Job Discussion Forums

[Songbird]

Hey all,

Have a new job lined up for the term and everything is/was hunky dory, but I asked the college for photos of the apartment they'll give me. They scraped their feet for AGES, though I signed the contract and sent all the docs (including release letter) as everything else about the school checked out.

Now today (about 2 weeks before I planned to move in there before heading home for the holidays) the FAO of the new school has sent pics and, well, my heart sank. I am moving from a (admittedly I am spoiled here!) 2 storey 140m apartment to what looks like a hotel room (bathroom is huge and lovely with real shower and bath though).

I have lived in China for 5 years now and know what to expect for apartments. Also, I have a LOT of stuff that I really don't think is going to fit, including loads of teaching materials!

What if I gave them the last minute heave-ho? Like I said they now have all my paperwork and I think are in the process of getting the FEC, but won't get that and the residence permit til September when I get back. I've been approached by another school (offering me impressive salary!) but in the same town. They called a couple of weeks ago but told them I had already signed this contract though said I would be interested next year. Or should I just grit my teeth for a year and live in a shoebox anyway?

[Mister Al]

If you are truly unhappy with the place then ASAP you should tell them the housing they are offering you is not acceptable. Either they find somewhere more suitable or provide you with an appropriate housing allowance and you find your own place. If they won't budge then refuse to accept the job and take the other one.

[Songbird]

Remember I've already signed the contract! Which means I've obviously accepted the job.

Wondering if I can/ should make my excuses and go chat to the other school...but given it's in the same PROVINCE, let alone the same city, it may affect my application for the residence permit if I've 'ran away' already!

[Silent Shadow]

[Songbird]

Hang on, what do you mean 'real contract'? I did- they sent 4 things to sign- Chinese language contract, Chinese language appendix to the contract, and English of both as well. Haven't received them back signed and chopped by the school though (that's usually in September once you've arrived).

[Silent Shadow]

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

if the apartment is dirty, not been well maintained, doesn't have all the amenities listed, or is substandard in any other way, then most people would agree that it would be fine to tell them to improve that or you're moving on. but because its smaller than your previously lived in mansion? doesnt sound like a good reason to me but that's my opinion.

i have a small one bedroom flat that isn't equivalent to the three bedroom penthouse i had at a previous job in china, but so what? its quite livable and is a lot easier to keep clean.

in the end, people can make their own decisions.

[drjtrekker]

Hey Songbird...
Totally understand...I Could not deal with the "Hotel Room" apt! (turned down a job this year for that very reason)

Anyways, I am very curious as if to whether they verbally gave you info that was misleading about the living quarters, or did you just ask for pics or...?

[Songbird]

I fully understand about not comparing my current place with the new one. Yes, this is a flippin MANSION by usual uni standards here in China, and wouldn't expect something like this again, unless I paid myself. And to be honest, I wouldn't, too much cleaning!

It doesn't even look like there's a kitchen, or maybe (can't see it in the pics) it's one of those little side kitchenette things some hotels have near the entry. It's all 1 room, with 2 beds (might ask them to remove one for space) and little desk for 'office'. It's all brand spankin new, as I said, bathroom is lovely and of better standard than all the other placed I've lived in China (but same as this one).

drjtrekker, I asked for pics when in contract prior to signing the contract. They said they were busy renovating and wouldn't be very good to take pics at the time. Given it was some weeks ago I asked for them (and haven't asked since), I guess it was kind of the FAO to remember to email them to me when it was done, and today (being Saturday, I know most don't work then). The contract says "Party A provides Party B a free apartment with basic living facilities' etc...

[vikeologist]

Songbird. I think that you're correct. You have signed the contract, that you're legally bound to start the job (as much as any contract anywhere is legally binding) and that since you signed it ' a few weeks ago' the University will now have invested so much money and time into you that they might have a motivation to cause trouble for you if you took another job. For these reasons I think it would be very risky to pursue another job.

However, the apartment clearly is a issue. Why not tell the FAO that you are unhappy with the apartment from the photos, and ask what the options are. Maybe there are other teacher apartments, perhaps some teachers live off campus. It would definitely be worth making it clear that the apartment doesn't seem to meet your requirements. I'm sure the FAO has dealt with other teachers equally unhappy in the past. Hopefully they'll be as keen as you to resolve this issue. I do empathise with you, but unfortunately I think everything that Shadow has said is erroneous, apart from the fact that you can still negotiate with them after a contract is signed. Your bargaining power would have to come from your value as a teacher, rather than any kind of threat not to take the job, though of course it wouldn't do any harm to let them believe that you might 'go home' rather than work for them.

[Non Sequitur]

OP
Wouldn't be Dalian U of Tech would it?
They provide basic hotel room with sep bathroom for FTs.
OK for a week but you'd go crazy any longer stay.

[Songbird]

Nope, Huashang College in Guangzhou (NEARISH Guangzhou). I do know of several universities starting to do this, okay for a month or short term teacher, but for 1 year?! I know the dreaded Shengda is famous for it!

[randyj]

[Silent Shadow]

Vike, what have I said that's erroneous?

How can a contract that's only been signed by one party be binding? Until she receives a copy also signed by the school she is not under contract.

Anyway, I wasn't advising you to not accept your commitment, Songbird. I think the best thing for you to do is to negotiate for an apartment that will better suit your needs.

[Non Sequitur]

What about an allowance to live in your own apt off campus?
DUT used to provide this and the situation OP has, can hardly be new.
Especially for FTS who have had other jobs here with better facilities.