Job Discussion Forums

Drchr1s · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 8

For the peeps working for the more corporate chains of ESL schools (trying not to mention names), how many days paid holiday should I expect per year? and.... are we all getting the standard 11 days public holiday?

Thanks everyone!

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

I would expect all the Chinese holidays -ie; when the school is closed (which I suppose depends on policy)-plus at least two weeks annual leave. Cool

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

For the four years I have been here I have alway been required to make up holidays by working an extra day on a Saturday or Sunday but I have yet to work at a buxiban. I always ask them why they call it a holiday when I have to work a 7 day week to make up the days ?

Mister Al · Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 840 Location: In there

BC is right in that some of the 'holiday days' need to be made up by working the previous weekend. Chinese holidays such as CNY, Labour Day and National Day are actually only 3 days holiday, hence working on that previous weekend so that you can have a full week holiday the next week.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Well, we've trod down this road a few times, haven't we? Most of us are generally NOT "making up" holiday days, rather, the school switches weekdays with a weekend before or after to ensure everyone has a longer holiday. Let's take this week's holiday as an example:

New Year's DAY is a holiday and many people in China get that day off. Now, I could have gotten Saturday and Sunday off at my school (my normal weekends off) then came back to work on Monday, then off, Tuesday for NYD, then back to work to finish off the week. Instead, my school TRADED Saturday for Monday, so I and all the other teachers and students could have a 3-day weekend: S-M-Tu. It would've made more sense (to me) to trade NEXT Saturday (instead of working 6 days on, 3 days off, 3 days on, 2 days off - - we could've worked 5 days on, 4 days off, 4 days on, 1 day off), but what do I know?

It's frustrating to have to work long weeks before or after to be sure, but the logic is there. I think the most frustrating is that the Chinese don't seem to know how to explain the logic in a satisfactory way. Two teachers in my department came to me last week with accusatory tones in their voices. "I thought you said we don't have to trade days for New Years." "We don't." "What about working this Saturday?" I explained the switcheroo as I did above. "Oh, I get it." Anger gone, back to work, problem solved.

It's funny because as I stated in a previous thread, my school had created some big, convoluted way of giving us days off and I simply stated that I will be "sick" on the weekends before and after. I suggested what eventually became our three day holiday and a few days later, we got a new, updated schedule that almost to a T reflected my suggestions.

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

Also keep in mind that the practice of make-up days that we all hate - including myself and so refuse to do them based on my contract ... they are in fact part of the LAW that provides the holidays. Of course, my contract states clearly, I work M-F, no weekends, including holidays, etc ...

vikuk · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 1842

lostinasia · Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 466

Well that's why I work only at universities and would never work in such language mills.

To give full disclosure, I have two contracts, two jobs, and I do work nearly every day including midnight shifts - not teaching of course.

Either way......

peepertice · Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 63

a word of warning to the OP

prior to signing a contract and/or starting work with a mill, they may well tell you that they will happily give you some private leave so you can explore China if you give them notice.

however if my experience is anything to go by, when you ask for leave they will react as if you've just gravely insulted them & give you numerous excuses as to why you can't take any leave.

thrash through the details of private leave with them & get it in writing before signing up to anything.

like others here, i would never go back to a mill due to the relentless work schedule.

Brian Caulfield · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 1247 Location: China

Two weeks ago I was told my classes were cancelled because the students were having special lessons on International business. So I went away to Shanghai to search for a new job. I get a phone call from my FA telling me to return to the school immediately. I didn't ask permission to leave . I think the Chinese expect us to be like them and just hang around chatting all day with nothing to do. Being on call 24 hours a day.
The reason they wanted me back was to sign income tax forms . I pointed out that they were three days late in this months check and I would like it that day. I also pointed out that I had to ask for every check .
Why should I sign for money I haven't recieved? So my FA forged my signature. And I still don't know if I am working today.