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Q: How many times has your school tried to screw you?
My school scheduled me for classes on Christmas day and the bosses tried to act surprised when I made a fuss about it. I've been asking them all month how many days we get off of work for the holiday. This morning I showed my signed contract that said I'd get a 1 day paid holiday on Dec 25. They caved after I said I wouldn't show up. I'm with one of the most reputable schools in China. Should I expect more of this?
12 years 18 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
My current school? Only a few dozen times. I was lucky to find one of the relatively more honest schools in China.
You were right to stand your ground. I worked the last two Christmases at other schools, and both times it was just "humiliate the foreigner day". Forced tp wear costumes, then being laughed at for the costume, forced to dance and sing christmas songs, laughed at for doing such by the people who ordered me. And all of it unpaid overtime.
Today I did a lesson on civil rights in western countries and how Chinese living abroad enjoy them after they wouldn't shut up about wanting me to dress up.
Wow, this has not happened to me. On the days that I have taught on Christmas Day, I present a powerfoint lecture on the religeous and secular traditions of Christmas and I end it with a discussion of Hannukah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day (Epiphany).
I have never been asked to dress up in a red suit nor have I been asked to sing songs.
I will however, at the end of the lecture hand out "Golden Monkey" candy.
wow. I've had a few bad days but nothing on that level. Glad you stood your ground.
wow. I've had a few bad days but nothing on that level. Glad you stood your ground.
That is very unfortunate especially if you have a signed contract that specifically states you will get a paid holiday on Christmas day. Kchur's thing about dressing up and humiliating him or foreigners is low. I've never seen that happen. If anything I've seen people not show up to classes and are still teaching but it might just be the type of schools. You said your school was reputable so I guess that would be the difference between what I experienced and what you experienced.
mattaya:
Oh good..red again seems like it brings out the best in my avatar.
I think a better question would be when hasn't a school tried to screw you?
I worked at a part time job on Christmas, but we just played some games, watched movies or made Christmas cards. I wasn't planning on doing anything else that day because it's a Sunday. If it hadn't been on the weekend, then I would have worked in the morning like I always do, and I doubt they would have asked me to do anything else. Ok, well I missed a Christmas party, but no one else I know would have been able to go, so screw that.
Not yet, nor ever IIRC. As a pagan, I'm not too worried about the day anyway, but if its in my contract, then I won't budge.
NO school would ever get me to dress up for a class like that. Even Halloween is out of the question for me (and I suspect the people I work with know not to bother pushing me anyway 
)
Shining_brow:
AWESOME... 3 thumbs down..... and all because of.....?????
Sadly yes. I've learned after many years here to just become as inflexable as possible and hold their feet to the flames on the contract but that's only if you have a z visa.
If you don't have a z visa then your contract is worthless but you still have a big threat. The I'm calling the PSB before I leave China to report you for hiring illegal teachers line works wonders to getting back pay proper bonus ect ect.
If by reputable you mean language training center, this is normal.
Pretty common affair here in China. I have found that because Christmas is not an official Chinese holiday they do expect you to work. If you have foreign management then they will most likely give you Christmas Day off, but in most cases it's business as usual!
Anybody on this thread see a similar post asking why foreign teachers don't form a union? Sounds like what's needed is a strategy / suggestions for dealing with employers that try to screw teachers - any ideas, concrete steps that work or have worked?
Unfortunately, too many times and that was the reason I left China. It came to the point where I didn't feel secure with the job and I was always expecting the company to cheat me. In the end, they did it again when I was about to renew my contract, they tried to lower my salary or give me + 10 more hours in order to keep the salary I was getting before. It came to the point where I said enough is enough, bought one way ticket and left for good.
I find it difficult to count that high. I ran out of fingers and grew depressed. Thanks OP, I blame you for this instance of crushing depression brought on by your question.
lies, deceit , all the time , to many instances , to tired to type that much, i make english errors when i type on purpose to make me humble,
the biggest gripe is notice for meetings or events less than 24 hours sometimes no notice at all hoping the foreigners want show up at all
the power trip on schedules , getting your books and schedule on sunday night at 6pm for an 8 am class on monday is normal operating procedure.
become the nail in the wood that never sticks up and stay invisible and scream in an empty room. another coping mechanism is great sex and a great real single malt scotch if you find it. best of luck
