Job Discussion Forums

YankeeDoodleDandy · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:22 pm Post subject: Contracts in China

To the OP, when you sign a contract in the West, for most of the time it is a done deal. In the Middle Kingdom, after you sign a contract, the Chinese side, will try their best to renegotiate the contract to their advantage. Most of the world operates on bargaining for goods and talking on for hours. Welcome to China ! Be steadfast and keep a stiff upper lip or bend over.

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

Sorry mate, but you live on campus and if that's the rule, that's the rule. You can't really argue that it doesn't apply to you, even if you think it isn't being enforced in respect of others or if you think it's just to control you. The school does have a right to impose rules of entry/exit to the premises. If you can't live with that then the best idea is to move of campus.

PattyFlipper · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 572

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

Fred Smith · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Posts: 77

YankeeDoodleDandy · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject: Fred Smith, You are a lucky man.

In the contracts that I have signed with four schools , there is always a clause or comment to uphold Chinese values or moral standards, or something to that effect.

Fred Smith · Joined: 06 Dec 2008 Posts: 77

YankeeDoodleDandy · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject: China Girl

Welcome to China.

bradley · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 235 Location: China

I think every contract has the "morality" clause.

When I first came to my university I was told that overnight guests were not allowed and then saw other teachers doing this. And I realized that this rule was not enforced. Teachers who came after me were not even informed of this rule.

Sometimes these things get brought up that have nothing to do with you or even more likely at least at this university, is that the students start gossiping that you have too many girls going to your room.

sharpe88 · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226

Since she's actually living there, they know who she is and don't have a problem with that.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

chengdu4me · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:41 am Post subject:

Fred, I hate to say this, but, if there were no rules in the contract, then they get to make them up as they go along. It is your fault that you didn't ask for the rules beforehand. It is not their fault that you were naive. You are accepting their pay and you are living in a home that they provide. Sounds to me like the golden rule has been invoked.

bradley · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 235 Location: China

I would just obey their rules for a month or two.

This is quite normal in China. For one month they crackdown on one thing: prostitution, illegal DVDs, pirated electronic goods. And the next month this cause is forgotten.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Flipper, You are correct. Sometimes things like that do work out; however, in your case, it was the little man at the gate causing problems. The bigger man did not care. Lots of little people like that in China. They cause problems simply because they think they can. And they do back down.

In Fred's case, it is not the little man at the gate. It is the bigger man who objects to his behavior. Different situation entirely.

As I said earlier, people do lose their jobs over this issue. There are easier ways to handle this than direct confrontation. There are alternatives.