Job Discussion Forums

[eslLori]

This is a normal university that still refuses to change. It is run on the "Boss Tweed" style of capitalism-that is it's all about the money, not the students education.
They will not honour your contract, help you, tell you anything in writing-at best everything is "ex post facto".
The VSO and Peace Corps has pulled out, and now the school will do and say anything, only to lie later.
We are highly educated in Education and qualified, but face is more important than heart here.

[tofuman]

Sounds interesting, Lori. We need more information,more specifics, names, places....

[eslLori]

This is a normal university in Gansu-province. Mr Ma is the FOREIGN EXCHANGE OFFICER,his helper is Linda/Ms sun. There are some foreigners here but half will be leaving soon. They are showing us a phoney contract,again, as they pulled this back in Feb too. So now they haven't paid us, but still want the grade books for the semester. They aren't getting squat unless we get [aid. The FEM is in Lanzhou,but I don't trust them either. after teaching writing, methodology, real speaking and running the English corner, thet dept. thinks they have lost face because the students have learned something for once. The staff and admin have but a normal univ.degree themselves, so...
If one wants to be a talking head and thats it, hey-go for it. Just bring along the K-Y...

[tofuman]

Good move on holding the grades back. Good luck!

[Mac]

I am teaching at a college in Leshan like the one you are describing. I agree with you 100% that hold back the grades it is the only weapon you have to fight against them. I will do the same here if my final salary and bonus is not paid to me. My contract ends this thursday. We shall see what will happen. Believe me they will pay you your salary if they know you will not give them your students grades!

[tw]

You can withold the grades all you want but believe me, it won't do much good. When I first started working at my last school, I was introduced to two of the former employees. They were an Australian couple back home and pissed off at the school for allgedly not honoring the contract by paying for shipping costs of posessions. They went as far as threatening to lodge a complaint with the Chinese premier. Anyways, they also witheld the students' marks but guess what? The students still got marks for their oral English class for that term. The lesson here: Chinese schools will just make up marks. So don't kid yourself into thinking that witholding marks would do you a lot of good.

[Roger]

Tianshui is not too9 far from Xi'an, right?

So here is a probable tactic your boss can employ: skip into town (is there a McDonald's?), get a couple of laowai tourists a bit drunk or full of burgers, then have them put their names on those student lists (they don't need to see the names of those students), "and yes, we are friends now, so please, just your name and your email address so we can keep in touch..."

I honestly wish you good luck in getting your dues!

[sigmoid]

Do you think you could help me get a job there? I really want to work in China.

[gulam2]

I really sympathise with you.
Three times in China I have not been paid what I should have been paid.
The last time I was not paid a months salary (there were 8 teachers involved) and sacked without cause. This was a company masnaged by a Canadian. ENGLISH WORLD CLUB - Tongliao.
Unfortuneately there are so many enethical people in this business.
It is, in fact, really sad - if as I do, you beleive in education.
I moved from management to Education about ten years ago.
I love the teaching, even when its tough.
But the bullies that you and I refer to really are an evil stain on the Industry.
Try CHETA (Chinese English Teachers Association) they may be able to help you.
Also www.teflchina.com (mentors list)
www.nathanschinaschoolsreview.com.
If there is anything you would like me to do to help you - please ask and I will try.
[email protected]

[tofuman]

Threatening to withhold the student's grades worked quite well for me. I was getting the run around from the FAO about my air travel reimbursement. My contract expires after the school term ends. The contract says I shall be repaid upon completion of the contract.

I simply told the FAO that I don't trust the school to pay me and that I will not give the students their marks unless I am reimbursed first. I was apologetic about it but said that that's the way it has to be. "You set the tone of our relationship."

He immediately called his superior and I received my money the next day.

[Brian Caulfield]

What works in south korea for the Catholics in charge of immigrants who are abused or not paid is the threat of having you deported . The Chinese government would prefer to have your employer pay your dues than to have to pay your return passage .

[sinolandMEd]

Universities are gov funded and they don't want the provincial Ed folks looking into their little corner of the province. They don't want to risk something that would cost them more than paying one-off and getting rid of their problem. And with only two weeks left, they don't want to give exams all over again-with a test that students haven't seen-thereby creating lower marks for the school to present to the ministry.
You go girl...

[eslLori]

well, no pay,no grades- worked. they payed half and we get to stay through the month. Its still corrupt as heck... if your an Auzzie recruited for Tianshui Normal University-stop and think !

[cj750]

When dealin with the last nego about salary..grades have little real value...material value is what you can deal with..dont withhold the grade..with hold materials such as books that cannot be easly replaced and better yet if you hold on to one that is subject to inventory control...as the mid level has to answer for stock missing...they are more modivated to dealing....never threaten..istead sujest a meeting to return materials and offer that you can pick up money owed at the same time...

[tofuman]

Lori,

Took a lot of courage to pull that stunt with the grades.

Gongxi