Job Discussion Forums

[Aristotle]

Caveat emptor
The axiom or principle in commerce that the buyer alone is responsible for assessing the quality of a purchase before buying.

That term does not necessarily apply to teaching in Taiwan. You have to work at least one month before you get paid for the first day. That is a minimum of one months pay you have trust your employer with. Being a foreigner means you have little to no means of seeking reenumeration for lost wages. You will be barred from rennetry if you work legally (unofficial deportation) or officially deported if you work illegally even if you were unaware of that fact.
What it comes down to is that your boss doesn't have to pay you if they don't want to. Give them even the smallest excuse or none at all and they keep your pay. It happens everyday in Taiwan.
As a consumer you have the choice of not buying the product. As a teacher that choice does not exist. The only choice you have is who to work for or not to.
Taiwan is not a country that values honesty, integrity, professionalism etc.. The only thing of any value to the people on Taiwan is money. If they have your money don't expect them to give it to you if they don't have to.
Be careful and do your homework, that is the best way to stay out of trouble. Always assume your employer is a lying cheating thief until they have paid you all the pay they owe you. Consider yourself lucky if you get paid at all.

[TaoyuanSteve]

To clarify, Aristotle, I used the term "caveat emptor" loosely to mean that one is responsible for oneself in the marketplace, be that the marketplace of goods or the marketplace of labor. The action of securing employment with a company is analogous to "buying" something, therefore a term such as "buyer beware" suitably applies in this situation as well. I hope that explains my diction a little...

I would agree with you that there are rip-offs here in Taiwan, certainly more than in the west. However, I disagree with your somewhat jaded view of Taiwan. I don't think every school would rip you off given half a chance. I don't think every Taiwanese businessman is innately crooked. Perhaps your experience has been somewhat different than mine. I respect that.

However, I also notice that, as much as you dump on the place, you still live here. Why is that? Perhaps it is not as bad as you say? I think the consensus in this thread is that Taiwan is more boring than harmful. I don't fear gangs of KMT thugs, gangsters or the management at my school. Honestly, Aristotle, I appreciate that you have a point of view and I respect it. However, respect that I have a point of view, as well, and it differs from yours. I see no need to dissuade prospective teachers from coming to Taiwan. This isn't the west, for sure. They'll need to keep their guard up a little and get good advice. They'll need to practice a little "caveat emptor." But this isn't a bad place after all. I don't agree with your low opinion of Taiwan, Aristotle.

[matchstick_man]

What Taoyuan said about visa runs is accurate. I never did one in three years in Taiwan.

[jason_seeburn]

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