Job Discussion Forums

voodikon · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1363 Location: chengdu

ok, here's my situation. i've been working at this part-time job since the beginning of last term. although i hate waking up at 7 on saturday mornings, the pay is pretty good, and the students are tolerable, although i could have, at any given class, between four and forty students, and i'll never know how many ahead of time. yet i've been told not to take attendance, and it's pretty clear they don't really care what i'm doing other than being a lao wai. at first i was doing it just to save up extra extra money for traveling or unforeseen whatever. by the end of last term, i figured they weren't going to call me back as i'd shown up an hour late one time (though they said, "it doesn't matter"), and the class size seemed to be dwindling.

but lo and behold, about two days before the term started, they called me up and said they wanted me to continue. they sent me a schedule of the dates classes were to be held for the semester, and i somewhat reluctantly dragged myself to class the first two times. what was supposed to be the third saturday wasn't listed as a date there was class, so i (foolishly) called to confirm. they told me that "oops, there was a mistake" and i was indeed supposed to show up, but that the next weekend--that's this saturday--there wouldn't be class. disgruntled with the situation and with a huge sleep deficit, i managed to stay in bed the whole morning last saturday, skipping out on class. i assumed that meant i'd effectively resigned. however, i JUST received a call--and believe me, i considered not picking up, as i thought they were going to ask why i hadn't shown up last week--telling me, "oh, there IS actually class this saturday." kind of thrown for a loop, i said, well, since you'd told me there wasn't before, i've made other plans. so can you cancel the class? no, that can't be done. "well, it's kind of last-minute, you know," i protested. silence. "okaaaay, well, i'll see what i can do and get back to you," i said.

so now i'm kind of at a loss. i really don't think i want to do this job any more. and i KNOW i don't want to show up saturday morning as i know the kids will certainly ask where i was, even if the powers-that-be don't seem to know--or care--that i was gone. how do i back out of this gracefully, or should i even bother? should i just a) not call back; b) tell them i'm coming and not show up again; c) simply tell them i don't want to do the job anymore?

i feel kind of bad about this whole situation as i've never been one to quit a job like this, but geez. i can't say i've ever had a job that behaves like this, either.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

It's not the best idea to just bail on a commitment. Finding a replacemnt would save face for both you and your employer. Do you know anyone who might like to take your place? If you can't fiind a replacemnt I suggest you tell them you can not do the job anymore. You don't have to tell them why. Give them at least a week to find a replacement. So, I am saying you should probably go at least one more time.

tofuman · Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 937

Flaky, irresponsible behaviour on your part. Resign, or better yet, have them hire me so I can fire your beep.

journeyeast · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:27 pm Post subject:

You are in China.. It gets better.. But you need to draw a line in the sand (politely and respectfully) The grass is not going to be greener someplace else. Have a sit down with the school and tell them what is acceptable and what is not (According to the terms of the contract that you signed)

This is a cultural ambiguity that persists across so many venues in China, and it is extreemely frustrating, but it is actualy quite normal and to be expected (most folks who have lived in China 6 months can share far worse last minute scheduling stories along with the guilt tripping that follows them.)

Get a clear schedule on print and agreed to, then show up for class.. If they do a last minute, "hey you gotta be here" scenario.. Then tell them you want to get paid immediately afterwards or before, (If you suspect that reimbursement at the end of the month will be problematic) or make sure that they understand in advance that any ad hoc schedule modifications that put you above your scheduled workload will incure overtime fees.. If it is not at your school but at some venue that they provided.. Then make sure you are paid at the end of your teaching periods on that same day.. The school surely has been..

Dont fall asleep and not show up for a class though.. Thats just really bad.. And the schools will usually reciprocate the unkindness in a very unexpected way at a wholley inconvient timing of their choosing..

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

I would just tell them that there's been too much communications problems and you really need something a little more stable and an employer that can shoot straight with you without changing their minds all the time.

voodikon · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1363 Location: chengdu

i guess i should have made clear that there's no contract, and for me, this is only a secondary job. and tofuman, if you want it, it's yours for the taking. though i don't see how that would put you in a position to fire me.

cj750 · Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing

One of the way you can get out of it..is rase you price till either you want to go or they don't want you to go. Just play a Diva and demand more cash on the spot...it will be fun and you will be susprised at the reaction.

You have no obligation to them and it is your choice.(what you were asking for was idea..not lectures)...verbal agreements in China can be broken (at the last moment)as they are not considered binding.

burnsie · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 489 Location: Beijing

I have a couple of these funny little jobs over the last 6 months.

I have weekend work at two small schools which is VIP and not regular and no contract. The plus is it's very close to my home - 10 minutes walking and gives a little extra cash.

What I did early on was offer a lower rate then they depend on me for their bad management ( Laughing

) but then I upped the hourly rate by 30-50% (depending on the job).

It cut out some of the classes but it also kept the good earning classes which motivates you more!! Shocked

Suggestion

Go back and up the hourly rate. Tell them you can command this from other schools. If you get the extra work, great! Extra cash. If you don't, sleep in on the Saturday's!!

Otherwise just politely refuse.