Job Discussion Forums

evelopez · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 46

OK. First of all, I must thank Sashadroogie for PMing me the number of a lawyer. I just got off the phone with him. He has, bless his heart, agreed to take on my case pro bono.

You guys were absolutely right - BKC is lying their heads off.

The lawyer told me that this is a very common situation for English teachers in Moscow. If a school wants to get rid of a teacher without having to pay them severance, benefits, last salary, etc. - they just claim "visa problems" and promptly issue a 10-day exit visa. By the time the teacher figures out what really happened, it's too late - they're already out of the country and it's impossible to sue.

The lawyer said that either the visa manager at BKC is lying or she's completely clueless or just plain incompetent. He expressed some level of disbelief that a visa manager can be ignorant of how to get a visa transferred. It takes a lot of paperwork, but it can be done. BKC either is too lazy to do this, or they really want me out.

The lawyer that Sashadroogie referred me to is a very nice guy and he is going to write a letter to BKC demanding my money.

Thanks for all your advice, guys. I can't believe that just three short months ago I was singing the praises of BKC!

kazachka · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 220 Location: Moscow and Alaska

Hell, call the tax authorities...or threaten to!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 9:47 am Post subject:

Ura! Go get 'em!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 11:28 am Post subject:

Sorry, a further detail. Regarding getting the funds for a plane ticket home, this too can be landed at BKC's feet. Eve, even in the extremely unlikely situation that you got nowhere with the legal process, there is one more juicy bit of info that few people seem to know about. Namely, when an employer gets you a visa, they also need to put down a deposit with the immigration authorities to cover the likelihood of the employee being deported. Though I freely admit I don't have the exact figure, I think it is safe to guess that it must be more than the cost of an air fare, even in the high season.

Whatever else happens, you do not need to worry about the flight home. BKC does not want you to be deported - too expensive for them. Their magical Emergency Fund will be duly trotted out if needs be. And hey presto! Ticket appears...

So, don't buy any plane tickets just yet! Very Happy

evelopez · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 46

Sashadroogie, you are truly rockin' with all this great information. I had no idea. Too cool. I don't have any money for a plane ticket so I literally can't buy one, anyway. Glad to know that the magical BKC emergency fund will, at the very least, get me home.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 3:04 pm Post subject:

Another inspired thought. Perhaps you could request your lawyer to also write to the IH World HR dept. in London?

Tel: 020 7611 2438
e-mail: [email protected]
http://www.ihworld.com/index.asp

More blots on the BKC copy book...Tut tut.

evelopez · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 46

Will do!

I actually have ANOTHER lawyer who is working on my behalf (a student of mine I confided in) and he also agreed that BKC is being dishonest. The first thing this lawyer asked for was the contact information of headquarters.

I have also emailed HQ in the UK, but they haven't emailed me back (maybe because of the holiday). In any case, I too am looking forward to BKC's response once they get one (or more!) letters from my lawyers demanding payment.

http://thingsevewoulddo.blogspot.com/2009/12/bkc-ih-moscow-international-house-of.html

norwalkesl · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 6:49 am Post subject:

I wouldn't put any level of mendacity past them, but in this case I don't think they planned anything at all. I don't think they knew a handbag was going to be stolen/lost, so I think the unfortunate timing is just that, unfortunate. They are just reacting to the situation as it unfolds. Reacting badly, and so being caught out not being honest about visas. That's their modus operandi. First they deny any responsibility on their part. Then they disseminate some 'untruths'. Then they stonewall you and remain tight-lipped in they hope you will just go away. So their lack of response to your emails is also typical - it is similar to an ostrich sticking its head in the sand until a problem disappears. They won't find it too successful when they get a legal letter.

Eve, from your blog entries I think you are confusing BKC with IH. They are not one and the same. International House is a British organisation which offers franchises to schools globally. BKC is a Russian school that has the IH franchise in Moscow. So BKC's 'headquarters' are not in London, but in Borovitskaya. This will be important for your lawyers to know, but I'd guess they already do.

In any case, IH will not be very pleased about this. It is very bad press. Very. While they generally do not interfere in the running of schools, something like this may force their hand, if only to protect their brand name and reputation. But only after the holidays...

evelopez · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 46

Yes, of course they would have no way of planning to have my purse lost. Smile

Thanks for the info, Sashadroogie - so basically, BKC-IH Moscow is an independently owned franchise? I will let the lawyers know.

Cookie Monster · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 10

Apparently BKC are telling the truth. I've heard it's the same situation at other schools too at the moment.

As for getting your air fair, another question; what kind of contract did you sign? I've heard that only contracts written in Russian are valid under Russian law, so if you didn't sign one, you may have problems.

I hope it all works out for you though. Good luck.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 9:06 am Post subject:

BKC is not being totally honest. Certainly not about visas. Remember the mysterious 'visa tax' scam? This was their excuse for deducting money from freelancers on a BKC visa - i.e. BKC needed to pay a tax to the government.

Teachers may not have signed a Russian language contract, but that doesn't mean that a 'signed' one was not submitted to the authorities as part of the visa application, even if the teacher was unaware of it. Its contents are not as important as your statutory rights anyway. Check the Labour Code...

Nexus · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 189 Location: Moscow

When the company applied for your visa and they had to show you were a contracted member of staff they certainly did not give them the English contract that you signed - that would mean nothing to the authorities. It must either be in Russian or, if in two languages, two columns with Russian on one side and a translation on the other.

The first thing your lawyer will ask for is a copy of the contract (Russian) so it may be worth seeing what signature is on there! Raises another question or two ...

evelopez · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 46

Everything's been so crazy. Let's just say they are "displeased" with the attorney situation.

SERIOUSLY DISPLEASED.

So through the grapevine, I've been advised to stop writing about them until I'm safely out of the country.

The U.S. Embassy guys and I are now best friends.

I can't believe how ugly this all got, so quickly.

So, you guys want to know what their reaction was when they got the lawyer from the letter?

I will tell you my story of living in terror when I actually make it out of the country.

I regret not taking the warnings on this forum seriously enough.

I regret being so damn cocky and pleased with myself in that first post.

It's been - crazy.

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

Keep that 'grit' throughout this time. Everything that sucks is character-building. It's good to stick up for yourself and show people you insist on being treated better. All you did was lose you passport. Let us know what happens when you're back.