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LanGuTou
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
Posts: 621
Location: Shandong
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 Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 11:51 am Post subject: |
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| raven15 wrote: |
Yeah, I guess I should stick it out. I thought about it a lot, and I chose the university for good reasons (location and high salary, albeit with more hours). Those haven't changed, and the pay is regular and reliable. Though I think there is a decent chance I will wish I had moved on soon, they provided me with less than my contract hours this semester I know they will try and reduce my salary because of it. In which case I will surely be moving on if they don't budge.
There is no chance of things changing around here. I know foreign teachers have been trying to improve things for years, with no real changes that I have heard of.
But for sure I am not going out of my way to do anyone any favors now. |
Sorry to move aside from the topic of unauthorised entry to your living quarters but this caught my attention. If you work in a university, surely you have a SAFEA contract stipulating a certain salary and the corresponding teaching hours?
Yes, they can reduce the teaching hours but, unless it is specifically stated that you are paid hourly, they cannot just reduce your salary when they feel like it.
If they do, you have a bona fide breach claim that you may be able to use against them if you wish to move on. |
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Ariadne
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 960
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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You need to put an additional lock on your door... a lock that the school does not have a key for. People do not have the right to enter your apartment, move your things, and use your bathroom!! If they can come in while you're gone, they could come in while you're there. Don't risk waking up to find a stranger staring at you. Hire someone from outside to install a padlock on your door immediately. Don't ask for permission, just get it done.
What an awful situation. Get that lock.
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tomstone
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Posts: 293
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Good tip, Ariadne, but the point is that THEY SHOULD NOT BE DOING THAT. If you have to take extraordinary measures to protect yourself from colleagues, something is very wrong. |
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TexasHighway
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 779
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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raven15 wrote:
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| What really irritates me is that the university locks the downstairs doors at night, so I have to ask someone to let me into or out of my own apartment between 11 pm and 7 am, while they can go all the way into my bedroom anytime they want for no reason. Pretty unprofessional and disrespectful if you ask me. |
I don't blame you at all for being upset. However, Chinese don't have the same sense of privacy that we have in Western culture. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to change that. I also have taught at a school where they locked the doors at night so no one can leave. If there were a fire, we'd all be toast! I would recommend talking to the dean about getting an option for a housing allowance to move off-campus. |
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raven15
Joined: 14 May 2009
Posts: 20
Location: varies
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Well by now I've pretty much convinced myself I can live with it for the time being. At least, I'll wait for this month's pay in the next day or so and see if it's all there, then talk with the other guy whose room they were using when he gets back and see what he says. Whatever happens will be more convincing if there's two of us.
I guess I'm not real concerned with being paid too little because I know I won't accept it for even a week. I'll be happy to stop teaching and leave if they try. There is a SAFEA contract, but last semester they tried doing it to some foreign teachers because they had never been to China before (it didn't work on them either). Even if they think it's unlikely they'll succeed, they'll try on the hope.
The padlock may be a good idea, I looked at my bike lock but that wouldn't work any way I could see. I don't feel threatened, it's just the principle of the matter. I could only imagine if I invited myself into the dean's home for a few days what she'd have to say.
The one thing I don't like is if the worst thing I can do is leave at the end of the year, she won't care, so she'll feel free to do it again next year to someone who'll merely leave at the end of the year as well. |
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Jayray
Joined: 28 Feb 2009
Posts: 373
Location: Back East
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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| happigur1 wrote: |
From what I last heard, in 2010 Chinese implemented a "black list" that restricts you from getting a visa into China. |
No, there is no "nationwide blacklist" that would cover FTs who run into problems with the FAO. If one exists, it would be for people who commit serious crimes.
This would have to be implemented by SAFEA. SAFEA can't find its butt with two hands.
The "blacklist" exists among the recruiters who just bypass names that have been passed on to them. I was told this by a recruiter who found me a job.
If there were a national blacklist for those who have run-ins with his FAO, I'd be on it.
I'm not.
Who told you about the "national blacklist?" I'd really like to know. There's so much BS floating around the TEFL industry that should be shoveled.
If the OP were to break his contract with no egregious circumstances , the worst that would happen would be that the FAO might notify the PSB who could then, in turn, create problems for the FT should he remain within the city to seek another job. My experience with the PSB at my last job was that the PSB isn't really interested in this sort of thing unless someone who has political influence intervenes. My FAO fired me on the last day of school, then acted quickly to get me out of the country before I had time to find a job or someone to intervene on my behalf. THAT'S the thing that anyone who breaks his contract should be prepared for.
In any event, should one decide to end his contract early, he should try to come to some sort of mutual agreement with the FAO. FAOs don't really want to keep a teacher who does not want to be there. If the FT does want to bug out, he should have a good prospect lined up so that things go smoothly.
This is a link to some very good ideas to consider before anyone takes advice from an anonymous member on an ESL/TEFL forum (including me):
http://middlekingdomlife.com/blog/china_living/psychopathology-of-anonymous-efl-china-teacher-forums/ |
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raven15
Joined: 14 May 2009
Posts: 20
Location: varies
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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| TexasHighway wrote: |
raven15 wrote:
| Quote: |
| What really irritates me is that the university locks the downstairs doors at night, so I have to ask someone to let me into or out of my own apartment between 11 pm and 7 am, while they can go all the way into my bedroom anytime they want for no reason. Pretty unprofessional and disrespectful if you ask me. |
I don't blame you at all for being upset. However, Chinese don't have the same sense of privacy that we have in Western culture. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to change that. I also have taught at a school where they locked the doors at night so no one can leave. If there were a fire, we'd all be toast! I would recommend talking to the dean about getting an option for a housing allowance to move off-campus. |
Ha! But I bet I would discover the Chinese concept of privacy real fast if I reciprocated, visiting the dean's house or office and rearranging everything. I may try yet.
Exactly. It's not like there's a 15 minute firework display every night across the street or anything. No way this building could ever catch fire. |
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The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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If there is a martial dispute going on in another foreigner's room, I would suggest that, knowing Chinese as I know them, they have rented the room for the duration that he is not there to make extra money.
It is modern Chinese culture to think of ways to make extra money, so it would not surprise me.
You have multiple options, and you already have a number of pieces of advice from fellow teachers here in China.
Here are some options (use any, all, or none as you wish):
- Leave immediately.
- Report them to Beijing (what they did is in fact not allowed). I am pretty sure that Beijing would do anything to "save national face" so to speak. If you even hint that you would spread what they did, the country as a whole would "lose face". A simple statement such as "Such a loss of face for your country to go into an invited guest's home without informing him" is perhaps all that is needed.
- Inform them that what they did to an invited guest was very wrong and you will be sure to let other foreigners know about the practices of their university.
- Give them notice according to the contract and leave as soon as possible.
- Do nothing extra in terms of working. Accept no invites to dinners or school parties, etc. Refuse to be pushed to "work harder" and teach in your own style.
- Go on strike until an apology is given.
- Have someone write in Chinese "The Dean (add his name) Went Into an Invited Foreign Guest's Home Without Permission or Advanced Request", then photocopy it a hundred times, and post it on your door. When it is removed, post it again.
Good luck.... |
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The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Posts: 4946
Location: Blabbing
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: Problem with my current university |
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| raven15 wrote: |
| "I have the right to go into your apartment anytime I want because I'm the dean of Foreign Affairs." |
I would have said:
"I have the right to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing and my embassy to lodge a formal complaint about how you treat invited foreign guests." |
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Jayray
Joined: 28 Feb 2009
Posts: 373
Location: Back East
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| Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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Reporting anything to the SAFEA is pointless, even if anyone can manage to get someone to listen to your complaint or even answer the phone.
The SAFEA is like a big, stinking, toothless dead guard dog. It's there, but it doesn't do anyone any good.
I still suggest that the OP try to line up a job before further confronting the FAO or contacting anyone else. What westerners regard as immutable laws are often considered mere suggestions by the Chinese Powers That Be.
Also, the OP should be mindful that it is becoming more and more common for FTs who go from one school to another to be required to obtain a release and (sometimes) a letter of recommendation from the school before proceeding to another school. **
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** Results may vary. |
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fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:13 am Post subject: |
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| Jayray wrote: |
| http://middlekingdomlife.com/blog/china_living/psychopathology-of-anonymous-efl-china-teacher-forums/ |
Jayray, thanks for posting that link. That's a really good article. Good website as well.
Regards,
fat_chris |
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Sugar & Spice
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
Posts: 73
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kukiv
Joined: 13 Dec 2009
Posts: 328
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| Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:53 am Post subject: |
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| Chinese don't have the same sense of privacy that we have in Western culture. |
Reminds me of a funny story I read about a tourists privacy experience - during the 80's.
Western woman takes a shower in a Beijing Hotel - but as she comes out of the shower room to dry herself down in the bedroom a male hotel worker, without knocking, opens the door to come into the room (I think with water flasks or some such thing). Seeing her naked he immediately retreats - however, woman a little angry about what she considers a breach of privacy decides to let it go. But then comes the manager - and woman thinks that they are going to issue an apology. But ohhhhhh no this is China - and the manager then goes onto berate the woman for being naked in the bedroom - she should have dried in the bathroom - and asked her to apologize to the shocked worker!!!!!!!!!!!
Times have moved on - no longer will you have to apologize to hotel staff if the barge into your room while you're starkers - and in the same vein many Chinese teachers would never put up with the kind of treatment that Raven has had to endure!!!!
It may be because FT's normally just whine a little and bark in the office without ever biting back - that the schools know they can get away with some pretty nasty stuff. Pride in yourself means taking action - I would be looking for another job - might not hurt the school much, but at least I'd have the satisfaction of being able to show then that they'd not been able to reach my standards  |
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rc81
Joined: 03 Jul 2009
Posts: 85
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| Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:55 am Post subject: |
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| tomstone wrote: |
If a situation is intolerable, pulling a runner IS a good idea. Nobody should have to endure harassment. Of course, reasonable effort should be made to remedy the situation, but many times these situations are instigated by people who are "power mad"; an unfortunate facet of human nature is that people in authority tend to abuse the authority.
Re the "blacklist", if it is the real deal, just go to Hong Kong, apply for jobs on the mainland and don't tell them you worked in China before! |
see, this is what i was trying to bring up in another thread. it seems hard to believe that its that easy to get around a bad reference. im sure a new school could easily find out if youve had a Z visa and worked previously in china. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 3258
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| Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 5:59 am Post subject: |
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| im sure a new school could easily find out if youve had a Z visa and worked previously in china |
They probably COULD, but would they? Unlikely. |
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