Job Discussion Forums

[basman]

Hey everyone

I'm looking to go back to china but schools keep asking me for a release letter from a school i worked at back in 2009 for 5-6 months (I was accepted to masters program). I left on reasonably good terms with the school, I'm pretty sure they actually did give me a release letter but I think I lost it in the last year when I moved.

My question then is how do I go about getting a copy of this release letter from the school? Is it just a matter of contacting them and sending the template or is there more to it than that?

thanks a lot

[LanGuTou]

You could just try it and see. If you left on good terms and they did issue an original release letter, contact them and ask for a replacement. They may be happy to do it but the PSB may require the true copy and not a scanned or email version. If you are in another country, you might have to wire them some money to cover the cost of the postage,

[xi.gua]

I had to have my release letter when I accepted this job at my current school and they would not accept a copy or one e-mailed or anything. I had to physically go to my old school and get the letter and bring it back. It's not hard, but it is sometimes inconvenient if you're like me and have to make a 20 hour trip to get the letter, then a 20 hour trip back. Theoretically mail would work but the school could put off sending it for awhile and it's always nice to make a personal appearance to show good faith.

[LanGuTou]

Alternatively, contact them and ask them to send it directly to your new employer.

It could work the other way too. Your new employer could contact this school and ask them for a copy of the release letter. Just explain to your new employer your current circumstances and give them a contact name.

[godisasadjoke]

But remember, a school has NO responsibility to give you another release letter - by definition, not giving you another copy if they've previously issued it to you.

How would you go about getting it? Seems pretty simple to most folks here I think. Ask for it.

[Miles Smiles]

You said "...I'm looking to go back to china...", so I assume that you are telling us that you're in your home country now. Just don't mention that previous employer from whom you can't secure the copy of the letter.

Problem solved.

[west2east]

Whatever the terms and feelings of your departure from your last school, they *are* obliged to give you a letter of release. How long they choose to drag their feet over it is another matter. If they have already given you a letter of release and you have lost it, then it's at their discretion if they send you another one.

Time to brush up on your grovelling and cross your fingers. Many provinces are tightening up on enforcing the need for the letter of release, so it pays for teachers to remain on good terms with their past employers. The days of swanning from one job to another on a whim are, thankfully, closing in.

[Teatime of Soul]

Your school should have sent a copy of your release letter to the local PSB. If all else fails, you might ask your new employer to contact that PSB for a copy.