Job Discussion Forums

[mandersblue]

I'm worried about the signing of a contract. Twice now, I've received "general contracts" from schools saying this is the basic idea, we'll fill in the blanks later. I am very nervous about this sort of thing. Shouldn't the contract they email me clearly state everything from the very start? When they email me a contract, what should I expect from it? How do I get the actual contract, not just some preliminary agreement?? Help!

[Ludwig]

'Mandersblue', your post demonstrates that you have instincts; if I were you I would listen to them and draw your own conclusions as to what may possibly constitute 'filling in the blanks later'.

The problem is that the 'blanks' to which you refer could be filled with information pertaining to and drawn from a whole a sm�rgasbord of possibilities. In the future, (read, 'after touch down'), they could have information regarding hours, responsibilities, pay, location, or holidays inserted into them.

[Diletante]

Getting specifics out of Chinese people is very difficult. Contracts don't mean the same to them as they do to most westerners. You are very unlikely to get a contract that details all the specific information that you are looking for before you show up in person. Even then your final contract is likely to be a lot more vague than one you might be accustomed to. Not a whole lot you can do about it. Try gently suggesting that you would be a lot less nervous if they could explain some specifics to you.

[peggiescott]

Hi There,

I spite of all the dire warnings I read here on Dave's I got a very specific contract and my school has honored each point that has come up. But I will say that I think I have been very fortunate to have stumbled into this school. I want through a recruiter and knew nothing about teaching in China. I did request some changes on the contract and they agreed to some of them, but not all.

Run a search. There was a fairly comprehensive list of suggestions on the board a while ago. Number of hours, pay rate, overtime pay, is overtime optional, payday, will you be paid for the summer, will you receive a travel allowance, will you be reimbursed for your airfare and when.

If they send you a blank contract just fill it in for them. Either it will fly or they'll change it.

Good luck,
Peggie