Job Discussion Forums

Sixerfan · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 9:38 am Post subject: problems

Hey everyone. I'm new here, and I had a question I wanted to pose to the various readers of Dave's ESL. What do we do if we have a problem with the school we are working for? Is there any agency that protects the rights of foreign teachers abroad? Are we simply at the mercy of the school?

Also, is it possible to leave the school you are currently with and join another one? Any information you can give would be most helpful. Thanks!

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

most of the time, you're on your own. No matter what most recruiters tell you, they will just drop you off, collect their fee and forget about you (only one or two exceptions that I'm aware off).

The best thing to do is get things straightened before you sign the contract. If something happens later, try to get the city's Foreign Affairs Dept. involved.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You should first tell us what job you have before asking us how to bail out safely!
As a rule of thumb, your contract can be enforced by your employer but not by you. If he changes his mind, you can only hope he has changed his mind for the better for you - not likely though! Hopefully, he never does change his mind...
You can't take things to court unless you are prepared to pay your lawyer and the court. That's akin to gambling.

You can seek redress from the local education bureau, but bear in mind they are but figureheads in a gargantuan bureaucracy. They won't go out of their way to represent you or to give your abusive employer a knockback. In fact, most employers are pretty much above the law.
Don't forget: in this country justice is dispensed by men according to their personal interests, not according to the spirit of their own law.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

No matter what the contract sez..about being written...it can be changed by verbal admendment....such as a "chat" with the boss...and if he sez something...oh, maybe like canceling you old contract and offering the new one at half the pay..then it can also be considered a seperate contract. Chinese court will consider anything..about a case ..not just the contract.
The Education Station (Department) can represent a "arbitration" but little more and no one has to abide by the consideration.