Job Discussion Forums

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Some schools in China cling to the antiquated policy that if you do not leave China for the summer, you will not receive any money for the round trip airfare.

Round trip airfare is an earned employment perk.

The SAFEA Rules, which are advisory only, provide that airfare shall be provided in one of three ways:
1. The school may purchase the ticket
2. The school may reimburse the ticket cost
3. Any other arrangement reached between the school and FT

Most schools pay the rmb equivalent of the airfare and leave it up to the FT to spend the money any way they want.

This tends to keep the money in China as opposed to giving it to a foreign airline company. This also allows the FT maximum freedom for summer plans.

Is your school still stuck in the old mentality that SAFEA requires the FT to leave China to receive the ticket or reimbursement?

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

I would suggest serious and thoughtful replies only as this entire thread could be copied and submitted to those schools stuck in the past to encourage modernization in this regard.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I don't know why you were calling this an "antiquated rule" - I never heard of it in the past but in recent years, an increasing number of FTs have complained about their employers trying this trick. As far as I know, it's illegal.

Midlothian Mapleheart · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Elsewhere

post deleted

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

MM

You have a reading comprehension problem mate?

If you do not go out of country there is no money for travel. Use it or lose it mate.

Midlothian Mapleheart · Joined: 26 May 2005 Posts: 623 Location: Elsewhere

post deleted

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

chengdude · Joined: 13 Jun 2004 Posts: 294

I interviewed with a university this week and they have the following policy:

FT's will receive reimbursement for a one-way or round-trip ticket depending on length of service, but reimbursement cannot exceed US$500 one-way or US$1000 round-trip. If the teacher chooses not to submit a receipt or ticket for reimbursement, the school will pay the teacher cash, but only 80% of the the stated amounts.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

80% is still better than use it or lose it. 80% sounds like Jiangxi Province.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

It's been suggested before, but it's good advice... buy a fully refundable round trip ticket, submit a copy to your FAO, collect your money, and then get your ticket refunded.

.

Malsol · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1976 Location: Lanzhou

Direct quote from offer -

maotouying · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 119 Location: My Chair In China

As I have mentioned before, I see a trend schools are trying to actually undercut the cost of us FT's to come here. That is they lure us by saying they will pay for one term the cost of flying here. And pay the return trip cost, if you do a full 2 term. That being a round trip air fair re-imbursment..then the double talk comes, with a cap of say 10,000 RMB.

My flight here was 1200 US Dollars. You do the math. I should be re-imbursed 2400 US Dollars. 10,000 RMB as many of us know, is just about 1450 US Dollars. That is not re-imbursment, that is deception.

themanymoonsofjupiter · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 205 Location: The Big Link

my school is that way---if you don't actually have a ticket for anywhere, then you don't get any money. i made sure i bought a round-trip paper ticket since i've experience with schools not accepting an e-ticket.

a colleague is looking to stay on next year and the FAO told him he will give him 8000 RMB no matter whether he goes somewhere or not.

Voldermort · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 597

Problems like these are easily resolved while negotiating the contract. The school is trying to save a few bucks by praying on the newbies. I have no sympathy for it. People should do their research especially when undertaking such a task as working in a foreign country.

When I took on my current job I knew there would be a good chance I wouldn't be leaving. Therefore I made certain by changing my contract before signing that I would receive a 'completion bonus' rather than airfare. As it happens I have changed my mind, I will travel home next month for a few weeks to visit family and settle affairs. While the bonus does not cover all the expenses it saves me the hassle of purchasing tickets now and going through the hassle of getting the money back.

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

when the time comes for the school to pay for the air ticket, a cash sum in lieu of a ticket, who determines how much money should be given to the teacher? is it up to us to go to a travel agent and get a printout of a flight itinerary? does the school do that? mh previous contracts mentioned nothing about air tickets, just a cash bonus at contracts end. this year, my contract says i'll be paid whatever the air ticket home costs......

7969