Job Discussion Forums

[ITCjohn]

I'm just about to sign with a uni in Fujian. The 'year' contract is in effect only for 10 months (until 15 Jul), so they can avoid paying summer hols. Is this standard practice? Also, they want to impose a one month probation period. Any comments / advice?

Thanks,

John

[Bertrand]

The probation period is, to the best of my knowledge, pretty standard in China, especially at universities and I think pretty understandable.

As for the absence of summer holiday pay, tell them to stuff it (though you might want to tone down your language somewhat). Even a fairly 'bad' job at an establishment that has set holiday periods will pay a reduced rate during such breaks. If I were you, I would ask for 12 payments in the year. Remember, if you are teaching at a university in China you WILL be working long and hard throughout the year and you will never be able to put in for so much as a day off during term time. The summer holidays (and pay) is the standard (and accepted) reward for such conditions.

My advice would be to play tough; simply email them details of other similar positions but which that DO pay summer holidays and say you are considering applying for them. If they want you they will make the deal. Don't worry about appearing cut-throat; China is, in many regards, more capitalist than the so-called leaders of capitalism.

[aaronschwartz]

The official government publication by which all unis proceed allows pay for Spring vacation and a 10 month contract. That is standard.

If you want summer vacation pay you must sign a one year contract starting March 1 and then it will end before Spring break so you do not get that paid holiday.

They are Chinese but they are not dumb.

[ITCjohn]

Thanks Bert, if I may call you that. I'm hunting down similar posts now, which do pay summer holidays to support my case. Thank you too, Aaron. Do you have a URL for the government publication you mentioned? It seems that the docs they have sent me for the visa application do mention a year period, but that runs from 15 Jul '03-15 Jul '04. I will negotiate for the hols, as I would feel shortchanged having worked most of the year, but not entitled to the hols that all other staff get.

Regards,

John

[aaronschwartz]

ITC John

It is not on the web but you can purchase it in most bookstores. Most uni FAOs have a copy. It was first printed in 1994 then again in 1999 and 2002. The title is (1994, Guide for Foreign Experts Working in China, State Bureau of Foreign Experts)

Check this out: teachers.net/gazette/APR03/qiangwolff3.html

[Roger]

You would be ill-advised to listen to Bertrand who is based in Hong Kong and famous for not being on the mainland.
He is right in one point:
- Probation is common, but it normally coincides with the time expats are
on their tourist visas. Once a work visa has been obtained locally, they
are unlikely to dismiss you for trivial reasons. During the probation
period you are being assessed by your students, and by nobody else!
- Ten months, or twelve months? Depends on the employer, but most
public schools hire you at the end of August/beginning of September,
and they retain you until the end of the academic year. Your visa
may be valid for an extra couple of weeks/months so you can
travel around China, but you are drawing no salary! On the other
hand, you get airfare, which may be worth roughly as much as pay
for your summer holidays.
- If you work for a private training centre, you earn as long as you
are on the payroll of your employer, which normally is as long as
the validity of your visa. You may be paid a relatively higher salary
but you won't get very generous holiday remuneration - maybe
one week of paid leave or two!
You also work more hours for a higher income and a less stable
job. Up to you to choose! University or college students are more
inbtellectually stimulating than most 'customers' you might see
at a language mill!