Job Discussion Forums

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

You're either not payed in full or just plain not payed every month until about two weeks past salary date

How do you deal with this ?

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

If everything else is good, and I am paid in full, but two weeks late, then I would probably stay.

If there are other problems, then I might plan my departure.

How is everything else at the school ?

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

Two weeks late is a bit too late in my opinion, moreso if you're someone who lives from paycheque to paycheque.

For the record my pay at this school has only been late once in nearly six years so I don't have a lot of experience dealing with this. What kind of school are you at? I'll assume a university.

1. The contract usually stipulates when your monthly pay will be in the bank. Something like no later than the 8th day of the following month. If your salary is late by more than a day or two then ask the FAO when your salary will be deposited. If they give you an answer and it's still not there at that time, ask again. If once more they fail to deliver visit the FAO, politely express your concerns in person. Indicate that you've already delivered the services, you need this money to live and you need it now. Most times this should be enough to get someone's rear end in gear.

2. If delivering the salary late is a regular occurrence and that seems to be what you're saying here - then visit the FAO to lodge a complaint. If they can't or won't fix the situation immediately then kindly tell this person that you'll take your concerns to the local authorities in your city that deals with this kind of problem. If all other foreign teachers are in the same situation then visit the FAO together to strengthen your position. That will probably be enough for you to get the problem sorted without getting nasty.

I will also tell you what doesn't work (in any situation, not just pay related): Phoning the FAO and before even confirming who you're speaking to at the other end, screaming expletives to whoever was unlucky enough to answer the phone and then slamming the phone down after five minutes of ranting. I witnessed this from one FT at this school a few years ago. Turns out he was talking to a student assistant in the FAO (oops) who became very upset afterwards.

Remaining patient, polite, and calm, yet somewhat forceful, is the key.

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

Ok --

I work for a school that's been going through major financial problems long before I got here. They owe the other teachers money too -- one hasn't been paid in two months. Earlier in the year, he was at one point owed three months. And the other, is owed a month and a half. Me, I've been paid 75% of my salary after *only* about two weeks late. I'm brand new here so they've done everything in their power to not make me run off -- the best they could do is pay me more and quicker than the others. I even had to keep it a secret that I've been paid (it'd drive the veterans at this school crazy, as they've been waiting for a much longer time and are owed even more.)

there's three teachers here, incluing me. Before i came they had about 8 or 9. But, due to money payment problems, they left.

the remaining foreigners are the ones that, for some reason, feel sorry for the owner. They even call her "Mom" and weird things like that. And always defend her at all costs. "It's not her fault she can't pay!" "It's just a bad month for business!" "She's a great woman, she wants to pay but she can't!"

This is why I don't even complain about it.

I just know I have to get out of here.

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

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

So it's a private school. Unfortunately that means, unlike a university, your boss likely has very limited resources and may have nothing to fall back on when the well is dry. Probably wise to move on so as to avoid future losses.

One of my Chinese friends is about three months in arrears from her boss (not esl related work). I implored her to demand her salary or at least some of it, but nothing seems to happen but more reasons why the boss can't pay right now. If the money isn't coming in now the liabilities just keep piling up and it's the poor employee at the bottom of the ladder who usually gets paid last, or never.

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

mike w · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:47 am Post subject:

Red flags flying (and not the Chinese flag).

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

Ok, so the school has my VISA --

how do I bust out of here ?

This school gives me constant anxiety -- as I may as well not even have a job ..

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

You mean the school has your passport which contains your visa and residence permit, right? That's illegal.

Call your country's consulate for advice. You probably won't get direct help, but your consulate/embassy will be able to tell you which steps to take.

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

No, no. I have my passport

AdrianG4 · Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 160 Location: Harbin, China

My meaning is that I'm SPONSORED through the school.

I have an Foreign experts certificate through them and they did my residence permit.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Two weeks' late for pay?

Heck, I'd be two weeks' late for work in that case.

big_big_bang_theory_fan · Joined: 10 Aug 2011 Posts: 105

You have the right to have your contract invalidated due to Party A (Employer) not paying you - that includes any period past the agreed upon/contractual pay date. Therefore, not being paid after two weeks allows you to terminate your contract with the penalties afforded you from the employer.

If you wish to continue your employment, then do so, otherwise, you have every legal right to leave your job, lose your resident permit (visa status), and foreign expert certificate, due to lack of employment. Of course, you have the right to find a new job at will.

It's your choice and only YOU can determine what is sufficient and appropriate for you.

I know what I would do if my pay were late more than a day.

Lobster · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:22 am Post subject:

I have only one clause in my contract that allows me to quit on the spot without notice or penalty, and that's late pay. They've only paid me late once in two years. The day after pay was due, they got a formal warning letter advising that the next incident would mean that I'd be leaving. It's never happened again.

The only reasons for late pay are that the place is having financial problems or they're just disorganized and don't care. If you let them get away with it, you're looking for trouble.

Here's what you do. One week before payday, talk to your boss. Remind him/her that you have bills to pay on time and cannot tolerate late payment. Tell him/her that in one week you expect full payment; no excuses. Tell them that if they don't deliver, you will have to consider leaving. If they're late again, give them a written warning and start sending out resumes. When you do finally get caught up, get out of there. Don't run until you get most of your money.

Too many FTs have been patient and let their school fall 3-4 moths behind. Then one day they go to work and find the door locked, the office empty and the boss gone. Good luck getting the 15-20k owed. Don't think it can't happen. My friend worked for Kai-en in Shanghai when it folded. He lost over 25k.

RED