Job Discussion Forums

hairuo · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Somewhere in China

I have done a quick search looking for info on this topic...
Have any of you heard of signing a contract and sending it back? It has not been signed by the school. I have worked in the legal field in the U. S. and I am very reluctant to sign without being face to face with my fellow signer...but this is China...so please..have you heard of this being done here. What's to keep them from changing the terms once it signed by me?

Shan-Shan · Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 1074 Location: electric pastures

When I took on my second job in Korea, the owner of the school mailed "two" signed contracts for my signature after the draft had been agreed upon via e-mail. After checking that both were identical, I signed them, and mailed one of the contracts back. Though not full proof, I felt that having his original signature, along with my own, on one of the contracts seemed safe enough.

There's nothing preventing "them" from changing the contract after you've signed it. I've had acquaintances at language schools who've witnessed the DOS cut signatures from old contracts and paste them onto new ones. If you sign, and the contract has been changed, you should just leave. A crooked, mutilated contract is not a contract.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

You put your initials at the bottom of every page and keep a copy.

But that only prooves what you signed.

They can change the offer any time before they sign.

Heck, they even change things after you sign.

This is China.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Yu · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 1219 Location: Shanghai

Contracts seem to be a formality. They dont mean all that much.

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

TW, that's not a bad advice. Wink

Scanning it before returning signed is quite good. You may "mark" those pages with not only your initials but also with a type of ... your own "mark" like a "fingerprint" or something like that. Copying it, scanning it for your own reference might help.

In China, just faxed signed contracts are acceptable official documents as I've been told before as well as I've practiced before in my management position.

Good luck to you OP
and
cheers and beers to us Very Happy

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

PRobably just a specimen for your reference; even if you sign it it's not legally binding.

I guess they want you to demonstrate your acceptance of their terms by signing it; if they approve of you as a hireling they will no doubt want you to sign again - in their office.

This begs a question, though: do they promise you to hire you legally? If so, you should ask them to get an invitation letter so that the embassy can issue you with a work visa.

hairuo · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Somewhere in China

Thanks everyone. I am in Hubei and have been teaching in Hubei for more than 4 years. With my original contract, it was signed after I got here. I like the making a mark on the pages...good advice. Thanks again.

prof · Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 741 Location: Boston/China

hairuo · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 473 Location: Somewhere in China

What does the fact that I am in Hubei have to do with telling me about a contract question? I had never heard of signing a contract without the other signer. Just because I am already in China shouldnt make a difference. I still had the question. I still needed advice. And I appreciate the answers...maybe not the sarcasm.