined: 30 Mar 2004 Posts: 200

If you find yourself at a university or a private school that asks for a contract, it should stipulate what your schedule will be and how much you make an hour (or how much you make a quincena - 15 days). There should also be some mention that you will receive the same benefits as a Mexican national. (The school will have to sponsor you so you can get your FM3 i.e. work permit.) Benefits include IMSS (health service), vacation pay, Christmas bonus, PTU in May(at private schools) etc. I would also suggest you take a look at what is expected of you and make sure there's nothing there that says you'll forfeit any of your rights for some asinine reason.

Good luck!

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Why not e-mail the school that hired you and ask them if they are going to send you a contract? If they don't answer you, well--that will be your answer.

chula · Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:25 pm Post subject:

I think I included this in one of my other postings...The day that I turned in my letter of resignation from the University of Guanajuato, I was called over to sign my contract for that semester. Of course, this was at the end of the semester and I'd already done all my work. The contract didn't mean anything. I got screwed out of money by the administration and there was nothing the contract or lack of contract could do.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

If I remember correctly, I only have worked in one school here without a contract. I was working part time there before I got an FM-3, and when I left the director tried to screw me out of half the vacation pay on the premise that I had only worked there one semester. I reminded him that he had indicated when he hired me that I would receive the full vacation amount, and advised him that I would sit right across from him and watch him write out the check for the full amount. Which he did. I did get screwed out of some money when I left a language school--I had a contract and my "finiquito" was paid at a lower amount than my contract specified; I took all my documentation to the Junta de Conciliaci�n y Arbitraje, but the owner of the school paid off the attorney at the Junta.

I guess what I am trying to get at here is that, as the case of Chula indicates--contracts are a very slippery proposition here. Mexico has great labor laws--but nobody enforces them.

richtx1 · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 115 Location: Ciudad de M�xico

I've seen the world from both sides now...

I work more as an administrator than as a teacher. THere is really no way to offer a contract, sight unseen, to someone we have never seen, and are unable to assess in person. You could have a perfect resume, and good references, and turn up completely unsuitable. Besides people who lie on their resume, or fail to mention their little herion habit (I've run across both), there are those bang-up, excellent teachers ... for somewhere else, not here.

Secondly, remember that there is already a steady supply of native speakers in Mexico, and employers can be choosy. Like other Mexican employers, schools always interview in person.

Third, there is a legal problem. Normally, foreigners cannot be hired directly (there are limits on the number of foreign employees a company can have on their books), and teachers are usually "asociados" -- contractos who "invest" their hours in the business, and are repaid their investment periodically (in other words, they are hourly temporary workers, not employees). One can't be expected to write a contract for such workers.

All that said, yes, you should have a written understanding with your potential employer. Most of us are honest. We won't advance you money -- but then most of us don't have much either -- but we'll help you get settled, find a place to stay, etc.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

It's a little tricky to make generalizations about stuff like this. I HAVE been sent contracts to sign here in Mexico by schools who have only interviewed me on the phone. In that case, I felt they were a little too pushy, and didn't feel like signing a contract when I hadn't met the people who wanted me to sign it, nor had seen the school. Not only did I not sign them, I advised them that I had changed my mind about the job.

Normally contracts are signed once the FM-3 has been changed to reflect the (new) sponsoring employer, as theoretically one can't enter into a contractual relationship until the worker is "legal".