Job Discussion Forums

[Villain]

So I'm in the process of moving to a new job in Sichuan province. I currently work in Shandong province.

The new school asked me to send them my passport in the post. I believe this is so they can apply for the residence permit or something. Photocopies are not good enough and they apparently double checked with local government.

I told them I wasn't really comfortable sending my passport in the post which they said is understandable. I offered to fly down with my passport and visit for a few days and they were fine with this also.

Just want to know what the script is here? Is this a thing in Sichuan province? New rules? I have no reason to believe the school is dodgy or anything.

[Non Sequitur]

You gave up your passport when you arrived so the FAO could get your residence processed. Why should it be any different now apart from the different locales? We are into holiday season and also there will be an expiry date on your current permit.
The new school is your only ally in the transfer process, so be compliant with reasonable security.
You don't mention track courier.

[hz88]

Your new school should not be asking you to send them your original passport.

If as you say they are needing it for your resident permit renewal, then you need to be present in person at the time of submission to the PSB. It will then be kept for up to three weeks while this is processed. I would clarify with them exactly what it is they need it for. If it is indeed for this purpose then the passport itself will not be accepted. You need to be physically present at the time for photographs and in some provinces fingerprints.

Depending on whether they are still following the previous system or using the new one could be part of the problem. In addition, possibly they are trying to get things wrapped up before the end of the school year.

If you are willing to go there personally and accept that you may not return to your current location with your passport (ask for the official PSB receipt which can be used in lieu of it for travel and hotels etc) then that should be okay but I would strongly advise against sending your passport anywhere for obvious reasons.

[Non Sequitur]

Your FAO manages the PSB end and I've never been asked to go along in person.
Take a photo copy of photo and current residence pages and produce these if asked.

[hz88]

I've been in China 9 years, and when I first started in Chengdu, we had to go there for every renewal. In fact I have had to go every year since.

It may be that some regions do not need this but it is becoming few and far between. A colleague in Sichuan only last week had to go through this.

I still maintain what I say, be very wary of sending passports anywhere unless you are absolutely sure of the need. Tracked delivery or not, the potential risk for loss and subsequent headache dealing with the replacement is not worth it.

[The bear]

I never went to the PSB my first employer years in China, simply gave my FAO my passport and he did everything.

Same for the second employer, simply gave it to the FAO and they handled it.

Now for my third employer I had to go myself.

Like most things in China there's no telling until you have to do it yourself.

[nimadecaomei]

I only went the first year and have not been needed the last 8. What stage you are at in the process would shed a lot of light and get better answers.

[Villain]

Ok, it gets better.

My current headteacher asked me to do them a favour and stay for an extra six weeks. This is understandable since they have been having trouble with foreign teachers letting them down and they have summer classes coming up.

So I agreed to do the six weeks as long as the new school was ok with it (and I got a higher monthly salary).

Next thing I know, the headteacher takes me into her office and complains that the HR person from the new school is being difficult because "they don't want to spend any money on you". She's trying to cut a deal with them for the transfer. She wants 6,000RMB. If they don't come to an agreement then, oh well, they'll just have to do your whole z-visa from scratch.

I've never heard of anything like this before. It's not like I'm being bought out of my contract - I will have served my 3 months notice PLUS an extra six weeks as a FAVOUR.

So....what the hell? Is it standard practice in China to demand payment when transferring a teacher to a new school? Is it legal (and does that make any difference)?

[Non Sequitur]

[JeremyDay]

I get the feeling that training schools are having a more and more difficult time finding new recruits. The 6000 grift really is an indication of what kind of people that you are working for.

It's not like these favors build any type of goodwill that can be drawn upon in the future. Perhaps at a different type of institution. I'd be pretty livid if my school complained to me that their extortion of money from my new school didn't go well.

You should probably return the favor by spreading word of their questionable practices... at least once you are clear of their influence.

[JeremyDay]

I don't see why you couldn't agree to the additional 6 weeks dependent upon their cooperation with your new employers.

[hz88]

I have come across similar instances, albeit not as blatant. We as a school have been on the receiving end of requests for 'gifts' to expedite the process but not to the scale you mentioned.

As for the legalities, well I think you know the answer to that. It is a fact of Chinese culture that this is seen as the way to do things.

I'm not sure what you can actually do about it. I would be livid if I was in your situation. They are asking to be paid for something which they should legally provide you with for free. Your recourse is to go to the Foreign Experts Bureau but I am doubtful you would get much joy there.

Perhaps you could make it politely known to them that you know your new school should not be paying for these documents and if you mention that you are contemplating contacting the Foreign Experts Bureau, then they may realise you know more than they think.

As for working the six weeks. I would not even consider it under the circumstances.

This kind of behaviour is unfortunately much associated with the training centre market so I am hazarding a guess that is where you are currently working. Public schools and Universities would not dare the reprisals from these shenanigans. It is, I am afraid a current endemic fault of the system as it is, employers can effectively hold you hostage knowing if they don't give you the documents you need or string it out as long as possible they have nothing to lose.

You can either play the long game or subtly show your knowledge based on what I said. Either way it is going to not be an easy ride.

[Villain]