Job Discussion Forums

journeyeast · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:36 pm Post subject: English First; Death and Taxes

After arriving in China and residing here for one month working for an English First Franchise, my Grandmother passed away suddenly. I was raised by my grandfolks, and am required to go home and take care of my grandpa;

I have a 1 semester contract (6 months) I was asked to reimburse EF for the airfare they paid for me to come to CHina and some other visa expenses.

So totally like 5,000 RMB

I came to China via a recruiter.
After notifying them, they set me up with their travel agent who prompty purchased $1200 airfare ticket for me without my credit card or having to pay them up front. They contacted the school and settled everything; I still need top pay the $1200 at some point when I get home..

My question: Would I normally have had to pay the school these costs? In my contract it is quite clear that I am allowed a family emergency for up to 30 days. I felt pretty shitty that the school had asked me to pay money to them especially right after learning about my grandma.

EF Teacher

Norman Bethune · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 731

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I too am sympathetic to you in your particular situation; an emergency such as this happens without notice, of course, so advice has to suit your special circumstances.
First thing:EF are not cheating you. THey have a legitimate right to get a refund, which their recruiter is not legally bound to offer them. Your problem is with the recruiter, and your case highlights the problematic nature of dealings with agents - they have no legal obligations at all. It shows why reliable employers don't need to go through agencies in their recruitment exercises.

You might consider negotiating with EF your future employment. Can't you return after the necessary formalities and family reunions? It would seem that this would be the only way for you to escape these dire financial consequences. There is no legal ground for you to seek redress from your agent!

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

Is it possible that Chinese don't see the death of a mother as being that important ? My mom died this year and I asked for a day off . No one asked me if I wanted to take time off and return to Canada . I didn't get news of it for one week because my phone was disconected by my employer and yahoo was a three days in sending me e-mail from my brother .

journeyeast · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:23 pm Post subject:

On a fair note, the ticket was a last minute fare leaving the next day on a flight that was already full. I'm just trying to see all the angles from this scenario. I'm not bitter with the recruiter at all, I didnt have the cash to purchase the airfare and they set everything up for me though an independant agent, all within a few hours of learning about my problem.

Also, the TravelEx travel insurance they required me to purchase before I came out should cover the bereavement flight, and they are settling the things with the school about replacing me and covering any additional costs.

I know alot of people have had bad expereinces with recruiters, many dont like recruiters - and I wont say which one I went through to aviod bias but in this case I am really glad that I did go through one.

I'm just upset at the school because like someone here already mentioned, the situation should be handled through the recruiter and the school, so why should the school try to bilk me for some cash?

PS> The contract they set me up with was not a standard EF contract, we were provided a contract designed by the recruiting agent - EF contracts have probationary periods of up to three months and we were advised for our own protection not to accept a contract having probabtion under any circumstances.

Anyway, I'm home safetly and I'd like to return someday. Thanks for all the advice.