Job Discussion Forums

fpshangzhou · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 280

My FAO just asked me to renew for a 2nd contract, 4 months left on original contract. Still not sure whether to renew, I was wondering what's the typical salary raise teachers get or ask for. My benefits are next to nothing, but I do like working for them because the students, loads of free time and locale is comfortable. I look forward to any advice from you experienced Teflers.

Cheers,
Aaron

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Paid summer vacation?
It's a pretty common inducement to re-sign in my exp.

fpshangzhou · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 280

I work for a company, similar to how Hampsons operates, 1 on 1, year around.Only holidays are the national holidays. Again, no benefits.

Cheers

Aaron

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

OK
'FAO' has normally applied to a uni setting in my exp.
Best

SH_Panda · Joined: 31 May 2011 Posts: 455

Something like 500-1000 more per month?

hdeth · Joined: 20 Jan 2015 Posts: 583

How could anyone give you advice when we don't know how much you earn or what kind of hours you work? If you got screwed on your first year you might expect a raise of 5-6k per month. If you had a great deal your first year it might be nothing.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

I have to agree with the poster's statement above that hard to give specific advice without more background information.

But, I think you need to work off of a base of 5% for inflation. Chinese official inflations averages 3.5% over the last decade, which still compounds up quickly. Of course, all governments love to play games to keep official inflation figures suppressed. More realistic private sources state 5.6% or so over the last decade. Higher if most of your income goes to essentials such as food.

Also, I would have to wonder who loves least in the relationship. If your employer is asking so early, as he wants to make sure you don't jump ship, then you should theoretically be able to demand a higher wage. If he is asking as he considers ESL teachers a commodity, then he may simply be asking so early to have time to find another, along with presumably adequate time to complete the visa process.

Other dynamics could be addressed but I think how you frame it will best determine the outcome. I would probably say something along the lines of, "I am happy that you are happy with me working here as I have generally been happy too. Of course, as you know, the demand for teachers in China is skyrocketing, and with the new visa requirements and pollution problem, the supply falling. I have been contacted about some other excellent opportunities I need to consider. Perhaps you could get back to me as to what you will be able to offer and then I can make the best decision."

I would never let him nail you down on what percentage raise will make you stay. Just have that in your head until he gets back to you with a number that hits your base pay raise percentage. And if he doesn't meet it, don't rationalize it away with other reasons to stay. Walk. Having a willingness to walk away gets you where you want to go in life. And it works particularly well with Mainland Chinese, who are subconsciously set-up to kiss butt or beat down others depending on how they perceive themselves in relation to others to be in terms of hierarchy and value.

dblkhqc · Joined: 26 Feb 2015 Posts: 34

Only YOU can decide what is an acceptable raise in salary. One person may think 300 is enough, another 600. What the heck do YOU want. Stop doing what other people tell you to do. You'll only come back later to complain that another teacher got MORE than YOU during their renegotiation. Negotiation is your responsibility.

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

a 10% raise should be easily doable.

My advice: Ask for 20%, see what they counter with.

fpshangzhou · Joined: 13 Mar 2012 Posts: 280

Sorry for the vague posting. My salary is 10k monthly, no normal perks, such as:

Housing allowance
Insurance offered, I must pay.
No return ticket reimbursement (is okay since I'm already here).
No end of year bonus
No re-sign bonus
RP/Visa Reimbursement: They pay for visa application only, I pay for travel expenses going to HK
Work hours: 22 classes per week & anything over is OT.

I was thinking along the lines as the other poster, asking for 10-20% increase.

toteach · Joined: 29 Dec 2008 Posts: 273

Since you don't get monthly housing allowance or return airfare, I'd push hard for the 20% increase.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Can I ask how you live on 10k?

They're essentially paying you like 115 rmb an hour to teach, with zero added benefits.

No insurance, no housing, no airfare.

Let's say you fly home for 10000, that's 1000 RMB a month added, plus 3000 for a house, 500/1000 for bills, insurance at 500 and you're essentially living off 5000 a month.

Grim.

I'd ask for housing allowance or them to find you an apartment.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

1700 a month?

Unless he's in a second or third tier city that's horrible.

Even a decent apartment is 3000 in any half decent city.

Living without health insurance? Ok.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

"RP/Visa Reimbursement: They pay for visa application only, I pay for travel expenses going to HK "

Are you on a Z-Visa?

It would also be beneficial to know where you are?

Also, what kind of boss is he? I know in China a lao da in many ways is a lao da, but what kind of person are you dealing with?

I will also stick to my guns that holding out your hat and approaching a Chinese business person and asking for some nice round percentage raise is rarely a winning strategy.