Job Discussion Forums

[ebparsa]

Hi all,
I just wanted to pick your brains on a job offer that I have received.
I have been invited to work at a university about 900 km west of the East Coast. So, not exactly the most developed part of China but obviously cost of living would be lower than let's say Shanghai.

The hours are good and they will provide an apartment on campus, free of charge. So, no rent but then again many other universities offer lodgings too.

Now I have been advised that the salary would be RMB 12,000 / month but I found out later on that they only pay RMB 2,000 / month during summer and winter vacation months. In other words, I will be paid a fraction of my salary for 3 long months.

Am I being greedy to expect that when they offer a 12-month contract the same salary should be paid for 12 months? In Thailand my school would not even think of ripping me off like this.
Is this a common practice in China to pay less during holidays?

Thank you in advance,

[The bear]

[HeidiHector]

Is it a local Chinese university or a Sino-Foreign partnership? I agree with the bear that most Chinese universities don't offer 12-month contracts, but the older, more established partnership schools do.

But you also work during those months since you are paid a full salary for those months and they have classes/admin duties, so I am not sure if this is the case.

If it is a local university, you get paid nine months and then you can teach summer classes if they have them, but most don't, or you can travel.

[ebparsa]

[ebparsa]

[Non Sequitur]

To have the assurance that you will be paid for summer without having to commit to another year, has value.
Under normal circumstances where you did NOT sign and you went to another school, you would have zero pay for the summer holiday of 2 months (July-August).
Leaving aside the actual monthly rate, which I don't find credible for the normal 'max 20 hour' SAFEA deal, you are 2K pm up over summer but 10K pm down over the winter break.
If the quoted monthly rate is legit, then you are streets ahead of the bog standard FT public uni gig.
The other things like class contact hours, office hours, other non-timetabled hours need to be looked at i.e the package.

[jaybet3]

I usually try and negotiate certain parts of the contract. Holiday pay is one of them. If they really want you, they will increase the pay.

Make sure they don't have pro rata clauses such as; you get paid when you start teaching. They can have you show up early for training, but you don't actually get paid until you get into a classroom.

Also make sure you get full pay during normal Chinese Holidays.

Read those contracts closely and don't be afraid to ask for more.

[ebparsa]

[ebparsa]

[Non Sequitur]

I'd say 8-9K pm for 10 months plus airfare and paid Winter, would be about right for that far West.
It's all about package as numerous posters have said - here and on other threads.
OP is missing some big item which would normally be an extra, but for this offer is included in the monthly.
I'd check out the Job Offer Checklist thread.
But hey if you can get it - enjoy!
Best
NS

[getbehindthemule]

Once you establish yourself then you can negotiate a better contract in your second year. I got offered the same contract as last year recently but demanded an extra 1k/month and got it (as I knew that they really wanted me to stay).

[RiverMystic]

So basically you lose 30 000 a year, and the actual salary is a bit over 9000 a month, averaged out.

I am incredibly fortunate in my position. I only teach 30 weeks a year, maybe two weeks of other stuff. I get twenty weeks of holidays on full pay, at quite a clip.

[getbehindthemule]

[Marcos Cisneros]

As the previous posters have stated, most uni's will offer only a ten-month contract the first time around.

Many but not all will cover the five week Spring Festival break entirely. Some will not.

That being said, upon renewal, if one renews, many uni's will offer paid summer holidays or some part thereof, as an inducement to renew.

So the low hours at most uni's, plus free rent, albeit in somewhat spartan accommodations, in addition to free utilities, very decent health insurance, plus decent paid leave, are all, as a previous poster has written, things to consider on a per package basis.

Wish you well with your search. Do enjoy China.

[Non Sequitur]

I am incredibly fortunate in my position. I only teach 30 weeks a year, maybe two weeks of other stuff. I get twenty weeks of holidays on full pay, at quite a clip.

Not so out of the ordinary. The standard semester is 18 weeks.