Job Discussion Forums

[mikefriend]

I recently asked my employer for the "expert book". I know they have one for me because they told me. I have a RP visa and am a legal worker.

I asked maybe 5-6 times and always got the answer that the book was in a different office.

Today I had to go to the office for something else and asked yet again for it.

I was met with many questions, like why did I want it.

The answer I gave was I need it to change money and that I use it for ID because I don't carry my passport.

Now I did finally get it but was told I would have to give it back to them soon. And I was told to carry copies of my passport for ID.

So the question is why would they not want to give it to me? What benefit do they get from withholding it from me?

By the way I did research some of the older threads on this and it seems the general consensus is that all legal fts are entitled to possess this book.

I just don't understand why they would stonewall me on this issue when they have the book.

[brsmith15]

Altho there might be a legit reason, I suspect they're merely playing the "I'm-in-charge-of-you-and-therefore-I-can-do-anything-I-want-to-you" game. It's just their misguided sense of power. Like O'Brien said in "1984," power is the ability to make someone suffer.

Although most (not all, but most) Chinese possess all the seven deadly sins and few of the seven cardinal virtues, you can add stupidity and dishonesty to the former.

I'd begin looking for another school if you discover this is the case. There will only be more of it.

By the way, who's this game-playing employer of yours?

[Anda]

If you do a midnight runner then they have to go through a lot of bother to get another. You are supposed to hand it in when you leave an employer as it is used for the next employee.

[cj750nomad]

It sometimes can be valuble for changing employers. I used mine this year to avoid leaving the country and instead was able to just give my old FEC to my new employer of record and then they were able to get a new one showing the new employer.

[mikefriend]

[kev7161]

If it were me, I'd make copies of all the pertinent pages and give my school the copies. Of course, it helps to work for a fairly reputable stand-up kind of school where they only ask for me FEC when they need to renew it and then I get it back a couple weeks later so my advice is not necessarily sound.

[brsmith15]

Mike,

A legit reason might be

1. There's an error that needs correcting, e.g., your birthdate is wrong.
2. The PSB has changed something like the actual format and therefore they'll need to issue you a new one.
3. The PSB has requested it for some reason like you're suspected of some nefarious deed.

Kev has a great idea. Give them copies. If you do surrender the FEC, ask for a receipt and ask them when you can expect it to be returned.

[arioch36]

Smith

[Mpho]

I used to hold on to my FEC in the past, so that I could exchange money. But the new FEC have eliminated the per cent that you can exchange and the pages listing the exchanged amounts.

There really is no reason that you need this book. You really cannot use it as a passport or ID, even though it has your passport number in it. If some hotels, etc. accept it, so be it, but you really should use your passport.

The FEC belongs to the school, not you. It is their piece of paper to show that you are legitimately employed at the school. If there is a police raid on the FAO they need to produce these books to avoid a fine.

Some schools are very lax about having them in their possession others are very strict.

Schools usually expect you to turn this in to them before you get your letter of release (from the contract).

Mpho

[cj750nomad]

[Songbird]

Mpho. wow, you're right about the new FEC (I just had a look at mine)....so now what do we do for changing money at the bank?

Also, I am now over the tax threshold, however, the school picks up the tax bill for me (whether they actually PAY this tax is another guess). What would I need to change money at the bank?

[cj750nomad]

my experience in Beijing is up to 500USD worth of RMB exchanged each day is allowed on your passport. As to the other way around I think it may be around 50000USD worth exchanged into RMB in one year and yes they do keep records.

[flutterbayou]

[quote="cj750nomad"]

[kev7161]

[cj750nomad]