Job Discussion Forums

ymmv · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 387

I'm currently in Beijing which is tightening up the age requirements. It used to be here that they wouldn't hire you if you were over 60, but you got hired by a uni before 60, you could stay until you were 65 (assuming the school renewed you each year. That was what I was told at my last 4 universities (3 in Beijing and one in Zhejiang). I hit 61 next year, and my current university in Beijing wants me to continue next year, but the FAO already told my department, that although they were able to get a one year exception for this year, it may not happen again. So I may have to leave Beijing for another province that doesn't strictly enforce the age 60 or even 65 age limit. I know of a school in Gansu that has a 67 year old teacher, so that's a possibility. I know a Chinese teacher at a school in Nanning, Guangxi and her school does exactly what I prefer to do. I'm sure she could get her school to hire me if I asked. But before I ask her, I'd like to know if her school's FAO might run into headwinds based on age. Foreign Language Depts. and FAOs are two separate offices in universities here in China. Generally, the Foreign Language Office makes the decision on who to hire and it's up to the FAO to do the paperwork. I don't want to put her or the FAO in the position of hiring me, only to have her recommendation bounced.

So.... anyone in Nanning and anyone know if the province has age limits? I don't need advice on this particular school, it's solid and she's solid.

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

I would just like to add that I have "seen" with the new A,B,C classification system that went into effect November 1st, that age is not supposed to a disqualifying factor anymore, just one factor for the rating. As Beijing is one of the ten pilot jurisdictions, you may want to research this further.

I know that the August 1st changes in Guangdong (which Guanxi is part of?) specifically did away with age limits.

The bear · Joined: 16 Aug 2015 Posts: 483

jimpellow · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 913

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Plenty of over 60's down here in Guangxi for sure.....legally hired, it would seem, as well...

Neilhrd · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 233 Location: Nanning, China

Officially Guangxi enforces the over 60 rule. I retired last Christmas after reaching 60. I was working in a private language school where I had been for 6 years. The DOS wanted to keep me and said they could pull strings. But the HR people were evasive about it and several other foreigners I know were given the same drill you got from your university in Beijing. The school was stuck in a rut and Nanning is getting very expensive and more and more like a rat race, so I decided not to risk it.

Basically if you are already established in Guangxi and have kept your nose clean, some schools may be able to keep you. For someone entering the province for the first time, or changing schools after 60, there is no chance legally. However there are plenty of oldies working part time on marriage visas or F visas and there is plenty of casual work tutoring from home, although getting paid can be a hassle if you don't have a well connected Chinese wife.