Job Discussion Forums

goose · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 32

What would you do or what could you do if you completed your contract and your school decided not to pay for your airfare?

I am coming up to the end of my contract and I am starting to worry that my school will not pay for my airfare. It says it in the contract, but I found out last term that one of the teachers didn't get paid his airfare. Yes he completed his contract. Now I have completed all my tasks. Personality wise the foreign affairs office and I do not really get on well. Still my department is happy, the students are happy. The foreign affairs office has even asked me to sign for another term even though they don't like me. I will not be working at this school next term though.

So if I complete the contract, and the school decides to jerk me around is there any possibility that the school could hold my airfare allowance? If they do, what can I do about it?

Keath · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:25 pm Post subject:

Ask them for the reimbursement. We make the schools pay the airfare in the middle of the 2nd semester contract. Some schools actually pay it at the beginning of the second semester.

Just ask them for it in advance; even if they thought you were staying another semester, they should pay you the airfare anyway.

regards,

keith

Super Mario · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 11:29 pm Post subject:

This is a lurk that's been mentioned before. Its usually an FAO looking to line his/her wallet with your airfare. Ask them upfront, in writing, when you'll be getting it. If they are demanding stuff like exam results, hold onto them till you are paid. If you have-as it seems-guanxi with your department head, use that as a last resort. Rant and rage if absolutely necessary. I'm sure the president and his cohort don't want a big fuss.

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

If the school has asked you to sign for another year, use that as your ace in the hole. "yes, I am thinking of signing again, but first I want to see if there is any difficulties getting...(airfare, finishing bonus)". Now is also a good time, to see what they will offer you for another year. Even if you don't plan on sticking around, don't let anyone know until the very end, especially when airfare and bonuses are involved.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You have a perfectly legal right to ask them to show you their licence that entitles them to hire FTs.
Do that now.

Then, their curiosity triggered, you can drop a hint that you need to make sure your contract has been lived up to by both sides up to now.

You should then find out which education bureau is responsible for this school; actually the term "responsibility" doesn't apply but they do have some clout over them albeit in the pyschological massage sense of the word.

Your last resort, I suppose, would be the PSB and/or the Labour BUreau. I have never heard of foreigners alerting the latter but it might make for some new and welcome change to the scenery we have often visited in this matter over the years.

pancakes · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 76

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

Thanks pancake !
Very Happy

goose · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 32

Thanks guys for your advice.

I will address some of your suggestions. Telling them that I am thinking of staying on will not work. They will try and make me sign a new contract now. Going to my department will probably fail as well because they have no say in the foreign teachers, they just receive them and give them a schedule.

Super Mario is probably right if they hold onto the airfare for any reason, its because the director of the foreign affairs office wants to put that money into her pocket.

One ace up my sleeve that I have is, the school doesn't have a good relationship with the local government. Last term there were a few complaints about the school for various reasons. Some of the teachers took the matter to the PSB and the Foreign Expert's Bureau. Because of this the school is in the bad books with the local government. When they tried to apply for the residence permit for two new teachers this term, the PSB didn't believe the school so they asked to see the two foreign teachers personally.

Oh also they are in the process of signing a deal to have a exchange program with a college in the UK.

So thats my ace, if they refuse to pay airfare I inform them that I will email the school they are trying to organise the exchange program with. This will surely damage their reputation. Also I can complain to the local authorities. I think with this threat the director in the foreign affairs office will have to back down and give me the airfare allowance. Also I can also complain to the president of the school.

Although they have said that they will pay the airfare allowance, I just don't trust the director in the foreign affairs office. I was just asking for some advice if the situation arises that I don't receive the airfare. Thanks again.