Job Discussion Forums

[tarte tatin]

Has anyone else had any experience of this? I work at a private university and my foreign colleagues and myself were given lists of documents we had to hand over for YOK and the formalities when we were hired. This list included both notarised copies of our degrees and CELTA plus the originals.

Recently while sorting some documents at home it came to my notice that the originals had not been returned to me. I have requested them but the request has been refused and I have been told I will get them when I leave.

None of the Turkish teachers has had to hand over their originals (with the exception of our heads of department). My other foreign colleagues have joined me and their requests are being refused too. I don't need the originals urgently but it angers me that they think they can hold my personal property without my permission. I don't have any patience for that sort of manipulation and game playing. Of course, if I really need them I can get replacements but that is ridiculous to have to do that.

[coffeespoonman]

That's ridiculous.

I also work at a private university and didn't have to hand over anything but photocopies. Not notarized.

There's no legitimate reason that they would need to hold your originals. I'd like to believe this is due to their confusion about Y�K's policy rather than an attempt to bully you or play games, but then, I don't know what university you work for (perhaps I'm being optimistic).

Have you asked why they won't give it back? If they don't give you a good reason, I'd get the other teachers together and put some pressure on them. While having your original diploma isn't a HUGE deal, it basically means that they're trying to control you by limiting your options (they're assuming that other unis won't be able to hire you without your original, meaning that you can't leave).

Other than this, are you happy there?

[tarte tatin]

I am happy there on the whole. Or was happy until this situation arose.

My head of department is really mortified about all this and apparently the Director General is going to prepare an explanation for us about how under Turkish law, he is entitled to keep our documents. We all know lawyers who say this is rubbish and no such law exists.

I believe one of my colleagues who is leaving Turkey shortly anyway is prepared to hassle them to the point of getting fired, so we will leave the heavy work to that person;)

[coffeespoonman]

It's always good to know people with nothing to lose.

The question is WHY the director general would want to keep your originals even if he IS entitled to do so.

[Kirkpatrick]

Yea, it's rubbish.. I gave my origional documents to American culture association. I now they won't give them back so that I can work else where. When I had my current employeer call them about this .. American culture said I never gave them any documents, that I was a DRUNK and owed them money... Real jerks... Anyways, do you need the origionals to process a work visa...

[coffeespoonman]

Nope, photocopies should be fine. My B.A. is a photocopy, and I've never had a problem.

[tarte tatin]

We still haven't got them back even though the person who has them in his safe has been told by someone even higher up the ladder to return them.

Stupid power games. It has really made me lose my goodwill towards the place.