Job Discussion Forums

[Big_H]

Hey everyone,

Long story short, this week my manager was trying to coerce me into teaching a couple of more hours per week (which I have been doing already for a few months as a favor, contract-wise I don't get paid for overtime). I was adamant in refusing and she proclaimed that I have single-handedly killed the school and she'll call an all-staff meeting to announce the closure. But I am suspicious for a number of reasons and in the end I have a few questions cause there's a bit of confusion going on;

- History-wise, this school has 'duped' Shane English through court to acquire one of its centers and operate under a different name (a few years ago), it was under the same manager
- Since I joined -2 years ago-, we had an increasing student base -now doubled- and a long-term lack of teachers. In that time, the school has not invested in any kind of expenses, renovation, ads, salary hikes, staff increase etc.
- Retaining to the point above, I find it hard to believe that adding 2 hours worth of lessons per week (to a total of 52 hours), would make or break a school.
- Contract wise, if the school dismisses its teachers, it won't have to pay them any end-of-contract bonus or flight reimbursement.
- Finally, a couple of weeks ago, the manager discussed with me renovating the office, mentioned refurbishing the floor into wood which she noted was quite expensive. I advised her to use any extra money into more needed sectors. Yesterday, samples of wooden planks were laying next to the office door.

So all of this is making me suspicious;
- Would the manager be able to shutdown the school, dismiss all current staff at minimal expense, then operate under a new name?
- What would happen to me and the other foreign teacher if we get our FEC revoked? (visa-wise), How long do we have to act/leave for Hong Kong or elsewhere?
- What documents would we need from the language center to find a better school? (A recommendation letter I think?)
- Any general advice, legal measures or otherwise that I'm not aware of that I should be taking to protect my rights? (as cynical as that sounds in China)

Much appreciated and have a better day than mine,

Big_H

[jimpellow]

Glad to hear this happened to you. 52 hours a week?

I think your observations are spot on. I think she needs a convenient scapegoat and you are it.

Chinese business owners are pretty adept at shutting down their businesses overnight. Usually the only recourse for the employees is to riot and hope the government takes action, which is often difficult as the owner and his stash have absconded to Vancouver.

I think your final pay and documentation will be difficult to obtain. I would assume there are others here who have dealt with similar scenarios and can give advice.

I should add that foreigners with the right to work in China now have the same rights as Chinese employees. I would look to research this from that angle.

Good luck!

[wangdaning]

There are always the courts.

I would find a lawyer.

[7969]

[danshengou]

How do people get themselves into these kinds of situations is the real question!

You let yourself be owned by a greedy, self-serving you know what (for 2 years!), and now all the sudden you are starting to take notice. The best thing now is to cut your losses. Hope you have a life raft mate. Good luck!

[Big_H]

Thanks for the helpful initial replies. A few clarifications; the 52 hours/week are divided among two teachers. And the manager's reasoning for the fall is that the parents are friends and that cancelling a class will cause a domino effect all around.

@dan; There were job perks of course, pros, a promotion and reasonable working conditions, but the OP was already big enough without including any unnecessary backstory. As unphilosophical as it sounds, it is what it is.

@7969; I hope you don't mean who I have in mind, I'd rather keep this a clean thread.

I read on the forums here somewhere that more than 2/3 trials held against schools end with the complainants' loss. I assume there is no body/organization for foreign teachers to turn to for effective help here. Either way I hope those last 3 OP questions would be answered as it is actually my first EFL experience if no one'd guessed. I'll update later what'll happen to me and the other teacher.

[7969]

[kungfuman]

I wouldn't believe what they say about the school closing down. They are just trying to coerce you into doing some work for them.

Guilt is a common tool in the Chinese arsenal.

[asiannationmc]

My song of the day would be by the Bloodhound Gang - The Roof is on Fire or even better the highly acclaimed Burn MF - Five Finger Death Punch

[Hod]

[LarssonCrew]

Cannot actually believe anyone would advocate suing in the court.

If it was Chinese v Chinese maybe, foreigner v foreigner they don't care, but foreigner v Chinese is simply flushing his cash down the toilet

[Spelunker]

[Shanghai Noon]

Why is everyone crying for a lawyer? He hasn't even been fired yet.

[danshengou]

Ha

Go get 'em, tiger!

Lawyer up! Hell, Johnny Depp ain't even divorced yet and he's got a slew of em

[asiannationmc]

Heck everyone in johnny's divorce had to get a lawyer, Doug Stanhope even had to get one ..