Job Discussion Forums

liebkuchen · Joined: 21 Oct 2011 Posts: 25 Location: China

Hi, working at a uni in Shandong now for almost 5 months. Things going well, no real problems.

Now, the 15th of Jan being the Spring Festival payday, I was expecting my 150rmb travel money as I know the uni's happy with my performance. But when I mentioned it to a fellow ft, he said he hadn't got it and it wasn't on our contract. Looking back, yes, it was in the email about the job and the contract I was sent in the Uk and had to sign, scan and send back. But looking at the copy of the contract appendix which was also signed by the head of department, the mention of the travel money is absent. Hmmmph.

So, this is a salutatory warning not to get transfixed on checking that you get your stated salary and your airfare- don't forget about the holiday money.

If anyone can suggest how to try and wiggle this, it would be great but really this is a costly mistake of my own doing I thought I should highlight to others.

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

What's the RMB150 travel money for? I'm familiar with the RMB2200 annual travel bonus that is paid, usually half in one term and the other half at the end of the contract. Is your school giving you that travel bonus on a monthly basis?

If you aren't getting the travel money and it was in the first contract/appendix you signed, then bring it up with your FAO now or after the holiday is over. Did you sign a second contract/appendix after arrival at the school? Did you read it to ensure it was the same as the previous one? When you do bring this up with your FAO try to have a copy of that first document you signed on hand to better make your point.

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

I imagine he meant 1500.

Either way, yes....you have to be quite careful when signing any contract of course. It is not very difficult for a school to show you one contract and give you another upon arrival. Also, be careful about poorly worded English in any appendix. If something is not crystal clear, do not sign.

If the school has not given you any trouble before then discuss it with the FAO as mentioned by 7969. It is possible it was simply an oversight or a case of the right hand not talking to the left. Or possibly, you just got scammed out of 1500. Nobody can know this until you politely discuss it with the powers that be. Advice: Do not get angry. You seem even keeled from your post so just remain that way.

Good luck and keep us posted on how this works out for you.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Nothing you can do. Nothing you can do even if something is totally 100% clear in the contract and they decide not to honor it. Just the way it is, might as well get used to it.

liebkuchen · Joined: 21 Oct 2011 Posts: 25 Location: China

You're right. Should have typed 1500rmb. On the original contract it had it for the end of every semester so if its not happening, I'm down 3000rmb.

Our FAO's a solid bloke and is genuinely good at his job and very helpful. I might first check with our 'old hand' ft who's been here a year already and see what's happened about it in the past then ask the FAO politely once he's back from the hols.

Rest of the contract's been absolutely fine so there are good uni's/FAOs out there for the doubters!