Job Discussion Forums

[JadedMenhir]

It seems that a small minority of schools across China is using the Spring Festival period when contracts are ending as bureaucracy shuts down across the Middle Kingdom to turn the screw on their FTs. With flight reimbursement due to be paid as contracts come to an end, some less-than-honest schools choose to deliberately taint their relations with their FTs, sometimes even outright firing them, in order to save on this important expense.

This will likely not happen to any of you but just be aware that it could potentially, especially if you are in a school with less than reputable credentials.

Ah, once again, just when we thought all was quiet on the Eastern front...

[erinyes]

According to the Chinese friends I have theft increases around this time of year too.

Perhaps certain officials see it as more important to have "face" with their friends and relatives by being able to give them lots of money during spring festival, rather than uselessly being honourable to their FT by fulfilling their promises.

Every time I think of not getting the bonuses promised at the end of a contract, I think about the story of the FT who became violently angry when he hear the news and smashed the principals desk. Then the principal produced an envelope from his desk with just the right amount of money inside.

Perhaps a sit in would have the same effect.

[Brian Caulfield]

This is not just in china but korea also . They wait till the eleventh month to tell their teachers or domestic workers that they are no good . It is a tactic done by people with little long term business experience. Any big company knows the importance of continuation of employees and customers . We win you win philosophy . Smell the air and if it stinks start making plans to change .

[vikdk]

spring festival - the end of the year - is the time when all companies ballance their books and the PSB doeas all it's major checks - notice how many of the "massage" parlours put the shutters down for a a day or two during this time (they of course pay the police off so they know when to close).

This is also the time of greatest danger for those on F visas!

For those independantly working the danger isn't too great (freelancer) - because those working for a company are the prefered hunted species., since the bigger the company the bigger the bribe you can extract Some FT's will have actually been caught on an F during this time without ever knowing it - since the matter usually lies somewhere under a table settled by the boss handing over a wad of cash.

Another funny fact surrounding the enforcement of laws relating to working permission is that a big city PSB will only have about 4 agents "on the street" responsible for finding illegal aliens - and you can actually go into a police station declare yourself an illegal teacher with the result being: "go away not our job to catch you" (this has actually been done) - but please don't try this perticular trick since I can't gaurantee it will work in the same way over the whole of china - and never try it close to spring festival

Remember the time before all national holidays is a time of official checks - but just before spring holiday is the biggest - also the time of greatest worry and stress for your chinese bosses - I beleive suicide rates and domestic violence also rise during this period!!!!

[pc-pocket]

Chinese New Year / Spring Festival, also known by my students as "The Month of the Thieves� ...

[Roger]

[vikdk]