Job Discussion Forums

Dan Eric · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 81

I guess everyone knows that foreign teachers in China are not allowed to do work on side, e.g. picking up a few extra hours per week at another school or company. But I know many FT's do so anyway.

My question is, how much trouble could you be in if the local authorities (PSB) find out that you're working on the side?

On the one hand, it could be a case of "they don't really care, as long as you keep it quiet and stay out of trouble". And someone I know who has some experience working with the PSB once told me that as long as the your school gives you permission, it's ok.

But on the other hand, I've had several experiences of the authorities specifically and emphatically warning us not to work outside of our school. Their tone seemed to suggest that breaking the rule was serious enough to affect visas/permits.

james s · Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Raincity

Why... Everyone in China follows the law to a 'T'.

China responds to petty crime in relatively the same manner as other countries do.

cj750s · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:30 am Post subject:

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

Dear OP,

I write what I write very, very politely. Your question is probably one of the ten-most discussed items on this Board. The threads on this subject are endless -- truly endless. I can only wonder whether or not you did a search on this subject before you posted. It has truly been discusssed ad inifinitum and not much has changed since the last discussion.

All the best,

HFG

Dan Eric · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 81

Hunanforeignguy,

I spent about 15 minutes trying to perform a search, but for some reason the search function was not working, although it has worked fine for me in the past. No matter what I tried to search, it came up emtpy (e.g. "extra work", searched in the "China Job-related forum".) Also, I spent another 15 minutes or so trying to search page by page, but the internet connection was hopelessly slow (I even had three windows working at the same time). So I decided to post a new topic.

Perhaps I should have mentioned all that? But the thing is, I didn't know that this topic has been discussed so much already, so I didn't realize that some people might be annoyed by my asking.

Dan

HunanForeignGuy · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 989 Location: Shanghai, PRC

Dear Kind Dan,

Not annoyed at all -- just kindly letting you know that this is one subject that has been almost scientifically covered on this board and that there is a wealth of information on it available here by means of the search function.

All the best,

HFG

Dan Eric · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 81

Hunanforeignguy,

OK thanks.

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

Dan,

The answer, and I write this without tying to be funny, is "it depends."

It depends on...

a. Your contract
b. Your employer
c. Your PSB

Some employers may not care much, some may care a lot.

Our FAO was recently warned (by the local PSB) that if a school's teachers were caught teaching at another school without "PSB authorization" the school could anticipate fines in the 20,000 to 40,000 range and would be required to pay for the immediate deportation of the FT.

Other PSBs may have a more lenient policy, or not even care.

A key thing to remember is that if you are caught teaching at another school, the PSB may well presume you were sent by your school and your school is profiting from your labors. Therefore, the PSB may fine your school for YOUR infraction. That probably will not sit well with your employer.

But, if tradition holds, for every cautionary tale, there will be five posters here who will testify the rules can be flouted with impunity; so you have to make your own decision in the end.

Best of luck.