Job Discussion Forums

applied linguist · Joined: 23 May 2017 Posts: 13

Does a 3rd country national need his diploma apostilled to work at a Slovak university?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Probably not, but if you have a job offer obviously they are going to tell you for sure. Such gigs are relatively uncommon.

applied linguist · Joined: 23 May 2017 Posts: 13

The university does not know and expects me to figure it out. The Slovak Office of Labor's website has this (machine translation):

"...necessary to prove the relevant professional competence by documenting the relevant documents."

So I need some advice from a TCN working in Slovakia with a temporary-stay permit. Did you need your diploma apostilled?

Kofola · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 159 Location: Slovakia

I realise that this is a bit late and you have probably already sorted things out. But just to provide some sort of a response for others in future.

Just for the record it is impossible to answer your question without knowing what kind of contract you are on and on what basis you were or will be awarded temporary residence.

I have a lot of (non-teaching) contact with universities and have never been fobbed off when asking for information about questions regarding legalities. Quite the opposite. This would raise alarm bells about the employer for me.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The university in Slovakia could find an answer to the question IF THEY WANTED TO. Surely there is a Law Faculty and the HRD have contacts with lawyers and with the Ministry of Interior.

applied linguist · Joined: 23 May 2017 Posts: 13

Thanks for the help. I went ahead and got the apostille, just in case. Here's another question. I am being offered a one-year contract, but there is a good possibility I will leave after a semester. I mentioned this to the employer, and he said no problem. Maybe not as far as he is concerned at the moment, but does anybody know whether EU countries have something similar to the Middle East, where an employer or a ministry is able to block your change of sponsorship, future employment, etc., for not completing a contract?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I don't know of any way they can create any record for the region. However, I also don't know why they would have any interest in a teacher for only a semester (unless it's to cover for someone temporarily away) - it's not even sufficient time to get minimally oriented.

applied linguist · Joined: 23 May 2017 Posts: 13

Anybody here actually know anything?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

No, there is no European system similar to that in the Middle East through which your future employment can be blocked.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There may be informal networks. What is to stop the interested employer using his "connections" to phone your original employer and ask for the lowdown on the lecturer who "deserted his post" ?.

However, there is no formal system anywhere in Europe (EU or non_EU) which would allow an employer to put a stop on your employment.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 6:16 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In a small country like Slovakia there are links through informal networks that outsiders cannot hope to access or even understand. The Rector or other administrator can pick up the phone and speak to some buddy he knew at school or someone he did Military Service with. If these guys cannot answer your simple questions. walk away.