Job Discussion Forums

[kev7161]

Well, I've been pretty mild on the boards lately, but I have to post a warning about a certain company located in Hangzhou. I'm so annoyed that I'm posting this in China (off-topic), China (job-related), AND General Discussions. It may become rather lengthy, so I apologize if I bore anyone. Some of you may respond with "lesson learned, too bad" or even "this is China, what do you expect?" and I concur, but it is the PRINCIPLE of it all that is the most upsetting.

Last summer I worked for Helen ChinaTEFL's summer program. Now, keep in mind that China was just recovering from its SARS epidemic and was now in the midst of the hottest summer in the last 100 years. So, things were rather chaotic and disorganized, but I was paid and it was only 4 weeks of my life.

This summer, I thought I would give them a try again; surely it would be better. I am certainly not going to list all the trivial details here, but let me tell you that it was still so disjointed and disorganized, you would think it was the first time this company had attempted to do summer programs (this is its seventh year, I believe). Finally, the first day arrives, I get settled into my classroom with my big, heavy bag of tricks (my first of three classrooms in two days!) and meet the students, the youngest who was 12 with no English and the oldest who was 20. About 1/3 were fairly fluent, another 1/3 so-so, and another 1/3 that had nothing. Around 35 students in all (never quite sure as they came and went all the time). Anyway, blah, blah, blah - - - two weeks pass with 4 different people telling me what to do where to go and when to be there (and, by the way, the students got their schedule of events and activities the first day; I got one in English on the 4th day after asking about it several times!).

At the end of the 3rd week this past Saturday (07/31), I was called into the office of ChinaTEFL to tell me my contract was terminated as all the kids were going home and there were no more kids to teach.

In my contract, I was to be paid 6500rmb for four weeks. As I live in Hangzhou and didn't need a hotel room, I negotiatied for an extra 1000rmb in my salary to cover living expenses and transportation. Also, the company gave me a 1200rmb stipend for food. This was a good deal in my mind and I didn't bother to look for other offers in or out of Hangzhou. The contract states that, should they terminate the program, I would still be paid full salary, which is also good. I had already been given my meal stipend and the extra 1000 at the beginning so I was expecting my 6500 at this time. Not to be. On Saturday I was also informed that, since the program lasted only three weeks (did they not know this 3 weeks ago?), they were going to take BACK 25% of my meal stipend (300rmb) and 25% of the extra 1000 (250rmb) - - nevermind the fact that the 1000 was part of my contracted salary and nevermind that 1000rmb was certainly much less than what they would have paid out for a hotel room for me. I asked JOHN ZHOU (a man not to be trusted) where, exactly, in the contract did it state that this money was to be withheld? He wouldn't even look at the contract in my hand to show me. He just said it is there (it's not). After a spirited and lively debate, I told him what he was doing was unprofessional and illegal and, were this the US, it would not be allowed. Items in a contract should be binding and items not in a contract should not be "assumed". He told me to go back to the US then. (he must be reading these boards!)

Then he said he didn't understand why I was upset as all the other FTs were happy (none were conveniently around). I told him that I'm not one of the other teachers and this wasn't making me jump for joy. It was 3 long, hot weeks of teaching with long bus rides to and from my home and I was more than willing to work one more week for my pay. Anyway, I threatened with a lawyer friend I have but he was out of town in Hong Kong on business today. Today, Monday, I went in to get my reduced pay and there were 20 or so other FTs milling about looking dazed and confused. Their programs had also ended abruptly and they were concerned about pay, rescheduling flights, and so on. Many were quite angry at the way they were treated in the schools they were in. Some were not fed on days they didn't work - - - (you either got a meal stipend or the school you were located at would feed you), one person had six different classes per day with over 400 students total! Some did not receive teaching materials or instruction or assistance - - - just, "here's your classroom and here's your students. Aaaannnnnndddd - - GO!" So, disillusioned and quite angry teachers . . . obviously I wasn't the only teacher upset. They were also angry with this company and JOHN ZHOU and told me so. I felt somewhat vindicated that I wasn't the only "whiner" (but I still wanted my money).

By the way, payroll lady wasn't in the office for much of the morning, although she did finally show up around 11:00am. JOHN ZHOU, by the way, didn't show up at the office at all this morning. Pretty unusual as I'm sure he must have known he would have several FTs there trying to sort things out. The office staff was looking overwhelmed and stressed out. I still plan on trying to file a formal complaint with the help of my lawyer as I'm out 550rmb - - a good chunk of change in China.

So, I just want to say again: Stay away from this company. You will be confused, angry, and quite possibly ripped off. If you have any more specific questions, please feel free to PM me.

[Roger]

You have my undivided sympathy, mate.
Yet I must say such developments are quite "normal" in China. Summer work is fickle, employers notoriously unreliable and opportunistic; students more than unwilling to come and so much more likely to rant about trivial things.

I would suggest people think twice about working through summer holidays. They should thinkl more than twice before coming here for such camps.

English is a business proposition at the best of times; if it is offered in the sacred holiday season it's more than likely a poisoned cup.

Let's hope your lawyer friend can rectify some of the problems. BUt you no doubt will have to sacrifice some of your dues, as do those fellow-sufferers of yours.