Job Discussion Forums

[PAzine]

Hey, I'm 3 months into a 1-year contract with a language mill in Taiyuan.

Work is fine enough, but this town is bloody limp. When not working, my only means of recreation is to sit in my apartment and stare out the window at a dumpster.

Over the past month, I've increasingly been telling myself "just tough it out. Suck it in and make it to the finish line."

But then, I realized, there is no finish line. Not like Korea, anyway (where the incentive to "suck it in" is the prospect of saving twenty grand, a big chunk of which comes via a fat bonus at the end).

With my current deal, the "big fat bonus" is USD$1000. If I "suck it in and make it to the finish line", I will have (assuming I maintain my spartan life of dumpster-gazing) saved a total of $4,000 USD.

Maaan, that's a very small incentive to spend the next 9 months of my life living like a goof.

I've contacted head office and told them of my desire to leave this school and be transferred to another in a different part of China. Their reply was that I had signed a 1-year contract to work at one school. Normally, if a person breaks a contract, they are not welcome to work at any other branch.

In my case, though, they said that if I were willing to forego my end of contract bonus, they'd allow me to make a switch.

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That's the basic situation.

From September, I will take on a new job in a different part of China. Staying on with my current language mill is an option, because it's easy. No applications and interviews and whatever. They offer 25-hour contracts for 6,200; 20 hours for 5,000; and 15 hours for 4,000.

Money is not a really huge super concern. I basically need enough to live, with at least 2,000 RMB that I can sock away for tomorrow. I'll either do the 20 or 15 hour. I'm on the 25 hour now (teach about 21 hours/week). It's light, but I'd rather it be lighter.

IMO, teaching is bloody fun in short doses, but a brutal grind otherwise.


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On to my question:


What could possibly happen if I choose to break it off with my current employer altogether and find my own gig elsewhere for September?

My discussions with them thus far have been decent. No negativity or hostility or anything. Staff relations are aces. They're getting a 3 month notice from me, during which I'll continue to do top work.

Umm... I'm wondering if something falls off the rails... can they screw me over? Like, muck up my visa (valid until Dec. 2007) so I have to flee the country or something? Or can I easily transfer my working visa onto another employer?

Cheers!

[tw]

Your biggest concerns should include whether the contract contains a clause on penalty for breaking the contract. You can not transfer your FEC to a new employer. The first employer would probably take back your FEC and the new employer issues you a new one. As far as the RPF goes, you shouldn't have to worry about anything.

[PAzine]

[tw]

[PAzine]

[vikuk]

Once again the cruel face of the China style chain rears its ugly head - in this case a chain, which, although they have locations throughout the country (most chains advertise this fact as if the employee could hop around the country working from one outlet to the another) they'll only let the very unhappy FT transfer to another location if they're willing to forgo their end of contract bonus payment - after all they have to keep that FT working at all costs (who cares if they're having a horrible time as long as they create the company more income).
Newbies beware - the mills are business sweatshops, and as such can be a tough grind - and, according to this account, don't expect too much sympathy or help from them as employers if your situation starts to wear you down - that is unless you wish to pay for it.

By the way what chain is this one - is this another EF story????

[PAzine]

[vikuk]

Doesn't Clark work for this outfit!!!!!!!