Job Discussion Forums

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

So one teacher has already quit, and the word within the school is that the school likes to fire mid-year if it can because it saves them bonus money. I've felt uncomfortable here (at the school, the city and the people are just fine, it's ugly here, but I've got my girl) since arrival and this job is no longer good for me. I lose sleep, can't eat, and just plain don't want to go there in the morning.

But... I need to be here for the wedding planning and other such things. Anyone quit a job while down here in Mexico and then subsequently supported his or herself without an immediate replacement job (opportunities abount here in Torreon if you're a Mexican accountant, but Liberal Arts degrees don't get you too far).

Private lessons to adults?
Working from the net?

I want to leave (my job)... but I want to stay here. Catch 22.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure I'll be dismissed come Christmas anyways.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Is there only one language school there? If not, why don't you drop your resume at the others in the meantime?

sambeckett · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 24 Location: Mexico

Hold the course. I know how rough it can be. I suffered teaching in Torreon for one year. Under Mexican Fedral law you are protected. If you are fired-you are entitled to approximately 3 to 4 months salary unless you are fired for a criminal or moral lapse. So hang in there. At least grab the Christmas bonus before you skate away.

Saludos cordiales,

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

This would be assuming a teacher is working legally with an FM3, right?

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Could be both. The teacher will be fined for the time he has been working illegally and asked to leave the country.

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

As the others have said, you have rights and are protected. Don�t leave without getting what you are entitled to. The guy that was there and fired (the reason why I ended up there) had his contract paid out plus bonus.

There are two other schools in the area that I know of but I cannot for the life of me think of their names. I have a friend working at one right now. I could give you her email if you wanted to contact her. Just PM me.

As for private classes, I am not sure how great the market is, but you could certainly check it out. Business classes might be a market to get into as there are certainly a lot of factories and what not around there. I would imagine there are foreign workers (esp. Koreans) that might need English lessons (or have children who do).

Best of luck!

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

Anyone care to expand on the paying out of the contract thing? Since I am on contract I'd like to know what my rights are.

I have my FM3... finally. They didnt even have us fill out any forms for the visa until we had been here almost two months. In fact... the school made all the new foreign teachers leave their classrooms two weeks ago to hide because someone from immigration came by and they were afraid they would get fined if any of us were discovered to be there without our visas already processed.

Keep in mind that this school has kept a tight grip on our passports since we arrived.... you nearly have to fight to get yours so you can go open an account at a video store. One girl tried to quit and was threatened by the administration with deportation.

They've been taking all sorts of deductions out of our checks... IMSS, and some others neither I nor my fiance's family understood.

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

Have you thought about anonymously reporting them (I don�t know who you do that to however!)?

The school pulled the same trick with me regarding my FM3. Because I arrived halfway through they year, and was leaving at the end, they attempted to not get me my FM3. They only did so once they received a gov�t letter that basically said I had to register / pay a fine or leave. This was in May, towards the end, so I only had about a month and a half left. Rolling Eyes

Legally I believe you are entitled to three months of your salary, plus any bonuses that your contract entitles you too. I think. If you check with the labour board there, they can help you. Whatever you do, DO NOT SIGN anything unitil someone you know/trust/who knows the laws takes a look at it and agrees it is on the up-and-up.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

Nope. Never been to IMSS. One of the teachers who was here last year has never been. Hmmm.

cangringo · Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 327 Location: Vancouver, Canada

I have a question...what if you're only working part time and get fired with no notice. It's a prepa but there was a contract and FM3 and the whole works...do they owe anything or no because it was part time.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

A contract is a contract.