Job Discussion Forums

raclyn72 · Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 14

I'm wondering what my "rights" are in this situation. Last week my TA approached and told me that starting March 23 my classes were being decreased by 6 classes/week. The reason being is we have another FT here from the US doing an "internship" type visit. So he has been following me around for the last week observing my classes which is fine with me, but starting March 23 he will be teaching 6 of my classes, this will last for a month. Also fine with me. After asking my TA if my salary would be reduced she said no.

The problem is there isn't too good a history between me and my boss as of late. Since about December he has not called me or emailed me directly (sometimes not even answering my emails). I have only been able to get my questions answered through my TA.

This is my second year at this middle school and my last year. I've encountered some problems here and have had to let him know (threatening to go to the FAO in my next big city-hated doing that but...) that I'm serious about what the contract says.

My first year here there were several months in the first term where my salary was late. This is where I had to threaten to go to the FAO people. Fine, the second term was fine everything was paid on time. So I signed for another year. This is where it gets weird, early in this school year the school decided to opened 2 packages that I received in the mail(they admitted to it-gee we're sorry-we can't speak English but we had to see who it's for) so I promptly went and rented a mailbox from China Post. Solved that problem. Also early this year there have been some weird questions coming from my boss at the beginning of the year. "Can you give me the phone numbers of some of your friends so I can call them and ask them some questions?" My reply was "no". He said the local police had asked him to do this. He also wanted to come to my house and make sure it was "safe". I don't live on campus as the apartment they provide is pretty bad. I told him I don't let anybody in my house so the answer was "no".

I'm just wondering if after the month of me not having gone to a total of 24 classes he is gonna turn around and say- "you didn't go to class so we didn't pay you for that". So this weekend I've been arguing with my TA(poor girl stuck in the middle of this) because I want the school to write a short letter and stamp it stating what is happening. It would take my boss 2 minutes to write 5 sentences stating-my salary doesn't change, I don't have to teach classes x x x x x x , this will be for one month put the start date and finish date. All I'm getting from my boss via my TA, is "BELIEVE ME, BELIEVE THE SCHOOL!" If this were any other school I probably would but my boss has only thrown his "Chinese logic" at me when I've tried to solve a problem and it gets turned around to somehow it's my fault. So am I totally out of line here making this simple request from them? My next step is calling the FAO office and ask their advice.

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

Write up your own letter with the "facts" of your pay and have someone look it over and sign it. Someone being a person in a supervisory period - - if not your boss, someone close to him. If nobody will sign it, then I'd be a little worried. Perhaps you should show up to all your scheduled classes and sit in on them in the back - make sure your school knows you are doing this and keep a record of your time. Have the TA and the intern initial or sign their names confirming you were there. Read a book or correct some homework or something. If the "intern" has any questions, you'd be there to assist him/her. If they say it's not necessary (and they won't sign the paper saying "not to worry"), tell them you'd feel better watching so you know what's going on in your classrooms. Why would you believe ANY Chinese school when they say "don't worry, trust us"? You've been here long enough to know better. Ultimately though, you're going to have to go to your boss and speak to him face-to-face instead of using your TA as a go-between.

By the way, often interns aren't paid, so maybe you have nothing to worry about at all . . . maybe.

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

I would bet no one will sign it....and I really think that is a foolish idea....it would do little except accelerate the decay int he relationship.. if there is any left...once they decide to change nothing u can do about it...

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

I would bet no one will sign it....and I really think that is a foolish idea....it would do little except accelerate the decay int he relationship.. if there is any left...once they decide to change nothing u can do about it...

suanlatudousi · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 384

Simply point out to them that your contract provides you receive a salary (I assume) and that you are not an hourly employee. Where is the issue? Yes, they could try to screw you, but that is what the "contract" and "salary" are for.

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

OP

Maybe you could go and sit in on the classes taught by the intern

then if your employer tries to deduct pay in accordance with a minimum hours clause, you could say you were co-teaching or whatever

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

raclyn72 · Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 14

I went to class this morning and my TA was waiting for me with the letter from my boss. Now the letter says that my classes are reduced from March 23- May 15!. I'm glad they all know what is going on. Thanks for your suggestions and allowing me to vent a little.

raclyn72 · Joined: 19 Mar 2008 Posts: 14

Also, this letter may have no bearing in the future but I feel alot better having it.

jamesmollo · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 276 Location: jilin china

First of all, you should always speak to your boss in person. Going through a TA is not a good idea, they don't want to get into trouble so will avoid this at all costs, including lying.
Secondly, If your contract states you get paid a certain salary for a certain ammount of hours then what they decide to do is their problem, not yours - you should still get paid the same. this includes natural disasters, school performances, cancelled classes and so on.
Thirdly, what use is a letter from the school going to achieve? obviously they won't sign it. If you have issues go over their heads to the foreign affairs bureau, if they try to not pay you. threats in china are of no use, do it.