Job Discussion Forums

[olabueno]

So, imagine this. I'm 5 mos. into my first contract and I want out. I had no intention of leaving when I signed, but things have changed. There's nothing really wrong with the school, it does the best it can with the resources it has. But, I'm not happy.

And now I want out.

I've read all the posts about other people in my situation, but they are mostly outdated.

Here's the scoop. I want to go south and find work in another province. Must I have a release letter? I've heard people say yes and no. My contract is standard, 1 year, breach penalty, etc.

Can I legally attain work (teaching) in another province without this release letter? Again, no need to respond if you pulled a runner in '89. From what I hear, regulations have been tightened. But, I have not been able to attain reliable information.

To be clear, I'm not intentionally trying to deceive my school. I just simply do not know how they will react to my request for a release letter. For all I know, they could ask for some loot, they could cancel my wrk permit...hell! they could oblige me! I have no idea. I do a fine job, no complaints, no problems, no attendance issues, etc.

What say you Daveland? Thoughts? Suggestions? Finger Wags? I will consider all of them.

Many thanks!

[Teatime of Soul]

Does your contract address the issue of one party breaching the contract?

[Hansen]

"I'm not happy." Anything in your contract about not being happy or being happy? Best situation for you is to man up and finish your contract. You apparently have no good reason to leave, except how you feel. Why not explore options for becoming happy in your current situation? Develop some coping skills. Learn to deal with adversity. Do your best and obey the law of the pack, whatever.

Short of being happy, how about just being content? Will you settle for that? All the vagaries associated with doing a runner, you can avoid, by completing your contract, just as you said you would.

Almost certain you won't be sorry.

[killian]

winter break is coming. hold on there. sounds like a vacation is in order.

[olabueno]

Yeah, my contract has the standard breach clause.

And Hansen, as far I know, there is nothing in my contract related to happiness. That's more of a personal goal I carry. You're welcome to give your opinion of the matter, but I'm really looking for something more helpful/useful.

"Can I teach in another province without obtaining a release letter?"

I'm not in a debating mode, I will leave. I'm simply trying to gain knowledge from others that have faced this problem recently.

Lately, I'm thinking maybe I'll enjoy my vacation, then try my luck in Thailand...maybe even Vietnam or Laos.

Teaching in another province is looking less likely (and sounding less appealing) every day.

-frustrated

[thefuzz]

So do you think that the grass is going to be greener in Thailand, Vietnam or Laos? Will living in those three countries going to make you happy? I reckon that first and foremost you have to ask yourself: do I even like teaching? If your heart is not in the game you'll never going to be happy teaching anywhere else...and that's OK, not everyone is made to be a teacher.

[Laurence]

[brsmith15]

I think you'd better prepare yourself for the fact that if you want to work at a legit school here, you'll need to return to your home country, get an invitation letter from your new employer, present it to your local Chinese mission (embassy or consulate), get your return Z visa.

It's what I had to do when Telfort/Delter stiffed me and refused to even come close to honoring their contract after I followed the spirit, letter and intent of the departure clause - finished all my classes, gave 2 months' notice, paid any outstanding bills. My new employer had a great deal of guang xi with all kinds of educational authoroities but to no avail.

Think of it as a vacation and take the time to rest and reflect.

[alter ego]

[olabueno]

Fuzz...I'm a teacher by profession. I've been teaching full-time in Florida for five years; it's not the teaching aspect that I'm unhappy with. It's this city!

Thanks for everyones input...I'm tired of grappling with the "what ifs" of bailing. Time to start planning my holiday...

[thefuzz]

[Hansen]

OP, I'd suggest that you avoid the evil counsel of individuals such as "alter ego." You signed a contract, gave your word, and so forth. Even those who lack integrity, apparently people such as yourself, can still find fulfillment in a job well done.

You could chase women, practice taiji, find some way to amuse yourself.

Posts such as yours, seeking info on doing something which is obviously wrong and damaging to the field of FTs, should be in the same category as people seeking info on scoring dope in Yunnan.

[alter ego]

Evil counsel? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever read on this forum.

There you go again Hansen, escalating things in flame-bait fashion.

This from an "individual" whose own words here include:

[Hansen]

Well,unlike you, AE, I admit that my behavior was wrong. I posted it so that others might learn something about the pressure and stresses of life in China.

Violence has long been recognized and utilized as an effective tool in conflict resolution and coping. The Chinese have elevated it to an art, wushu which I spend lots of time playing. Do I consider a proclivity toward violence a virtue? No. It's just the way things are.

I certainly wouldn't advise people with no good reason except their feelings, to run away from a job because they don't like the city it's in.

Obviously, some people lack understanding of things like dependability, integrity, even self respect. Of course, some people, particularly those with a warped conscience, actually are uncomfortable if they are not up to no good. Many locals are like that. They feel wrong if they don't lie, cheat, connive. Many of them would be considered sociopathic types in a western society, if they behaved that way.

But you have no problem encouraging a malcontent to violate what has for a long time been considered inviolable, a man's word. It's not me you need to be afraid of. There are other forces at work, much more capable than I, of settling scores with you and your tribe.

I had a friend who was adverse to work. He figured out a way to collect gov't aid because of a mental disability. The last time I saw him alive, I warned him about the negative consequences of living off of money that he had not rightfully earned, that many people resented him having. Especially in view of the fact that he was simply a goof off who didn't want to apply himself to any unpleasant task.

Of course, he was murdered not long after that. Murdered by people who were stealing the check they knew he had just received in the mail, the one with the bad karma attached to it.

There are certain principles at work in the world, cause and effect, karma, reaping what you sow. It applies to me as much as to you and the person who you ill advised.

Why accumulate negativity in life, if you can prevent it by doing the right thing?

[mike w]

Would you consider doing a runner from a teaching job in Florida?

I doubt it. So why do it here?

Unfortunately, all your actions will do, is add fuel to the mistrust that some schools have in their FT's. Not seeing your contract out, or doing a runner, is almost certainly going to make life more difficult than it need be for whoever replaces you at your current school.

See your contract out, and then you should have no problems getting a release letter, or even a letter of recommendation, which will smooth your way a little in finding a new position that is more suitable.