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Q: Where's my paycheck?
My last school (public high school) has not paid any of the teachers for August, and have given no indication when, and if, they will. My current school (public high school) said the September paycheck would be late and will not say by how many days. Both these schools are in the same program which I have been a part of for the past 5 years. Up until now, never once have I not gotten paid on time. Given the recent nosedive in the Chinese stock market, do you think there is a correlation between that and the school's financial health? Since these are State controlled schools, I don't see how there could be, but the coincidence is too striking to ignore. Is anyone else having a similar issue?
8 years 30 weeks ago in Money & Banking - China
Headmaster Zhou just emigrated to a non-extradition country?
RandomGuy:
This, or he played on the SH index with the funds and lost everything.
iWolf:
Or Xiao Zhou is studying in America and needs a Ferrari to keep up with the Wangs
No. They probably just realized that they can get away with not paying you.
yongge:
I agree with Spider. No pay, no work. Just don't take any classes until you get your pay and you will see how quickly it appears.
Headmaster Zhou just emigrated to a non-extradition country?
RandomGuy:
This, or he played on the SH index with the funds and lost everything.
iWolf:
Or Xiao Zhou is studying in America and needs a Ferrari to keep up with the Wangs
Yeah - don't go. Obviously, you tell HR first so they don't send out a search party.
I also suggest - though this will get you deeper and deeper into the bad books, and maybe fired when they first realise they don't need you - but when the phonecalls come in, and the threats, and the promises - don't budge! I've often heard the "Ok, it' will be in your account by this afternoon" and expect you to go to work today. And, lo and behold, it's not there! And, of course, it's the BANK's fault - not theirs!!!
When you can see the money in your account, then you can go back to work! NOT BEFORE! (it sort of helps if your bank sends you an SMS when there's a transaction).
Please remind them - August not paid, and already telling you not sure on September...yeah, I wouldn't be working there.
I'd also be contacting someone official or legal, and pointing out WHY you're not working. As you can expect that they'll dock any future payments for missed classes. If you're on a monthly salary, and not paid by the hour or class, this is a no-no!!
The same with me. My school, also a govt high school, have told me that they no longer have funding from the Ed Dept for a foreign teacher for the months of July and Aug, despite us entering into a new contract in late June (our 4th) which stipulates 12 months of salary.
In my case I don't want to leave as the alternatives in this area aren't as attractive. So, they've kinda got me.
At a table thumping meeting the other day they promised me they'll try to make up the shortfall from their 'ancillary acct'.
What do you intend to do about your situation?
If I was single here, or my wife was unencumbered herself, I'd blow this joint and try my luck down Yunnan way.
However, on the other hand...I kind of like where I'm living and believe I've got the best job in town.
But accepting the blatant contempt with which they view our contract really pisses me off.
The bottom line is.....China's a sick joke!
And me accepting their arseholery makes me a joke too. Fukit, I'm gunna get on the piss!
Shining_brow:
Betta get yourself a lawyer, son.
Get yourself a real good one.
Well, ok, at least start mentioning that you getting a lawyer, cos it's going to be a clear open and shut case - easy to understand contract... and obviously, there IS money in the accounts - they just don't want to give it to you!
royceH:
Yeah, get myself a lawyer. Good one!
Perhaps you haven't been here for very long. Or at least you haven't tried rocking many boats whilst you've been here.
Unfortunately I'm living in the real China and dead bodies are everywhere.
Quinn68:
I contacted the head office in Beijing and let them know the situation. I made it clear that unless I get paid, I will, and can, find employment elsewhere. I also have a lawyer in Beijing on standby in case they don't follow through. I'm not playing games with them. I know you have a family to think of, but it might be in your best interest to play hardball with them at first, so they don't try to take advantage of you in the future.
Englteachted:
Head office? Then you might not be working for a real public High School
Shining_brow:
Royce, you know I've been in China for (too many) years. Yes, lawyer! I don't accept their reality - the one where people just bend over and take what's given because they're too scared to do something about a bad situation - or to make a sacrifice somewhere along the line.
And, yes - there are a couple of things I'm known for in my work places - I give a damn about the students futures (until they show that they don't).. and rocking the boat! I'm not the trouble-maker, but the trouble-finder. People don't like it when the truth gets its head reared. They prefer to sweep things under the carpet. I don't!!!
Quinn68:
I do in fact work for a public school that is part of a Sino - US program. The program is embedded in several public high schools in China. Beijing controls all of them, so I went straight to the top. Still no reply from them, so I'll wait until after the holiday and then take legal action.
You don't necessarily need a lawyer. Look closely at your contract, make sure it clearly states that you are paid summer and winter breaks. Don't assume anything, it should be clearly stated.
If your contract clearly states that you are to be paid then send notice to the school give them a week or give them an ultimatum (they may choose to let you go, even universities are hiring philipnos to cut costs). You can contact SAFEA , they always helped me with salary.
icnif77:
Agree, no lawyer is needed for enforcing the (teaching) Contract in China. FEB is right office to call.
Shining_brow:
True... but if they're giving the 'we don't have the money' BS - then what?
icnif77:
That is Contract breach, and employee is free to find employment elsewhere, and keep RP intact.
SAFEA will make sure, school respects the Contract, or else.....There wasn't ever 'or else' when I called SAFEA.
Englteachted:
I worked very closely with the headmaster of my last school. They told me legal schools must deposit a large sum of money with the government in order to open and hire foreigners. They have the money
Well, in my case I'll tell you what I've done. I've written to the gov't head of foreign affairs in my city. I sourced his email address from the City's official website.
When the email bounced back because the email address wasn't real I then wrote to the City's mayor.
Now that that email has similarly bounced back, because the official email address is a fraud, I have make an appointment to see Bozo the Clown. My best hope, I'm afraid.
But I'm not done yet. If Bozo also lets me down I'll be forced into yet more action. In the fullness of time I might actually go nuts...and that won't be pretty for anyone.
But let the matter lie......ah..no, I won't.
Today I found out that I'm not the only person with salary woes at my school.
All the Chinese teachers have also had their money withheld for July and August.
The reason, as explained to me, is that the school has suffered some "indignity" and the gov't is punishing it, and them. The indignity being that the headmaster and accountant were escorted from the premises by the police about 15 months ago for "improper practices".
I knew about this, and was myself a victim of the improper practices of the accountant - who had been in the position for more than 20 years. (I did have a bleat about that matter on this site a couple of years ago when that bastard had been stealing my money.) At the time the best response I could get from the school community was that it was a "misunderstanding".
Since that time the school has been without a permanent headmaster and can only attract a part-time accountant, due to the 'shame'.
I'm told the plan is to close the school at some stage over the next couple or three years and relocate all and sundry to other schools throughout the city, 15 k's away.
The reason is that they are in the throes of closing the town down for everyone except the petro-chemical company that dominates it.
Citizens have the opportunity to buy newly built apartments in the nearby city for 20% of the market price (shell only, naturally).
The teachers are concerned about their futures, as they have not received any news of a concrete plan for the closure.
They told me today that due to their ability/preparedness to suffer hardship (as per their thousands of years of history) they are doing just that and hoping that in the fullness of time things will work out. But meanwhile they are very worried about their jobs.
For myself, I'm considering my position. I have some empathy for my Chinese peers and believe them when I'm told they want me to stay on.
If it suits me to stay in this location for another couple of years, and i think it does, I might have to suffer this burden along with everyone else.
Or I might yet invoke section 14-A of my contract and go down the road of official complaint for breach of contract (and probably finish up out on my arse...).
Sinobear:
Holy crap!
I hope all works out for you no matter what you decide.
How's your visa situation?
royceH:
Oh, seems like I've taken a liberty with your post, Quinn. Sorry about that.
How have you managed your pay problem?
Quinn68:
So far, none of the higher administration has responded to my repeated emails and phone calls. I'll wait till the 20th (a month from when I was supposed to get paid), and then initiate legal action for breach of contract. I'm already perusing the jobs on ECC, as I think I'll be needing a new one soon.
