Job Discussion Forums

[limits601]

Hello.

Im in a bit of a bind and need some advice. I work at a really nice private school but the pay isn�t the best. Only 4000 and the usual free apartment, flights, food blah blah blah. Neways, I was in town and was offered to teach some private classes on the side.

My contract states I cannot work for any school other than this one but this is a private thing. Also, ive been here a month and never had a contract produced for me to sign so im not liable (under western law that is). Should I take the job on the side? What are the repercussions if im caught with another job? Has anyone out there taken a side job even though they were not suppose to? Has anyone out there been caught? What happened?

Eagerly waiting for your replies and advice.

[randyj]

As long as the outside lessons do not interfere with the primary job, consider repercussions unlikely. Contract allowing or not, most teachers, foreign or Chinese, will accept such outside opportunities without seeking permission. In China, permission requires someone to make a decision, in a society where people normally avoid decision-making. If caught, then humbly seek forgiveness.

[NateM]

It seems that a lot of schools have kind of a "don't ask, don't tell policy" on these kinds of things. If they don't know about it, they won't actively look for it, because if they find something it means they have to deal with the consequences. So, keep it on the d/l, and you'll probably be just fine.

[limits601]

Thank you very much for the insight and advice :+)

[Roger]

"Ignorance is bliss" or something like this; but I warn you: if your employer does find out he or she will come down rather unpleasantly on you!

First thing: you stand to pay tax on incomes above 4000 a month. Second: an employer has the undisputed right to control you to this extent. I don't find this questionable at all.

But if you have not received a contract copy yet, the question arises: are you legal or not? Have you undergone the medical exam yet?

In one case, an African acquaintance of mine was discovered in his own flat to conduct private lessons in his spare time - by his employer.
She immediately took harsh measures: sending him to a different place.

Her rationale was that any salary her employee made was due him through her, thus where was her cut in the lessons he gave to his students?

If you know you are not supposed to teach on the side you are acting insincerely if you do teach! Therefore - accept the punishment meted out to you by a vindictive boss!

[limits601]

Yes, I have had the medical and yesterday I got my foreign residence permit but they still haven�t produced a contact for me to sign.

If I do accept this private thing, it will be held way off campus, somewhere in town since the school has provided me with living accommodation on campus.

But i am just going to meet with the gentleman who wants the private lessons this week just to talk. No harm in that. Need to know how many times he wants lessons and where and the most important part, how much.

But now i have another question. I was under the impression that foreign experts are not taxed on there salary ? But if i am taxed on a salary, maybe I can work for exchange of gifts. Then im technically not being paid and i wouldnt be breaking the contract and i wouldnt have to pay taxes. The i could just call the teaching "helping" cause im not being paid for the service. Is this an idea ?

Thanks for all your help.

[lagerlout2006]

You pay tax when your legal official salry is over 4000. What would happen is the job you mention will just pay you cash. No tax because it will not be legal.

As Roger says on one hand schools say they don't want you to work a 2nd job but on the other hand will happily farm you out somewhere (and take a cut.) They all do this. My first College farmed me out and paid me in cash for it so it did not put me in a new tax bracket.

Just one thing. Jiaxing is not very big right? It can be a small world in ESL. Teachers at schools know teachers at other schools. So word could get around. Not to alarm you but it could happen. In this town I guarantee my school would find out. At an English corner this week I was told about a teacher working part time at a middle school-----not that I care.

[Ciara]

Aha...I am in the same situation. But I'm trying to keep it on the low since it was my T.A that wanted me to teach the student (who is the kid of one of his friends, and of course he knows that I'm not allowed).

As for the gifts idea...I thought about that too! Haha...

Since you're talking about a Gentleman...you can try passing it off as a "language exchange" where he teaches you Chinese and you teach him English (I have a couple of those - for real). And a private student.

Geez, what do you buy that you can't live off 4000?! If you were in Beijing or Shanghai (or similar, I'd understand....).

[mandu]

about the tax
i have never been taxed since i have been in china
and i have been legal as well

1st job was 4000,cash government kindy,2nd job was 6500,cash,government kindy

new job 10,000 cash

but never taxed

[struelle]

It's a risk, basically. I've taught on the side before and succeeded greatly but I really had to cover my bases. You need to consider that your 1st school won't always stick to a logical schedule (see other thread), and class times are subject to change. This may interfere with your 2nd job.

In other words, think fast and prepare to reshuffle if you do this.

Weekends and evenings are usually the best bet for doing private lessons or other work. Most public schools, for example, work a M-F week while the demand for private language centers is usually evenings and weekends.

So the first school may shuffle around your schedule during the week, but it is less likely (read: NOT impossible!!) to have stuff during evenings and weekends.

I once had to regroup like crazy when my first school assigned me teacher training work at the last second on M / W nights. I already had another gig then, and I managed to sort it out, but it was tough.

On the other hand, I never had a problem with weekends. For over 6 months I did a 2nd job all day Saturday which was a sweet job and really boosted my income. The nice part was due to national holidays, the 2nd school cancelled those weekend classes since it was a workday for students. I still had to work on weekends at my first school but there was no conflict.

In short, this is something you do at your own risk, much like entering China on a tourist visa. Then again, 'everybody' does this.

Steve

[ContemporaryDog]

Don't worry about it. The way that china works is that they lay down the rules to you and, as long as they have done so, they turn a blind eye when you break them.

We had a curfew at our school in the first term (which was later lifted). We simply used to climb over the gate (I never would have stayed if the gate had been un-climbable). I bet the school knew we stayed out late, but just didn't say anything.

[ContemporaryDog]

[limits601]

Well, your raise some very interesting points. The only that sticks out the most is Jiaxing is a small city and im sure one teacher at this school could know a teacher at my school and people always talk. Especially in China. So i run a risk there.

I would also let my on the side employer know full well that my school ( the one who paid all the costs of getting me over here) has full control over me so if theres a function planned, i GO, no if, ands or but's and that class will be cancelled.

But i meet with the man tomorrow and find out the details of the job and ill see what happens. I wont be agreeing to anything just yet.

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. Very helpful. Thank you.

[struelle]

[limits601]

very good point. Thank you.