Job Discussion Forums

[hewlettpac]

I guess this is a good place to vent my anger and frustration. I work for Ef on a mesley 5,000rmb per month. I work 6 day's a week and classes have reached 25 a week. Plus promotonal duties, and a English corner once a week. I asked the other day if I could at least get a increase to 7,000rmb to my boss, and she turned around and talk to my wife. my wife (chinese) again gives me the lecture this is China and I should accept little money for the work I do. I,m in the office from 9.00am to 6.00pm and on busy days I dont leave the office until 8.45pm due to classes. Plus only can get an hour of for lunch every day. Look the staff and bosses are friendly enough, just feel like the more effort i put into my teaching, and time the less money i make. I'm one of these guys that's very forward in my thinking about this, and have made my wife mad because I expect more for my efforts. It's funny tonight she said the chinese should pay us less example (2000rmb a month) and thats what they think we are worth.

Being married to a chinese woman is so frustrating at times.

[jwbhomer]

post deleted

[foreignDevil]

Two questions come to mind:

1) Why is your boss discussing your salary with your wife?

2) Why are you working at this job? All EF arguments aside (this forum has many many MANY threads on this topic ), you are working too many hours for the salary you have stated. There are better jobs out there, even just "English mill" jobs.



foreigndevil

[Anda]

It is no good telling us stuff like this, without telling us what degrees you have plus what experience you have. Do you get airfares, what holidays do you get, what accommodation do you receive.


You can teach in Public Schools for about 4,500 RMB for 16 to 18 hours a week if you have the paperwork etc but with not much paperwork you could be looking at 3,000 RMB a month. Public schools you need to be able to control classes of 55 students also.

If you are not happy then don't resign get a better job!

[hewlettpac]

Been teaching here for 8 months now. In the middle of completing my ITAT Airfares and ticketing foundation diploma and currently planning to enter University next year to study for a 3 year degree in communications. I have a TESOL teaching certificate and Retail Certificate. Hope that gives you more info.

[therock]

Who's side is your wife on? Why don't you tell your wife if you get more money it's better for you two. Also don't take your wife with you when you negotiate for pay increases. I can just imagine what happens. You walk into the office and ask for an increase in pay. The manager looks at you like you are nothing and turns to your wife. They have a discussion in Chinese and completely ignore you. After that you are told there will be no pay increase and that this is China and you should work for low pay.

With all that work you are doing you should be asking for 10,000RMB a month. Don't buy into those stories that this is China and that you should be working for low money.

My advice is quit, don't think about it, just do it. Find another position.

[therock]

[7969]

or else consider a divorce. sounds like your wife aint too helpful.

[latefordinner]

Stay home from work on Monday. Call in sick and tell your wife that she can earn the money, you're retired.

[Anda]

Okay then try a place like below and see what they say to you but I'd say that you are not doing too bad really for what you have.

I certainly would not hand in my notice before you have signed a contract for a better deal elsewhere.

The trick too with these contracts is that they are for ten months so they get out of paying you for the summer holidays. What do you do for a visa and money for the summer?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

A Uni job

4, Teaching load: 16-18 teaching hours (each teaching hour is 45 minute) every week

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china/index.cgi?read=17498

Salary and Treatment:
1, Salary: a monthly salary of RMB 3,500-5,000. Individual monthly salary is set according to the relevant qualifications and teaching experience. The mount is enough to live a comfortable life in Xuchang City and you can make good use of the holidays and vacations to travel all over China and experience the great Chinese culture. You may even save a little;
2, Accommodation: a rent-free spacious furnished apartment on teachers�� living compound, which is about 100 square meters. Each apartment includes a living room, a bedroom, a study, a kitchen and a bathroom. Equipment includes color TV with cable, washing machine, refrigerator, microwave, air conditioner, telephone, computer with internet, shower, western-style toilet and cooking utensils;
3, Round-trip economy airfare is reimbursed for one academic year contract;
4, 2,000 RMB travel allowance is offered per academic year.

[william wallace]

Scary stuff;I agree with all the posters. What was that song Tammy Wynett sang about her husband George Jones ?...D.I.V.O.R.C.E...great song
Not good man !!

[tw]

hewlettpac, I don't know how old your wife is, and what she does at home. However, I can assure you that your wife has got to be extreme minority for not wanting her husband to earn more money. My wife would love to see me making 10,000 RMB a month -- even if it means teaching 40 hours a week. Of course, she is half serious about the working 40 hours a week but the point is, my wife knows I am worth more than what some employers are willing to offer me.

Personally, I am shocked and disgusted by your wife. I just can't imagine instead of supporting her husband, she is actually on the Chinese people's side. Too often we hear tales of Chinese telling Chinese spouse of FT's that because they are Chinese, they should be on the Chinese's side. Well, your wife is certainly playing that role now. It is just simply unbelievable. I think my wife would probably love to give your wife a lecture.

One last thing, I agree with other posters who suggest your seven-month old marriage is probably not very healthy...

[brsmith15]

1. Quit your job.
2. Quit your wife.

[caius celestius]

EF attracts a lot of flak but I wouldn't diss them for the reasons you gave us. Yes, I too would hope for a pay increase but hope is not coupled to entitlement.

I believe EF treats you much the same as hundreds of similar outfits do their FTs. They simply are more present in the Chinese market.
You failed to mention any CONTRACTUAL obligations; did you make an oral agreement only? There should be a ceiling to the contact periods and office hours.

And you can't expect a salary rise in the middle of a contract period; such raises usually occur when you are about to sign on for a second term.

And I too don't quite understand your wife's part in it. Is she employed at EF? Well, she then sees with her own eyes how much better FTs get treated. How is that for loyalty building?

[Anda]

The pay rise thing is funny as they have a set charge for students and costs are fixed to that. Where is this extra money supposed to come from? Most places are linked to your level of experience plus your degrees. You want extra then ask for more hours. Chinese English teachers get around 20 RMB an hour and there is always someone waiting at the door to replace an employee who shakes the boat. Most places here it is the same with our lot. So yell as much as you like but remember you can be replaced.

Look at the ones getting the top money here and see that they have had to come up with to get it. Some get 18,000 RMB and more but they are at the peak in regards to age, ability, and qualifications.

A local Chinese hospital doctor in the city where I teach gets 2,000 RMB a month. Yep we are such a valuable thing but, like we are white and can speak English. Some of us can actually teach English too! Face it we are lucky at the moment aren't we?

Go for the best job you can get by all means but when you accept a job and they pay what they have agreed to pay then don�t complain. You want a better deal then find it but you only burn your support reference base by not leaving an employer on good terms.