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 · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:51 am Post subject:

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 · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 358

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 · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:30 pm Post subject:

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

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

"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 · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 12:27 am Post subject:

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 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

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.