Job Discussion Forums

[monju]

The college I'm working at is holding onto my Foreign Expert Certificate. Is this usual?
I don't know why but I feel a bit uncomortable about it.
Anyone know about this?

[smalldog]

Not usual. It's not very useful to you unless you want to change RMB to foreign currency. It doesn't benefit them to hold it either; probably they just don't know what ought to be done with it.

[brasilstu]

Yeah, seems a bit wierd. If you want it, my advice would to tell them you need it to change some money, then forget give it back.

[brasilstu]

Yeah, seems a bit wierd. If you want it, my advice would to tell them you need it to change some money, then forget to give it back.

[journeyeast]

Is it Usual? Yeah - But not completely legal.
Many schools do this to prevent folks from using their Red Book for finding placement elsewhere. Most schools do this as a matter of ignorance, some do it as a preventative measure. (Preventative - Is that a word? Too much time in China, my English has gone backwards.)

Politely request the book, and if they object suggest to them to read the part in the book where it says clearly that this book belongs to you and should be in your posession. Advise them to contact SAFEA if they have any issues returning the book to you.

Its not as important as having the Green Residence book which you should definately have and are required to carry with you if you are travelling about China.

Regards

[Voldermort]

journeyeast, I have to disagree with you.

[jeffinflorida]

It's an official document and it belongs to you.

Nicely ask for it and keep it - as in don't give it back.

You DON'T need an excuse as to why you need it.

Simply request it in a nice firm tone, smile a little too.

The Chinese people like smiles.

[journeyeast]

Volder, I agree with you.

But from a technical point, SAFEA issues the book to the teacher not the school. The book is specific for an employer, and is non-convertable to another employer.. One should have to re-apply for the certificate for each Employer.

Your absolutely right about needing to turn it in at the completion of employment. But, the school has no right to keep it especially if the teacher should need to convert money with the book.

[clarrie]

"When changing or leaving a school, this book must be surrendered to the school."

The Foreign Expert Book is used as proof that you are an expert, also it is proof of where you work and who is sponsoring your stay. You should keep it on you at all times along with your passport and Residence Permit, but you won't really get into trouble for not having it with you."

FAO's often use them as an expression of their power over you. The FAO here had all the foreign teachers FE books in her drawer and she told me she/they do so for safe keeping. I told her in no uncertain terms that I wanted mine and she could do whatever she liked with the other teachers' FE books.

It's true, it's no big deal if you don't have it with you, that is, until it is a big deal, but if you're travelling around, it has your address in it.

And the logic my FAO hated was when I suggested that it would not be possible for me to give her back the book on departing the school because I would have never had it if she kept it! You've got to play with their minds sometimes!

I got my FE book and the hotels I've stayed in since have been happy about having an address they can copy. She's kept the other teachers' FE books.

Give them an inch and they'll take a mile. You have to remember most FAO's (in my experience at least) are 'Little Hitlers'!

[expatben]

My boss never kept mine-he just looked at it to see that I had one. He DID keep my passport to sort out my visa but gave me a recite.

[ekirving]

[oprah]

It is my understanding that the green book is being discontinued. When my visa was renewed, I was only give my updated passport and also my updated red book...foreign experts book..

[cujobytes]