Job Discussion Forums

[StayingPower]

Who would you contact to discuss HESS's recruiters in the US and if they are in breach of labor/business laws?

[TaoyuanSteve]

I think you'll find that, in time, the sting you feel from being let go by this employer will fade. Just my guess but, even if there were laws that would have been broken in the states, Hess agents are recruiting for jobs abroad, so those laws likely don't apply. I would think, though, that you could register your complaints with the council of labor affairs locally or the American institute in Taiwan.

In reality, though, you may just want to focus on getting on with things and putting this experience behind you.

[Serious_Fun]

[pest2]

If you really think you have a case ie you think they have caused you harm and you want to bring a civil suit against them, I'd suggest contacting an attorney in the state in which you were hired. Some labor law is Federal and other labor law is reserved to states... not all attorneys can handle this kind of law; one idea would be to contact a law school and find out which prof teaches this... See if you could get this person to answer your question pro bono if it isn't too complicated....

[StayingPower]

Thanks people.

The sting is gone, but not the possibility they might be breaking the law in the states and maybe other countries.

They "do" recruit in the states. For this reason, and since the recruiter actually signs the contract, wouldn't that hold them accountable in some respects? But this isn't my main issue.

My main issue is that HESS may be doing something that is contrary to US labor laws by so doing this and then placing us under Taiwanese laws. I know other ESL companies have failed to recruit in the states because they are held responsible under US laws. At least I think so.

I might, therefore, contact a lawyer.

[dvasas]

I dont understand how it would be illegal for them to recruit in the US, I know in Canada it is not illegal.

[StayingPower]

How would it be? They're in breach of the contract, according to standard labor laws in my country. If they hire in the states they might be subject to its labor laws 'if the recruiter-like I'd said before-signs the contract'. Not only this, but they then 'go outside the contract', use some double-dealing, ie unpaid working hours, and are basically not truly honest with the government here by making you work without an ARC and by getting a visitor's visa to do so. Moreover, they can then break that contract despite this abuse.


Thing is, they get you bogged down with the business ethics over here, which are sugar-coated back in the states. I honestly may seek a lawyer, therefore, for reimbursement of the enormous medical and travelling costs they've covertly dismissed by deception.

[Toe Save]

[lou_la]

StayingPower, what exactly is this 'deception' you're talking about? It's made perfectly clear during the application, interviewing and training process that you're expected to prepare lessons and mark homework unpaid. So this 'double-dealing', as you call it, of working unpaid hours is something that you were well aware of before you even stepped on the plane. And that's not a Hess thing, it's true at the great, great majority of schools that you're expected to do these things unpaid. Just because you don't like that doesn't mean that Hess (or the whole industry for that matter) is going to change the way it does things, just for you.

It's also made clear that the first month is a probationary period, for both Hess and yourself to see if you suit the job. Which by refusing to do major parts of the job, it's clear that you didn't.

You just weren't right for the job. Get over it, move on, find somewhere else...