Job Discussion Forums

[Big_H]

Hi everyone,

I've been recently offered a contract from a school in Shanghai starting this Feb., this would be my first time to teach in a school in China. I've tried searching the other forum threads for help first before making this one. The offer overall seems ok, but I wanted to get a perspective of how it -loosely- compares to what most Chinese schools offered if you'll indulge me for a moment.
I was wondering where schools normally stand on..:

- Airfare expenses: mine is offering up to 4000RMB
- Inland traveling expenses coverage: My duties involve traveling between several schools and companies
- Ambiguous wording of tax inclusion/exclusion in the basic salary: The only explicit mention of taxes is made when listing the bonuses- where taxes will not be included. I'll take it up to them before signing anyway, but having an idea beforehand never hurts. My question is are taxes' inclusion/exclusion normally mentioned in your contract
- "Mandatory medical checks" coverage: I understand that these checks are required by the Chinese Labor authorities. I was told during the interview that the school would be paying for all of them, but I don't find any mention of it in their offer.
- Insurance coverage

Thanks in advance!

Big_H
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@BleedingBlue:
I really wish that any of your opinions that you had posted in the other threads were of any added value or worth respecting; since that's not the case, keep in mind that any posts you make here will be be gleefully glossed over and intentionally ignored.

[kungfuman]

If it's not in the contract don't count on that clause existing in the future.

A job asking you to commute between schools in Shanghai means you will work 50 hours a week and be paid for 20 hours a week. Commuting in Shanghai is horrid as long distances are required and you will typically use the subway. The Shanghai subway is overcrowded and humongous. Shanghai agents typically won't pay much towards your transport. Expect a token amount while you pay the rest.

Housing? Shanghai is expensive. Even if they give you 4000 y a month it is difficult to find a decent place to live. When I interviewed with a "school" similar to what you said the girl said they know it isn't enough to cover the rent and I would be expected to share a room with others.

4000 y for airfare won't buy you a one-way ticket to China unless you are in a neighboring country.

You will have to pay taxes assuming you. will be working legally. Even if you don't have a valid working visa many places will take and taxes - and keep them.

Seriously rethink the having to jump from school to school every day. Gets old quit and the burnout rate is high.

[Guerciotti]

If your salary is not explicitly deemed 'after tax' or 'net of taxes', then it is a gross salary, subject to tax.
Just my opinion based on experience.

[BleedingBlue]

You and you alone are responsible for asking something be or not be included in the contract. if they "promise' you something, then there should be no issue of putting it in writing .... "trust us" is not good enough. If that's the response, then move on. It's that simple, otherwise it's YOUR responsibility when then try to deny something later. This has nothing to do with China - this is entirely a contract law, common sense issue. Same issue in America - get it on the record (c.y.a.)!

[buravirgil]

What "schools" offer is too vague. A corporate language school versus public schools versus kindergartens versus a university position. It's a broad and diverse market.

[Bud Powell]

- Airfare expenses: mine is offering up to 4000RMB

- Inland traveling expenses coverage: My duties involve traveling between several schools and companies


Unless the pay is in the range of 25,000rmb per month (or considerably more), I'd walk away from it. The two conditions I cited above would turn me off. Shanghai is expensive.

Kungfuman and Guerciotti pretty much hit it on the head.

[Big_H]

Thanks for all the input.

I appreciate the advise to avoid traffic and the masses at the subway as I've worked in Cairo, Egypt(pop. 20M+) for a while. I realize how taxing it can be on one's mental health when concepts like personal space and hygiene are lost causes and persistent shoving is the way of life and you have face it on a daily basis. Though after a while, that experience left me a bit thick-skinned.
I have an international drivers license, so I might consider renting a motorbike or a vespa.

Accommodation-wise I should be good, the offer is for a single basically-furnished apt. for around 2k RMB or less if I move into a shared apartment. They would otherwise "assist" in finding one.
Will see how they respond to my questions.

[RW8677]

- Airfare expenses: mine is offering up to 4000RMb

Can you get a return for 4000? Otherwise you are paying your own money for the privilege of working for them - screw that

- Inland traveling expenses coverage: My duties involve traveling between several schools and companies

No. Just no.

[Non Sequitur]

OP are you confusing the internal travel allowance with the international airfare allowance?
I haven't seen a 4000RMB international allowance before and I feel if they're
chiseling to that degree, it won't be the only thing.

[Shanghai Noon]

It all depends on what they mean by "several." I commute between two and that works well. It gives me an opportunity to take a mid-day walk on company time. Also if you commute, the schools might treat you as a part-time worker and not demand paperwork.

Avoid line 6 of the Shanghai Metro. It's terrible. It runs at capacity all throughout the day. Line 16 and the Jinshan Railway are the most pleasant. Seats are easy to come by, and they offer interesting views of the city, but they both go to the middle of nowhere. The others are somewhere in-between, but don't ever bet on getting a seat unless you embark at a terminus station.

4,000 can buy you a one-way ticket to Shanghai ONLY if you live in a major city on the North American west coast, and you might have to go on either China Eastern or Air China. I went from Vancouver to Shanghai for a total of $606.

[kungfuman]

[asiannationmc]

China never signed the treaty that would have allowed international D.L., V.Nam just started. There is a way to get a temp D.L.

[True Blue]

I suggest you take notes when you talk on the phone with the FAO and then take all the things they "assured" you of in emails and make sure they are all specified in your written contract. If it not spelled out clearly in black and white, they will "not recall" ever discussing it with you when you have a "misunderstanding" a few weeks down the road. If you make a stink about it you will be reminded that "you misunderstood". Then if you mention it again, they will find a way to punish you - maybe with split shifts or making you pass out flyers in some mall. So get that contract right now - or you'll be sorry later.

[asiannationmc]

[nashboroguy]

Contracts are tricky. Especially your first one. Read every line carefully. If it sounds ambiguous, ask them to make it clear. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!!!!. Do not accept the word of a Chinese person. Contracts are not very binding here in China. But, it is better than word of mouth. If they are not willing to change the wording in a contract. Or add an addendum, you might want to be overly cautious with the company or school. The contract should not only address school issues, but your living arrangements, end of contract requirements, uncompleted contract fines, taxes, and anything else you can think of. Dot you "Is" and cross your "Ts". This is your life, not their life. You will have to live with the contract for the term of the contract. Get the most you can from it.