Job Discussion Forums

sharpe88 · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226

I haven't worked for a school that has asked this, so I wanted to check.

Is it normal for a school to withhold a few classes salary initially as a "deposit" ? And hold it against you if you break terms of the contract.

When negotiating a contract have you ever told them to omit these terms, and had them be okay with it ?

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

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Noobie blunder #3: Paying a "salary deposit."

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

Why do some posters feel they need to belittle others, especially those deemed as newbies, (sorry, noobies isn't a word) here on Dave's? Do they actually get a kick out of doing it? Most good teachers know and follow one of the simple golden rules: there's no such thing as a stupid question.

Some schools do in fact withhold initial security deposits, but in my experience it's generally smaller EFL businesses and companies that do this. I don't think it's the norm, but it does happen. The norm is for schools to withhold pay checks until the 10th, or later in the month, which stops teachers from doing midnight runs. That in itself is a form of keeping a security deposit, and it's a standard in our industry.

I'm not sure if it's a bad thing, depends on the outfit, the offer, salary, working conditions, etc. I've worked for one or two employers who held small security deposits but I didn't have any problems getting paid back when I moved on. It's ok to ask or try to negotiate it out of your deal or contract, but most employers who use this tactic probably no longer trust foreign teachers, and I think that's what it boils down to, a trust issue.

The amount is usually pretty minimal (around 2,500 rmb) so unless you need the money right away (I've been there, my friend) I wouldn't worry about it if you think it's a good job.

The Ever-changing Cleric · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523

I know they do / did this in Korea (~300,000 won per paycheque for first 3/4 months), but one reason for that is that the schools there typically pay for your flight to Korea up front, so its meant to cover the cost of the flight if the teacher flees under cover of dark.

Unless there's some significant payment / investment by the school in / for the teacher, then I dont see any reason for this happening in China. I don't think I'd let any school here with-hold any portion of my salary (unless they had a good reason and could explain it to me clearly).

Like alterego says, you're often paid 7-10 days in arrears anyway (i'm not, pay is in the bank right at months end), so that's already a security deposit of 1/3 months salary.

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

OP, My post wasn't meant to belittle you. It was intended as a concise way to emphasize that you want to give your employers as little opportunity to cheat you as is possible. My experience here has been that if a local has the opportunity to rip you off, they will usually take it. Not always, but why take the chance?

I doubt that I would agree to terms such as this. If you do and get burned, your loss.

Point of reference: One school, one university, over a 6 year period

The term "noobie" is in the Urban Dictionary, although it is not found in Merriam Webster.

LanGuTou · Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 621 Location: Shandong

OP - Are you happy to divulge which institution or which region you are located in? If not, please ignore this request. It is only through curiosity that I ask.

kungfucowboy83 · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 479

i haven't heard of it before and would not accept if i saw it in a contract

danielb · Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 490

Simply, it is not a legal practice. Refer the employer to Article 9 of the Labor Contract Law.

sharpe88 · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226

I'm no newbie in China, just avoided these situations in the past. I went to a few interviews at language centers (aka "mills") that asked for this recently. Therefore I wanted to ask how common this is. I didn't sign up with any of these places though. The reasoning usually is that they don't want teachers to split without notice or other bad behaviour.

alter ego · Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 209

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

New sheriff in town? Cool

midgetrampage · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Location: PDX OR

The term "noobie" is in the Urban Dictionary, although it is not found in Merriam Webster.

Isn't it spelled n00bie?

Lobster · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:26 am Post subject:

As danielb pointed out, this practice is illegal in China. There is no way they can or should hold back any part of your pay, and I would not accept this clause in any contract. There is no justification other than their lack of trust, and that's not your problem. I'm sure they would have a similar reaction if you asked to be paid in advance every month, simply because you don't trust them to pay you. Just politely tell them it's not acceptable.

RED

nobleignoramus · Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 208 Location: On the road

If the practice of keeping part of an employe's pay as a surety is 'illegal' then that's news for me. It may be true but who cares?

It does happen all the time. Your holiday pay may be paid after you return, for instance, as will be your various perks, such as airfare and travel allowance. If they pay you hourly wages then they may want to keep some of the first lessons until you have discharged your duties.

I am not saying I like it but I say there is little you can do about it if your boss wants it this way.

And he may have a valid reason of his own to make sure that no laowai cheats on him...

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345