Job Discussion Forums

[drumbeat]

I worked for a Canadian school that paid us over 12 months. I have some questions about this kind of contract- it is vague of course in the contract and it seems our rights are not the same as in Canada even though we paid tax on the salary: here is what I asked the previous agent of the school:
I did not get paid half of my year salary even though I worked half of my assignment. (I had to quit this job early because of a health issue) It was not clear in the contract and I wonder if you can clarify why we were paid over 12 months. This is a problem /concern for many of us- what happens if we quit to our pay in the summer. Do you know the intention of Canadian offshore schools for paying over 12 months?
They paid others this (summer) held pay even though they did not re-sign last year, but they are inconsistent about how they handle this. When they would not pay me what they withheld from me they said it was because I did not work the few days in July that we are supposed to - that is why they pay for 12 months. We also work a few days in August but they never paid us the first year that we worked a few days in August.
So this became an issue for me and another who did not re-sign last year (not getting paid this amount- me not getting half of the pay that is withheld).
They pay over 12 months but did not pay me half even though I worked half of my assignment. I have much support saying that is wrong/my right to get half my pay. In Canada is it not wrong to not pay half if I work half? Are we under a different law/ system since we work in China?

Apparently offshore schools are under a chinese law or not regarded with the same business ethics/contract ethics even though we paid tax on our salaries and it is a Canadian company. Is there a way to keep these schools more honest and rightful with the way they treat us professionals? I decided to stay in China since i started to feel at home here after setting up many things here. I also had a goal to get further professionally here and save some money.

Anyways thanks for any feedback you can give on this issue.

[KarenB]

My school pays 12 months salary for 9 months work (1 month off for Spring Festival, 2 months off in summer). However, the salary for July and August is only paid for continuing teachers who renew their contract for the following year. Otherwise, the pay ends at the end of the contract on the first week of July.