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cj750nomad · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 252 Location: Beijing and

I didnt sign a SAFEA contract so I can t access one in the flesh ... but was wondering ...I have heard that by SAFEA regulation ... one or two days were guaranteed for the Christmas holiday....and if this is assumed by anyone on this site.. is their a reference to this provision ..or is it just SOP.....are their any specs for religious holidays ... and I guess the final question ..... how many of u will receive Christmas and or boxing day .. or if ur from the other side of the pond... Christmas eve...as a holiday....

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

My school is so funny. Not funny "ha-ha", but rather funny as in their response when I requested two days off for the Christmas holiday as is "promised" by the government SAFEA regulations.

"Oh, if we granted two days off for all the teachers, that would be a lot more work for the Chinese teachers to do."

"But it's your government's rules, I didn't make them up."

"We can't always do what the government says."

Exclamation

Every frikkin' time I ask when a certain holiday will be or why we have to switch days around for a holiday or any other half dozen questionable lame-brained actions by my school, they always come back with "the government sets these dates/rules/regulations/whatever and we must comply." Yet when it's something that may actually benefit me (a four-day Christmas holiday), then they mysteriously forget those comments.

I offered a compromise: I said I'd come in on Christmas morning and work a half day, teach two or three of my classes, then take the afternoon off and the following Friday (and weekend). This is coming from one of their most valued employees (yeah, right) who NEVER calls in sick or takes discretionary days off. Instead of an immediate, "that's a good idea" agreement, they're still mulling it over. Rolling Eyes

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

cj750nomad · Joined: 11 Oct 2008 Posts: 252 Location: Beijing and

thanks NCL.. and Kev

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

Today another shoe dropped. For many of you, you'll get January 1st, New Year's Day off. We were told a while back that "they" (the school? the government?) will switch Friday, the 2nd with Sunday, the 4th, thus allowing a consecutive 3-day holiday/weekend. For me, it doesn't matter one way or the other as I don't really celebrate New Year's (like going out to party or whatever) but okay.

Today our school told us that "maybe" we won't get the 3 day weekend after all as the Spring Festival holiday is so closely followed afterward. Again, no problem. I'm happy to have Thursday off and then back to work on Friday and then have my regular weekend off. Oh no, that's not what they meant. No, they are saying that the regular weekend of Jan. 3-4 will be canceled and we'll have to work it due to the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, only getting Jan. 1st off (and then the weekend of 10-11 I'd imagine, but who can know?)! Well, I won't do that or, if I WERE to do it, I'll make sure it's overtime pay (but I don't need overtime pay all that bad so . . . I won't work it).

But, geez louise! What's up with that? Every year it's always something. We were already told that the final day of school is Jan. 14th. That's a Wednesday. Why not just end the week on the 16th and go from there and not muck around with weekends and 25 day work weeks?

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

For the benefit of all who are in the same boat, so to speak:

Go here and download and open the Official SAFEA Appendix A to the Official SAFEA Contract.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. The Official SAFEA Appendix A carries the Official Signature and Chop of SAFEA on every page.

http://www.jobschina.org/China_Library_Index/LINK_PAGE/China_Law/SAFEA_Regulations/safea_regulations.html#safeaappendix

Once you open it, the rules concerning religious holidays for foreigners ar found under Article III of the Official Appendix, Item 3 :

The foreign teacher shall have TWO days paid off for Christmas..

And in your shoes, I would involve the Beijing FEB and SAFEA, particularly if I were in Beijing. Both are quite efficient in their own immediate backyards, so-to-speak.

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

For more on Water Splashing Day (Festival):

http://www.cmgdcn.com/english/?action-viewnews-itemid-1800

gregmcd101 · Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 144 Location: Ireland (for now)

My contract says "party B is entitled to two days off for Christmas. Party B can also have his/her national day off on request, but shall notify party A one week beforehand"

Not sure if it is an actual SAFEA contract, but it follows their instructions

I actually went to see the FAO's sect. today, to ask her about it, she asked me what days I intended taking, I said 25th-26th, that was it, job done, 4 day Xmas break, then back for 3 days (exams), then 3 days off for new year. A make-up day on Sunday 4th, and I am done for the semester, bar submission of exam results.

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

NCL, Thanks for that link. I'd be careful about being too legalistic, however. Notice that V requires a credit bail of between $600 and $1000 to be paid by the FT to the school. What do you think the chances of ever seeing that money again would be?

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

theincredibleegg · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 224

theincredibleegg · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 224

I checked out the links and and messaged a colleague. Reponse: What is SAFEA?

/sigh

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

What's sad, is I 100% believe you

Sugar Magnolia · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 233

I nominate Arioch to head the teachers union.