Job Discussion Forums

[The bear]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd ask for a few opinions on my current situation.

A while a go I accepted a job with a university, after accepting little things started to add up - miscommunication, additional requirements, misunderstandings.

I understand there are a lot of new rules and regulations this year e.g. authenticating degrees. And this is China, so the process isn't always clear, for employers and employees.

I've done everything asked of me - this was after signing a contract, all of which weren't explained to me before - authenticating degree, health check, etc. They sent me the wrong forms, asked me to do the wrong checks - my current employer had to phone them to explain the process. Negotiated with them over my Residency Permit - it expires late September but they wanted me to travel across China, at my expense, to renew before July.

The uni has successfully applied for my FEC, or so they tell me, but there's another niggle with the start date. In the interview, and in emails/wechat messages, I've told them that I cannot start until the 6th of September due to other commitments. They were fine with this. Now they asked me, as classes start on the 29th of August, to try to arrive before then.

So I'm wondering when do you say 'enough is enough'?

[LarssonCrew]

I think one problem may be that they ahve applied and been accepted for your FEC.

I have no idea if that will essentially rule you out of working in China for x amount of years.

Just tell them now you won't go, explain the reasons why, that's important.

[The bear]

[LarssonCrew]

The strange thing is normally when it comes down to it it's not such a big deal starting a week late.

Some schools have this 'must begin on x y z' then you get ther and nothing is organised, or the students have military training or they don't even have their classes issued or most students are still settling in to the beginning of the new year.

I remember once I turned up nad had literally only freshman classes for the first semester. And the first month they were on military training. Spent the month 'planning' my classes and got a months pay for doing nothing. Just ramped up my private classes on the side.

[Non Sequitur]

Don't assume that anyone in the school FAO has any idea of process. Nor do they feel obliged to explain (let alone apologise) for new conditions or changes.
At my last school we happily agreed to a US teacher starting mid Sept. She was scheduled to be bridesmaid for her sister back in the US.
I think the reputational risk is too high to back out.
I've often said that the job that gets you here isn't necessarily the one that keeps you here.
Suck it up. Learn the ropes and in a year if you don't like it move on.

[rioux]

[Mr. Leafy]

[The bear]

[ghost]

As you are a seasoned veteran with a very good track record at a certain university, the university should try to accommodate you, not the other way around, and if the new, prospective university employing you had done their due diligence, they would know this.

Don't back down. You should go there based on your original agreement. If they break their word, then - that is their problem, not yours. You have zillions of other options, although the visa problem is an issue.

It sounds like their organization is appalling, but this is often the case in China. Once you are there - hopefully, if you go there - things will turn out better.

You always have the option of returning to your original starting point university, where you garnered many kudos, if things continue to appear to go pear shaped. Your previous university is very well organized and competent in that regard.

Ghost in China

[The bear]

[7969]

At least you, unlike some others, were able to reach a reasonable compromise without getting nasty about it. I expected your situation would turn out ok in the end.

[ghost]

[Tazz]

I, for one, am getting extremely fed up with the 'now can you send us...' process that is going on. Already signed a contract, jumped through all the hoops required including medical etc. The latest 'now can you send us....' is a full medical exam + authenticated marriage documents for the wife......as I explained long ago to the HRD who keeps asking for these additional documents, my wife isn't accompanying me! This is the same HRD who keeps informing me that the time to process the invitation letter is 'getting tight' as it were. Seems there is total confusion regarding what documents need authenticating/ translating etc.....oh for the simplicity of 10 years ago!

[Wolfsong]

[Wolfsong]