Job Discussion Forums

derekorourke · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 12

Hey guys,
I'm looking for something to keep me busy for the period of early-mid September to early-mid December (2004). Will consider jobs of two or three month length. I have two and a half years ESL teaching experience (institute and camps), teaching all ages, all levels, all kinds of behaviour, and a BA in Media and Cultural Studies (I know....).
I'm Irish, hard-working, I don't often complain and I'm curious about Taiwan. Don't have phone number right now, as I've been on the move, but you can email me at [email protected]....
Looking forwad to hearing from you....
Cheers,
Derek O'Rourke

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

You can ask for a six month contract but they are unusual. I would strongly recommend that you don't sign a contract then quit after the Lunar New Year.
Get a multiple entry visa for business purposes and see what you can get.
Good luck,
A.

kubulka · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 14

I believe that most contracts, Aristotle, mention a 3-month probation clause. Under such conditions and during this time, a contract can be terminated by both parties. I hope I understand it correctly.

What miffs me a bit about it, is the legal standing one finds oneself in regarding to the Taiwanese immmigration law or rules.
Let's say the ARC has been already granted to the teacher during the probation period, yet at the same time either employer or employee is giving a formal notice stating the wish to terminate the contract.

Just hypothetically, I'm the one giving the notice, and at the same time holding my valid ARC stating who is my employer (am I still coherrent and right in my assumptions?).

What do I do with the ARC? Can it be transferred, or is it authomatically cancelled and one goes throught the same process of applying again through a new employer?
I would think that such work permitt should be transferable, but I don't know enough about the Taiwanese immigration and employment laws.
Is there a possibility to get enlightened in such matters somehow?
Thank you.
Oh, on a second thought, should one even try to understand the bureaucratic maze?

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Dear Readers,

It is my understanding that another language school (bu-hsi-ban) would 'take over' responsibility for the time remaining. So the second contract would actually be for only a matter of months--up to the original ending date.

Let's not get all caught up with the term 'contract'. Regarding foreign teachers in Taiwan, all the term means is 'statement of understanding'.

Some schools try to penalize teachers by witholding pay (or charging a 'fine' of $15,000NT) for quitting without notice, for example. But if the company goes bust or the boss decides to 'fire' you, then don't expect some large lump sum of money as consolation. That never happens.

The Taiwanese are generally calm, reasonable people. Try not to bring any confrontational, adversarial, legalistic ideas with you--as far as just teaching English in Asia for a year or two.

Life is too short to spend time worrying about all of that!

Work hard, Stay healthy, Keep your cool and everything will work out fine!!!

Best wishes!

Taylor

kubulka · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 14

wombat · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 134

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Dear Readers,

As Wombat wrote: "It is in black and white and clearly visible before you sign."

Unfortunately, many teachers have not been as fortunate as I (and perhaps Wombat) have been regarding bosses and work environments. Many issues come up that were not so 'visible' at the time a contract was signed. For example, teachers may be farmed out to other distant locations with no transportation allowance. (This is great fun on a cold, rainy day!!!) Classes may be combined so that you end up with 30 kids in one class with no assistant. Teachers may have new 'school rules' forced on them after ARCs have already been processed. Teachers may be expected to dress up like Santa Claus for Christmas parties. You get the picture.......

The main point of my previous post was to show that 'contracts' are very one-sided in Taiwan--in favor of the school owners. The major benefits to teachers are: peace of mind by being legal and health insurance (but watch out for the medicine!).

I think this is fine. I am not complaining. In America, contracts are virtually unheard of nowadays. This is supply and demand at its finest. However, no teacher should be led to believe that he or she will receive any type of settlement in the event of early dismissal, school closing, etc.

Taylor

kubulka · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 14

So when I thought that I nearly figured out most of what had not been terribly clear to me, here I am again, after reading wombat's post and Taylor's reply, engulfed in a thick fogginess.

In essence, the latest I get my work permit, the better for me, is it so?
The moment I get my ARC, or hand over my papers, my life belongs to my employer (so to speak).

Taylor suggested to have the medical check-up done as the first thing. The results come back in about 10 days, and only after that the school can start with processing of the papers.

It seems that those 10 or so days is the only time one can change one's mind about the potential employer, and the job itself.

But there's not much one can do actually, is it right?

Taylor · Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 384 Location: Texas/Taiwan

Dear K,

Don't get worried. Presuming you don't know anyone already teaching in Taiwan, you are doing everything you can possibly do.

I believe it takes 10 "working days" to get the results of the health exam, so you have 2 whole weeks right there. Also, if you find a good hangout of foreigners (a bar, a bookstore, a church) then you could end up with dozens of job leads very quickly.

Once you visit with the other foreign teachers at any given place, you should get a pretty clear idea of how well you would fit into that environment. Now, living in a foreign country has plenty of issues alone. Have you ever been to any developing countries before? Taipei is fine, but lots of places around the island are far less comfortable that you might be accustomed to in your hometown/home country.

More later!

Taylor

wombat · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 134

I think that Taylors advice to get the medical done sooner rather than later is good advice. The medical is valid for up to three months and therefore you have plenty of time to organize things before handing over the results to an employer to begin the process of applying for a work permit.

I am not sure what the confusion is regarding employment. In accepting a job you are making a committment to an employer, and they in turn are making a committment to you. Each party has certain responsibilities under this agreement, and in most cases everything goes relatively smoothly.

If you find yourself unhappy at anytime during the contract term then you are free to break any contractual obligations that you may have made, but there may a financial penalty for doing so. This penalty may be levied out of spite, or may be levied out of a genuine need to cover the costs of your premature departure (i.e. cover the costs of training you, cover the costs of any commission paid to an agent etc.)

As far as delaying the making of a committment for as long as possible, well I guess that this may be personality driven. Personally, I would do my research about potential employers and once I have found an offer that I am interested in I would sign up. I wouldn't go into expecting the worst, and even if things weren't perfect I would try to stick it out of I could. It is only a year after all. If things were totally unbearable then I would just bite the bullet and make a new start elsewhere.