Job Discussion Forums

[simon19812005]

Hey are there any serious consequences for pulling midnight runs?

I'm talking about skipping out early on a contract you don't want to finish (for whatever reasons), moving out of town (boom - disappear) and then showing up in a whole new city, ready to start fresh with a brand new school.


I've already been offered a position in the new city (so finding a job is not a problem right now). The new employer has not asked for a release letter (which is good because I don't think I can get one).

Teh new employer has however said (in the contract anyways) to provide a working visa. This is were I worry because I've only been assigned L tourist visa's thus far and I don't want conflicts at the PSB or local immigration/police office upon arrival at my new job.



?


Some details:

When I leave, I plan to have a valid Visa, and my passport in hand.

My old employer will have copies of my cv/certificates/passport photocopy, etc....

When I leave, I'll also be breaking an apartment lease (1 year). I've paid for 3 months of it already (mandatory rule- i know but isn't it a pain?). I've lived there for a month already but plan to leave after only 2 months (my loss, I know). But i need to move.

So, I just want a new start in a new city. I don't want any bad karma or a trail to follow me everywhere I go.



I think what I'm doing is illegal. Is that a big deal? This is China after all. Any advice guys?



p.p.s
I dont have anything like a green or red book. Just a passport with a valid L visa and a copy of a residency permit (I think the school has a copy too). I got it at the local police station (it was fast and easy). stamp, stamp. We used it to sign the apartment lease (I'm assuming it's needed for me to get a housing lease, thus why I call it a residency permit). I can check this again.


Thanks so much in advance for any help you can provide...

[nolefan]

Without passing any judgements here, some things don't add up in your story. You mention having an L visa with just a copy of a residence permit whcih is impossible:

With the old regulations, you were given a Z visa and a residence permit (or green book). With the new regulations, your Z visa doubles up as your residence permit.

Unless i'm missing something here, the facts don't add up.

[go_ABs]

I've never done this, nor am I likely to ever, so I'll leave the serious advice to someone who has, or at least is experienced in these matters.
Just let me say two things:

First off, and most importantly:

[kev7161]

I can understand so-called "midnight runners" if you are in an absolutely horrible situation and you just can't take it anymore. I can understand if your current school is not paying you or is treating you terribly or you are there illegally thanks to the school not obtaining the proper documentation for you. I can understand if a dear relative has passed away overseas (or has become ill) and you have to return to your homeland to deal with the situation.

What I can't understand is how people just up and leave a job when a "better" offer comes along. If it were me (or if I were your consience sitting on your shoulder), I would say talk to the school and tell them the reason(s) why you are leaving. Let them tell you the consequences of your actions or maybe they'll praise you for your honesty and wish you well.

But that's just me . . .

[Volodiya]

Nolefan wrote:

[anthyp]

[simon19812005]

Volodoyia is right. I've always only worked on a L visa. Yes I did go to the police station to register my place of residence. That's about all I've done in China in regards to having a file.

My new job offers accomdation (so I don't have to register a place of residence).

Hopefully, there will be no conflicts.

Has anyone done this before?

[Texas_Gaijin]

I've never done it, but I certainly understand. Look, from what I understand, and from asking a peer of mine, it should be relatively easy if you move to another city, ESPECIALLY in another province. God knows that there isn't much inter-agency communication in the Chinese government.

And to whoever told this guy that their employer will "appreciate" him for his honesty... Well, this is China... Honesty falls into a circular file cabinet... So I'd stay away from any frank confessions to your boss, Simon.

You should be okay. Good luck, man.

[kev7161]

Actually, I said ". . . maybe they'll praise you for your honesty and wish you well." Emphasis on MAYBE. I was actually being a bit sarcastic because I don't like the idea of "midnight running" just because you can.

[tofuman]

Simon,

Although you have not shared your reasons for "running," they are vital to put what seems like a despicaple, unprincipled, and devious act into its proper context.

Pulling "runners" does have "karmic" effects. One of them is to make it more difficult for other FTs with scruples to not suffer the ill effects of your behaviour.

Schools demanding security deposits, reduced benefits, general disdain, etc., are some of the effects your conduct may have on other FTs.

I would suggest that you complete your contract. I finished mine, even though I despised the institution and administration, and did have valid grounds for leaving. I don't regret it. I don't have to lie or feel ashamed when people ask me what I did before or where I worked.

From the sound of your post, shame might not be an issue for you, but you may develop a conscience.

[simon19812005]

Glad to hear what I plan to do is possible. There is a guy on here who admits to doing 6 runners. I think he has the name Cowboy_Pete. Anyways, I would like to speak to him (but he hasn't answered my PMs). He must be a pro at this by now. COwboy Pete - where are you? A junior-level runner needs you.

[Roger]

I feel the O.P.'s tone to be flippant and if that's the case I doubt he has an ethically acceptable reason for doing what he wants to do.

But forumites like he always post here, and in nearly every case they just want some assistance in executing their plans.

I note that he has been working in China illegally. He has had more luck so far than he deserved. What intrigued me was that he went to "register" with the police; this is NOT normally done by the employee; it is the EMPLOYER who takes his paperwork to the PSB and thus gets his employee registered. He may therefore have been staying in China in his capacity as a tourist; this is strange since he must not rent premises other than hotel rooms.

His case bears dwelling on this: it means that he can probably easily apply for a regular job as there is no antecedent that would preclude this in his particular situation. He cannot "pull a runner" since he is not officially employed.

My aversion to people who eagerly seek such situations is boundless, though. I hope he is going to pay the right price for his un-kosher behaviour; in this case he will have to forfeit any deposit for the flat he is currently renting, plus any agreed-upon benefits other than his salary from his employer (airfare, holiday allowance).

[Babala]

I am so tired of reading about FT's who pull these kinds of stunts, yet they are also usually the ones who come on the forum whining about mis-treatment from schools. Perhaps karma will come into play and your new school will screw you just like you are about to screw your current employer.

[KES]

It is my understanding that you will be stopped from exiting China if you are a party to a pending legal (civil or criminal) action until the proceeding is complete.

If you default on a lease, it seems the landlord has cause for action.

How do you intend to resolve this issue with your landlord?

[clark.w.griswald]

Just a word of advice for the OP. Please do the legitimate teachers who are trying to eek a living here in China a big favor if you do decide to do a runner, and keep on running. Don't stop in China but head to some other country. Thanks.

People like yourself make what is already a difficult situation just that more difficult for everyone else.