Job Discussion Forums

drrjon · Joined: 09 Oct 2010 Posts: 35 Location: Chongqing

I have hired several teachers for less than a year. Why lie about it? Be up front and do not burn bridges.

buzzing · Joined: 25 Nov 2010 Posts: 42

I would like to be upfront, but still want an ok job. I guess I could ask in the interview subtly- if it is ok for a six month contract then if they say no say (lie) ok twelve months is fine.

Also accommodation? In asked some questions on that anyone help out?

I will be skype interviewing soon, how do i choose the company I want to work for?

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I think some contracts have hefty penalities if you break them. I dont have a copy of it, but Im sure I had a contract with a 6000 RMB breach penalty. That isnt related to flight money BTW...it was a seperate breach.

Maybe some current Chinese contract holders can share their breach penalties with you.

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

The SAFEA contract says the breach penalty is "US$800 to 3000 or equivalent to 3 to 10 times Party B's monthly salary in RMB", though it also states this can be amended by agreement (up or down) and placed in an appendix contract.

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

Teatime of Soul · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 905

Hey buzzing, don't let the buzkiller's here get you down.

These Debbie Downers are probably just projecting their hostility on you because somewhere in their past, a coworker lied to their employer and took off early from his contract. They got stuck teaching his classes and explaining to his disappointed students why that teacher took off leaving everyone holding the bag.

So, maybe enough people have done this that getting airfare refunded before the end of a contract is now rarer than leprechauns because school owners have been burned by lying Foreign Teachers in the past.

So these wet blankets resent these midnight runners and people they feel are like them.

Maybe because some FTs have been liars and deceived their schools, coworkers and students, and there has been a steady decline in the respect, and the treatment of FTs by employers, who have become wary, even overtly untrusting of FTs.

So maybe these party poopers resent that and think you are just another one of those.

They don't understand.

You are you.

Your needs and wants matter more than theirs.

Their not different like you

Others being inconvenienced, damaged or like, whatever, is quite inconsequential.

They not special, like you.

Don't expect them to understand.

A'Moo · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 3:03 pm Post subject:

buzzing · Joined: 25 Nov 2010 Posts: 42

seamallowance · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:40 pm Post subject:

What the...? You really are only a troll aren't you?

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

Buzzing: Not sure if is true of all contracts, but that was from my SAFEA printed 2009 contract and I am pretty certain the 2010 one was the same. As I said, it can be amended if both parties agree. Anyway, even with these penalties, if you can come to an agreement with the school even if on a years contract, then you don't have to worry about it.

I agree with others who state that there are jobs out there with shorter contracts. The university I work at has teachers on both 6 month and 1 year contracts. You might find it easier if you tell them you would like a 6 month rolling contract. Not sure if it would be easier to find in 2nd tier cities or above, but that might be the case. I think in more rural places, they will have a harder time getting teachers in, so may not want to take the risk of losing someone halfway through the year. But where I live, in Wuhan, there are plenty of teachers around, so if we have someone who wants to sign for 6 months (or even leave a years contract, as we have this semester) the school is happy if they get a firm answer a month or two before the semester ends--this way, they have more than enough time to get a replacement in. I would also say that schools that are willing to listen to and be flexible on something like this from the start will probably be more open to your needs throughout your contract.

I would also guess that you are more likely to get this kind of flexibility if you have experience teaching, as many first timers don't really get the hang of things until they have done 6-12 months anyway. So if you do have past teaching experience, this may work in your favour.

Good luck.

A'Moo · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:13 pm Post subject:

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Funny but elsewhere on the site currently is a moan from someone in the US along the lines 'how come they won't send me the airfare upfront?'
Duh!
My FAO explained to me that the cost (time and money) to the school for the visa etc is the same for 6m or one year contract.
Even so, all recruitment ads are wish lists and hard to staff area colleges may be flexible.
My FAO also told me that the FE database is (or is going) national so doing a runner may haunt you later if you need to come back. With Western economies far from robust it would be unwise to spoil future work opportunities.
OP may be a troll or simply someone with an inflated sense of entitlement.
If he/she is genuine then I advise honesty. Ask yourself - 'would I do this in my home country?'