Job Discussion Forums

[Cubism]

Hi. Financially I need to stay in the prc another yr or so; but this job has lied to me so much that I'd better have my plans carefully laid for when they decide to dump me. They applied for only a 6 mos res permit though they'd promised me a year. Etc. Therefore,

Is it possible to change jobs WITHIN CHINA when the ft leaves their university job declaring a "family emergency?" I realize that the ft would lose plane fare reimbursement, summer vacation pay etc.

But I'm curious: what would the ft have to do; how is this done?

Thanks.

Cube

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

what other violations has the school committed? bring us up to speed first.

[Lobster]

Well, the OP has gone into depth on his troubles with his uni on other threads, but I'm still not clear on the exact root causes of his problems. No matter. If you wish to leave and have a "soft landing" through the family emergency option, here's what you do.

1. Start your job search and get your resume out to all employers who appear to have potential.
2. Start dropping hints at work about your critically ill relative who is at death's door.
3. Round up a few job offers; preferably in another province but certainly in a different city.
4. When you get past the preliminary negotiations and think you have a deal with a new employer, inform them that you may not be able to provide a release letter or references from your current job. Is that ok? Can they find a way to procure an RP and FEC? Ok? Sign a contract with them.
5. When you finally get a hit with people who have enough guanxi to make you legal without those documents, it's time to inform your uni that your dear realtive now has only days left in the mortal sphere and you must rush to their deathbed. By the way, can I get a Release Letter and Reference? It's been so nice working with you but I must oversee the estate and that may take months or more. (This must be done immediately after you have received your pay and not before!)
6. Decamp and head to your next post within 3 days.
7. Cross your fingers and hope that you haven't fallen into another snake pit.

While I usually wouldn't support breech of contract, it seems like your current position is more trouble than it's worth and the first rule of the FT must be "cover your butt"! In most cases, when a legitimate employee has a run-in with local authorities over a trifle or misunderstanding, the FAO is down at the station raising holy hell, and it doesn't seem that yours has offered any support whatsoever.

Other posters may have a different take on this or offer alternate suggestions. This is just my personal advice to you. Just be sure that your attitude or demeanor isn't such that it leads to future entanglements.

RED

[Cubism]

Thank you, Red, for your advice. The FAO's/CPC rep's calm acceptance of the cops' "assistance" is something I'd definitely noticed, too.

I sincerely do not know what the "root cause" was; all my "in depth" words don't really say, do they? I think somebody on that red-eye special from BKK turned me in as a terrorist.

I do wish life didn't whiz by so quickly. One day I'm a flower child, the next I'm an OP...

Thanks again. Cubism