Job Discussion Forums

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

My contract ends in February 2019 and I am not sure if I want to renew for another whole year. They will start asking around November 2018. However, I do want to stay in China, but want to leave my options open for a new job in September 2019 rather than be stuck on a contract with this school. I was thinking of asking them for a 6 month contract form Feb-July (I will have worked there for 2 years by the end of my current contract ) but don’t know if this is possible. Has anyone done this, or is it a case of ask and see?

nimadecaomei · Joined: 22 Sep 2016 Posts: 605

Nobody can really help here. You might want to be nice an say I want to go because x is causing problem y or something like that.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Yes, I know that. I was just wondering if institutions ever do this, so was hoping to hear from someone who has successfully or unsuccessfully negotiated a shorted contract renewal.

Either way, I know I’ll just have to ask and see what they say when the time comes.

Elicit · Joined: 12 May 2010 Posts: 244

Could be a win-win. For both the employer and yourself finding a replacement and for the teacher finding a job are probably easier at the end of the academic year. Also, 2 years service is a reasonable amount of time to spend with an employer, in this game, for them to be perhaps more flexible.

Both of my jobs when I started work at times other than the beginning of a new academic year offered a slightly longer contract to have me working until the end of the school year. Surprised the school didn’t do that in the first place.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Thanks! I hadn’t thought it from their point of view. When I approach them I will emphasize the advantages for them..

Yeah, it’s a pity they didn’t give me a year and half from the beginning. I didn’t think to ask at the time.

kev20 · Joined: 31 Jul 2013 Posts: 114

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

That makes sense..however, I'm reluctant to do that in case another position comes up in the winter!

Blistering Zanazilz · Joined: 06 Jan 2018 Posts: 180

The chances of another position coming open in winter are a lot less than in summer!

eternalw · Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 10

If you have been them for two years. Wouldn’t it be understandable to say you want to experience other areas, for example.?
The main problem I read about was that infamous letter of release you need to obtain? Maybe someone else with more experience can elaborate more. At the moment, my knowledge is more theoretical than practical...