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Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

I've worked at two universities in China and they both had holidays with strings attached... make-up classes on the following or preceding weekends. Seems strange at first but you kind of get used to it. At least we are hearing about it more than a week in advance this time, and hey, that's a big improvement!

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randyj · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:28 pm Post subject:

RonHex · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 243

I was prepared to work the next 2 weekends.. 1 because high school exams (i would have mon,tues off) then work next weekend becasue of dragon boat(totally fine with it.. yeah a bit of a pain but nothing new) however one of the other FTs at the school commented on the contract stating we would be paid overtime for work on weekends.. now im looking at a 4day weekend right into a 5day weekend Smile

2 weeks left before summer break and life is looking good Smile

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

This morning I sent a text message to my FAO saying that I would work the sat/sun prior to Dragon Boat. But I also told her that I would hope in the future the school would let me know about schedule abnormalities well in advance. It was the sudden impact of finding out one week prior that I really didn't like.

I also let it be known that this was a favor and that I hoped the favor would be returned. Chinese just expect things to be given freely. ASK NICELY and I will do what I can to help you but.....

Thanks for the feedback.

Happy Dragon Boating!!!!

gene · Joined: 03 Mar 2010 Posts: 187

Optional_Toaster · Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 74 Location: Dong bei

It's funny for me in a sad sort of way because my students told me about it while the administration denies it (it's on the university website). They will, of course, inform me that it is in fact happening sometime around Thursday or Friday I'm sure! I take what my students say with a grain of salt, but they are often more in the know than the teachers.

caleypatrick · Joined: 20 Mar 2010 Posts: 63 Location: Sichuan

I have no problem working the preceding weekend for Monday and Tuesday classes which have been cancelled. Wednesdays are my day off though. Because of the holiday landing on a Wednesday, I just know my university will do the right think and will give me an alternating day off.

Wait, hold on, I don't believe I said that. I just fell of the toilet seat. LOL...really.

El Chupacabra · Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 378 Location: Kwangchow

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

For those of you playing the "working on weekends gets me overtime" card, I'll tell you I said the same thing the first year I was here . . . . all for naught. Yes, in a NORMAL, weekly situation, I would expect to get overtime if the school asked me to come in on the weekend for one reason or another. When two weekdays are being traded for a weekend in order for everyone to get a 3-day "holiday", then these days I don't expect it at all. I'm not being apologetic for schools not telling you these things up front, before contract signing. It's just that sometimes you have to sigh and tell yourself "it's just one weekend out of my life - - I guess I can put up with it and learn from it and ask about these things before I sign my next contract."

SED · Joined: 29 May 2010 Posts: 9

So when a contract says you get "all Chinese holidays off", you actually don't? Ridiculous. So these are fake holidays then?

Von Dut · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 108 Location: Limbo

I had to work this weekend as well. Makes it only a 6 day week for me though. Tuesday I only have 1 class in the morning and then don't have to be back until the following Monday. Then work Monday and Tuesday, no classes for me on Wednesday, work Thursday and Friday and that's it. I am finished for the year. As of this point only 13 more classes.

I knew I was going to have to work the weekend prior to the festival. They didn't tell me until Friday that I have to work Saturday lol. One teacher told me that the weekend would be Wednesday and Thursday classes and another told me it would be Thursday and Friday classes. I don't work Wednesdays so I was hoping for Wed. Thurs. but came in expecting Thurs. Fri.

Gotta love China. They keep forgetting that I can't read Chinese yet when they post the messages and such. I am staying at this school (I have a sweet deal here) so maybe I'll get a little more notice next time. I doubt it but hey, one can dream.

bradley · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 235 Location: China

Moving around the days is one of the more annoying aspects of living and teaching in the PRC. It doesn't seem to bother most Chinese. They only seem to focus on the fact that they receive a three day holiday. I try to point out that it is really just a one day holiday. They don't focus on the negative fact that they are also being tortured by a seven day work week or school week.

lionheartuk · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Guangdong

I've just come off 7 working days stretch and have 4 days off. Back to work on Friday for an 8 day stretch then 3 days off. Only have one class on Monday and Tuesday so it is not a problem. Probably finish my classes for the semester then. I am happy with it so can't complain really as I have had my schedule set out since last September.

LongShiKong · Joined: 28 May 2007 Posts: 1082 Location: China

Too bad for Asians Sakyamuni didn't declare an official day of rest. I still remember when supermarkets got the right to open on Sundays in Canada--sections were completely cordoned off. The theo-cons of the day got them to close again, but not for long.

Anyone know if religion had anything to do with the switch from a 6- to a 5-day work week?