Job Discussion Forums

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

I just had the FEC processed and instead of receiving the blue book
I was given a photocopy. I did get to touch and have a look at it, but I was told that it will be kept at my company's head office. It was explained to me
that it was standard procedure.

I'm not too worried, but is this common for employers to keep the FEC ?

Will I need to produce the FEC for anything during my stay here ?

Thanks~

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

I have never actually used it for anything, but it is proof of where you are employed (your RP states you are a teacher, but doesn't state where). The only possible thing you might need it for would be something like banking, though I have never been asked.

The language within the document suggests it is yours to hold onto. They may keep them if they are worried teachers will lose them or not return them when finished (you are meant to hand them back to the PSB, perhaps schools get fined if they are not returned, but I really have no idea).

If you really want it, tell them you have been asked for it at the bank and they might hand it over. In my experience, you are unlikely to need it.

Edit: There is one exception I have thought of. Every year at Wuhan University, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, they charge people to come onto the campus so they can take photographs. If i don't show my FEC, they will not let me into the campus free of charge (or at least not without some arguing).

7969 · Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 5782 Location: Coastal Guangdong

Our FAO holds our FECs. I haven't seen mine in ages. Hasn't made a difference, I've never been asked for it while traveling, at a bank, by the police, or anywhere else I've been in China.

randyj · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:17 am Post subject:

Last year the FAO held mine. This year I have it. Either way doesn't really matter, as Dean and 7969 have indicated.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

I have always been allowed to keep my FEC.
A few times I was able to use my FEC instead of my passport for things like trains, hotels, and banking.

It is always a big gamble if the FEC will be accepted or not. I do not like to carry my passport with me at all times. I feel more comfortable carrying the FEC and a copy of my passport with me most of the time.

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

dean
randyj
7969

You are all in consensus and my worries are abated. I won't raise hell then.

Charging cash to take pictures of the cherry blossoms ?
That's a a money grab for ya.

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

I think the main use of it is if you change schools, but my previous school told me that it has their school name in it and that my new school wouldn't need it. So, we probably get a new one each time we go to a new school.

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

The FT is expected to keep the FEC on his person to use as identification.

Unfortunately, nobody, (including my local PSB and every PSB in every city in which I have worked) accepts it as identification or proof that I work at my school. It doesn't really matter who keeps the FEC. In my little outpost of progress, banks will not accept it as proof that I have obtained my money legally, and therefore will not accept it as supporting documentation when I have tried to convert money.

I don't see how the FEC will help you when you transfer to another school. The FAO is expected to confiscate it from you when your contract expires.

Let your FAO keep the FEC if it makes him happy. If you are asked about it by a school or some other entity, refer him to your FAO.

Just hang onto your passport.

TeacherInChina · Joined: 17 Dec 2010 Posts: 206

dean_a_jones · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 1151 Location: Wuhan, China

Yeah, should be fine.

Keep your passport safe and sound at all times. Like many (I would guess most) FTs, I don't strictly follow the letter of the law by having it on me at all times. A good idea would be to keep a copy of it (and the RP) in your wallet or something so you at least have that on you in case anyone does actually ask (I have never been asked for it randomly).

You will need it on official business--banking, perhaps buying a SIM for your phone, anything where they will want proof of identity (or a number to write down). And don't forget to pack it when you travel by train or go on holiday within the country.

petebeatstreet · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:46 pm Post subject:

I keep mine, along with my copy of my contract, passport, medical book.

Why wouldn't I? They belong to me, not the uni.

randyj · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:51 pm Post subject:

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

The FEC is supposed to be held by the teacher and returned to the issuing body. No reason for the school to touch it.

However, as has been pointed out, there is little use for it (your passport works in its place). If it makes your FAO happy, then let them keep it. No reason to fight about it.

Opiate · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 630 Location: Qingdao

Sometimes it can be used in lieu of your passport for things like banking or hotels. Not always...but personally I am not fond of roaming around with my passport.

Timer · Joined: 24 Oct 2010 Posts: 173 Location: China

I still have my FEC from my first job. They never asked for it back when my contract ended. Does this mean there was something fishy with the job or did the school have connections to make the problem go away?