Job Discussion Forums

[piglet44]

I read all the stuff about midnight runners but what about the opposite situation? Just wondering what happens if I sign a contract but then I can't come to China? Am I being ridiculous? Will they not give me a visa to come another time?

[bythebookie]

Forget the legal obligations... what about the professional, moral, ethical, adult-responsibility obligations of signing a contract?

Many threads cover the if-and-buts of such a topic.

Don't sign a contract or get the work visa unless honor it.

[piglet44]

I didn't say I don't INTEND to honour it. I said "what happens if I CAN'T"?
My dad is 88 years old and I am worried if I sign something may happen before I can leave for China and I won't be ABLE to go.Of course I woudn't sign if I had NO INTENTION of going in the first place. That would be idiotic,wouldn't it?

[slareth]

[piglet44]

so slareth are you saying I should go ahead and sign a contract and hope that I will be able to make it to China?

[slareth]

[kev7161]

So, if I understand this correctly: Your father is 88 years old and you are worrying he could take a turn for the worse after you've signed a contract but before you actually leave for a job in China. So what do you do if something happens to your father while you are here in China (let's say 3 months into a contract)? I'm assuming you (as many people might) would up and leave due to family obligations, yes?

So, I'm wondering, why are you even considering leaving your 88 year old father in the first place? That's a pretty ripe old age and, I'm sorry to sound blunt, but he could go tomorrow, next month or next year. Wouldn't it be wiser to work more locally and then, in the event of an unhappy occasion, sow your EFL oats afterward?

[mat chen]

sign anything they ask you to sign. I sign my Chinese name now. Meaningless pieces of paper. You have to know who you are dealing with in Asia. This is like wild west America in 1870. If you have a problem your only way is going to the OK coral and having a shoot out. Win Win or you die mentality.

[piglet44]

Kev I have many reasons for doing it now can't really go into it now (taking retirement,kids now independent but not yet married, been in the same place 30 years... ) I am just asking.Of course he might take a turn for the worse after we are in China.I assume that an understanding employer would accept that reason for us leaving.

[Trebek]

Hi Piglet,

During your Skype interview, perhaps you should tell the interviewer about your father, and let them know that there is a small chance that this could happen. Tell them that you've never broken a teaching contract and don't intend to.

Seems like the straight foward approach is usually the best.

[piglet44]

that sounds like a good idea, Trebek

[Von Dut]

The problem I see with telling them before hand is that they might decide that the chance, however small it may be, might not be worth it for them and they will simply find someone else.

If something does happen down the road, tell your employer and hop on a plane home. Don't worry about the contract. I'm sure the school would understand if you have to leave. My parents are not in their 80's but you can be sure that if anything happened to any of my family or close friends back home I am on the next plane, regardless of what my school might say.

[flyingscotsman]

[flyingscotsman]

[daCabbie]

Scotsman, dude, John Wayne Gacy is so freaky.

I really hope you don't teach at a kindy.

Don't tell me the fantasy is always funnier.