Job Discussion Forums

igorG · Joined: 10 Aug 2010 Posts: 1473 Location: asia

I realize this topic has been discussed on the board, but this is that time of the year and i am begging for it. 3 years at the uni and this. Maybe, i don't deserve the letter. No evaluation has been forwarded to me in any way, and i am beggining to doubt myself. I am serious!

tacoeater · Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Posts: 45

You acknowledge it's been discussed but you create a new thread anyway?

Why would you not "deserve" it exactly?

Doubt yourself? Becuase you have no letter in your hand after 3 years? You really need some kind of affirmation? That's a little sad Sad

Indicate to your employer, assuming you're leaving their employ, that they are required by law to provide you a letter of reference/recommendation.

How long have you been begging? You should have warned them 2 months ago or more if you didn't intend on remaining under their reins, so you're not in a time-sensitive squeeze at "this time of the year."

Lobster · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:23 am Post subject:

Seeing as this seems to be becoming more of an issue these days, and because this letter now has increased importance, I would recommend that FTs include a contract clause that specifically states that the letter will be provided upon completion of the contract. After my last hassle getting my visa due to an incorrectly stamped (but cheerfully provided) release form, I made sure this clause made it into my current contract. Certainly it's no guarantee that they will actually provide it, but at least you have something to point to.

I'm not saying that it's typical for schools to start ignoring your needs and their obligations once they become aware that you're leaving, but it does seem to happen with some degree of regularity.

Igor, you've been there 3 years, so it's unlikely you've done anything to set them off. Although you have never been officially evaluated, no doubt they have conducted their own evauation and have not shared the results with you.

Are you still teaching classes?
Are you living in school-provided accommodations?
Do you have a good relationship with admin?
Are there any outstanding contract issues on your part?
Have you submitted all grades or any other required paperwork?
What is your timeline now?

By now you should know exactly who is responsible for getting this done. If not, find out. You haven't really told us what steps you've taken so far and what, if any, reaction there has been. Here's what I'd do:

Approach the FAO and state (or reiterate) your need for the document(s).

Ask them whether there is any particular problem with them giving you a release and recommendation.

Ascertain whether they are aware of which document(s) you require and know how to obtain and process it. The release is a one-page, short form checkbox affair with some room for notes on performance.

Give a set date to provide the letter(s) and get them to agree to it. Give yourself lots of leeway on this in case they don't deliver.

Ask whether, in terms of a recommendation letter (not the official release form) they would like you to draft the letter. Prior to this, write your own letter (nothing but the facts), and if they answer in the affirmative, give them the copy right then and there, asking that it be copied onto letterhead, signed and chopped.

A couple of days before the documents are due, drop by or call to ask if there have been any problems. Attend on the agreed date to collect. Ask them to call you if it's ready in advance.

If they don't deliver, you're going to have to camp in the office looking morose until they give it to you, placidly explaining that you can do nothing else until you have the form, and that you have to come every day until they provide it. You aren't angry; just confused, sad and disappointed. If you have to submit grades, hold them until you can trade.

Good luck with this. Let us know what happens.

RED

Songbird · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 1:44 pm Post subject:

I've had to start begging for mine, though granted, I technically don't finish til 30 June. The uni gave me barely 4 more days on my visa after this date, and I'm trying to get paperwork done for my new job. Last year this SAME uni was begging, knocking on my door for the letter from my previous place, but now it's their turn, not so fast with handing it over.

We did have a runner a couple of months ago which is probably the reason, though I generally have a good relationship with them and have told them I have so much work to do (exam wise) before leaving- I'm in the middle of it now, why would I leave halfway through?

In the past I've always been able to get the letter at least a couple of weeks or so out.

xjgirl · Joined: 02 Feb 2010 Posts: 242

yeah, you really gotta be strict about the letter these days, ask for it right after may holiday, explain you need it to apply for jobs which is true

if they dont give it pronto, just stop working until they do, it's no joke- this letter

could end up deciding do you get that dream job

so it's best not to pansy around, go straight for the jugalar

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

They have to give you a letter, it is required of them.

I'd tell them to provide you with a letter or else you will have to contact your embassy for further advise.

Telling them you will go on-line and contact the media might also help.

Lobster · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject:

You could also threaten to punch their lights out. That works sometimes. For a modest sum, you can hire a gang of migrant workers or the local KTV mafia to teach them a lesson. Threaten to call the Japanese embassy, even if you're not Japanese. If you're Canadian, phone your consulate. The consul will come to your school the very next day and demand that you get the letter. Resolving your employment problems is their job after all. If that seems over the top, trying sitting on the floor in the middle of their office and screaming at the top of your lungs. Never under-estimate the power of a good tantrum!. Threaten to kill yourself. Scream "Wo si gei ni kan!" Chinese people love a good drama.

RED

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

I thought getting involved in employment issues was NOT the job of the Canadian or other consulate.
Lobster may have been taking the p*** though.

tianfuoe · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 36

Write your own letter. Take it to them on a flash drive so they don't have to do very much work. All they have to do is use your text and their letterhead paper.

Copy their logo and create your own LOR. Bypass them.

Write a few of them. Get other Chinese teachers to sign them.

This is China! Be creative!

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

which letter?

do you mean a lovely recommendation letter in english?

or the release letter, the form letter in chinese?

Songbird · Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:42 am Post subject:

Letter of Release- the IMPORTANT one!

Everyone except the FAO's boss seems happy to help me out and get it to me. She on the other hand is obviously trying to wield power over me, probably coming from the teacher who bailed.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

you don't want to ASK for these things. if you ask, then the
bureaucrats will have the opportunity to say no. you TELL them
to do it. asking means it be a favor, telling means a responsibility.

be polite. be firm. do the work for them.

download the form. (there's a link on one of the threads)
fill it out yourself. it's very simple. if you don't know chineasy,
get a student to help you. it should take all of five minutes.

the bottom half needs a couple dates and stamps, and someone to
check off in two spots. only holdup would be someone on vacation.

print it off, and give it to your fao. you TELL them here be the
release letter, ya already filled it out for them. they just gotta
get the two stamps. now TELL them you'll be back in xxx days
to pick up the stamped form. and now say thank you and leave.
don't give them any opportunity to argue or you're lost.

Salvatore · Joined: 22 May 2011 Posts: 119

"...they are required by law to provide you a letter of reference/recommendation."

Could someone out there familiar with the law provide a link which says this?

I believe you, but can't seem to find it in the SAFEA suggestions. Thanks.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

From a Chinese friend:

They are required by law to give the letter of completion. They do not have to say he/she was a stellar teacher.

But if the teacher completes a year and the school does not give the paper, the teacher should contact Beijing's Ministry of Education directly, and not the local FAO as they often have strong ties to any given school locally.

It is possible that the school is in fact not legally allowed to hire foreigners, so cannot issue the letter at all.

Songbird · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 8:06 am Post subject:

A certain school I am at in "Guangzhou" (check my previous posts to see which I am talking about) will NOT hand over the letter until you are moving out. Some kind of fancy moving out procedure which I apparently have to visit "many" departments about whatever (funny, when I moved in, it was 1 department= housing!). Then and only after everything it out of my apartment and I've handed in the key am I allowed to get the letter.

Which I needed for my new visa.

Which expires next Tuesday.

Thanks heaps, HC!