Job Discussion Forums

[cj750]

[beautification]

My school did this to me as well, Xincun Primary School. My visa expires on the 14th of Dec. but the contract goes until Dec. 31st.

There is another EFL teacher working at Xincun Middle School, who said they did this to her as well the first year (she's been in China five years, three at this school). She ended up signing on again. She assures me there is nothing to worry about if I don't want to sign on again, which I won't, and says the school will likely pay the last month and airfare and I leave on the 14th.

As stated above it is a trap by the school to pressure teachers to sign on for another term. In my eyes it is a clear violation of my contract, which states the proper working documents will be provided.

From what I am told it seems to be pretty common throughout China, and one just needs to hope everything works out in the end

[englishgibson]

I hear ya. If I were you, I'd ask the employer about what kinda "visa" he/she plans to provide you with for those two remaining weeks on the end of December.
When I posted this thread, I didn't think that the public schools would have such cases. I thought of private schools/centers more.
Anyway, it sure is a clear violation of our contracts.. and you above have got that one right.

[englishgibson]

My friend's just got an "L" visa to finish her contract and her last month (the 12th one) ....her employer is insisting that it's ok to work on that visa for the remaining one month...this chemployer says that the office says it's ok to work on that "L" (0 entries, so you can't leave and come back to China)

I am absolutely puzzled by such a practice after being in China for over 5 years...but then there are many puzzling things around that I might have to learn about

Peace to all kinds of L visas
and
cheers and beers to chemployers

[bendan]

If the employer wants to screw you, they'll do so whether you have an 11 or 12 month contract. I can see that some might think it pressures the FT to re-sign, but that would only work in a position where the employer feels he has more power than the FT. With the current supply/demand, employers are the ones who are easiest to replace, not (sane) FTs.

[cj750]

supply and demand will effect pay but likely will not altr management styles...it is the culture, after all...but truer words have not been spoken...if they want to screw you..they will...no matter what kind of SAFEA guidelines or contract exist...you cannot trust your disadvantage ....

[patsy]

the same for Hunan women's college in Changsha. my visa ends before the contract. I'm not surprised at all with this school though. They are such big cheaters and liars, i still haven't received a travel allowance which is promised after the first semester and I'm sure the plane fare will be another big problem. they need much bigger tactics than that at this crappy school though, to trick people into signing up for another semester.
They go through foreign teachers like water. They should be on a black list.

[englishgibson]

Patsy, I hear ya.

[tofuman]

Patsy, If you want some leverage with regard to getting your air fare, try withholding the students grades until after you have the money.

This will probably involve a confrontation, but so what?

I simply told an FAO that I didn't believe that I was going to be paid as owed;consequently, I was not going to turn in the students final grades until after I was paid.

I got my money. The students got their grades. And the FAO and I are still friends. He may have suspected that I wasn't as dumb as he thought.

If you do this, make sure that you are not vulnerable to break ins and so forth. People who will steal your airfare are not above entering your flat to remove your passport, etc.

[englishgibson]

quite a good one above...and i'd surely take care of my belongings in that situation there

peace to all chemployers in china
and
cheers and beers to the hard working FTs everywhere