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Posts: 277

Shifu

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Q: Should I sign a contract that I've only seen part of?

I'm negotiating to work as a teacher next year in a different city for a company that I don't really know much about. Now they want me to sign a 13 page contract when they only showed me pages 1, 6, 7, and 13. There are a few details that I think are relevant:

 

We agreed on the salary (somewhat less than I probably should have accepted).

 

We also agreed on my living off campus. I want a housing allowance and to pick out my own apartment, with the help of someone from the school. However, they are acting like they will pick the apartment out for me and have it ready when I arrive (not what I want)

 

I interviewed for this job in March, and waited through April for the contract. At the end of April, they sent a "offer letter" which had some terms in it, which I agreed to.

 

Obviously it is a bit sketchy... why not send the whole contract?

I'd appreciate your comments and opinions.

11 years 45 weeks ago in  Visa & Legalities - China

 
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Comments (3)
Posts: 2604

Shifu

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Wait first and read the entire contract. You wouldn't want to agree to something that you have no idea about. If they are holding something or hiding something from you and you already feel a bit uncomfortable the best option you have is to wait and have them send you everything. Let them tell you everything about the company so you wouldn't be lost or left behind or feel somewhat awkward because you have no idea about anything and you are not 100% sure of their terms and conditions. 

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1084

Shifu

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Why does the contract have 13 pages?

DeeRai:

Mine has 13 pages...

11 years 25 weeks ago
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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2381

Emperor

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This sounds dodgy as hell. I would not sign a contract unless I'd seen all of it. Even then, you'll need to be prepared to stand your ground to actually get all the important terms fully abided by. 

 

Demand all the pages (in English, and with you seeing and having the Chinese version translated by someone you trust, ideally) and then have them fully understand that you will not be moving into accommodation that you not sourced yourself.

 

I agreed to similar terms as you're discussing (housing allowance) and then the company changed their position after we signed, and ripped myself and my partner off by putting us in entirely sub-standard housing, under the guise of making life easier ("now you don't have the hassle of having to go house-hunting!"). It happens. 

 

If they're playing games and ignoring the contractual stipulation before you sign and you go along with it, then fully expect it to continue after you begin working.

 

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2253

Emperor

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Of course you don't want to sign this. Who knows what is written or not written in the parts that you can't see. Making you wait all this time is not good either. They are stalling for their own reasons. Maybe they think you will give in. Let me tell you what happened to me. A year ago, I thought I had found a good job. The contract was good, the current English teacher said it wasn't perfect but it seemed decent, and I had sent them all the papers. It was now early June, 2 full months after I had first emailed them. It was then that they told me something was wrong, they could not give me a Z visa. The agent said to wait, they would send me a new contract. When it came, it had 2 F visas and was for some other school or something. I said I didn't want that, I wanted a Z visa. I don't know if they were being honest, or they were holding out, hoping that I would be stupid enough to take it, but I had done a lot of research and wasn't falling for their crap. Considering that you began this whole deal in March, and you still haven't received the full contract...I don't think you're going to get what you want.

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 47

Governor

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You still have a while right?  You said you are going to be working there next year.

 

With Chinese you just need to be really clear about what you want and that you wont budge.  It will come across perhaps as rude to you but really they see you as a money making machine (if it is a private school) so they will want what's best for them and not for you.

 

Trying having a Skype conversation with them or something so that you can look them in the eye and be very certain of what you will be getting.  Also many schools don't actually make you sign the contract till you arrive in China however you agree on its contents beforehand.

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 458

Shifu

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Is this a genuine question? If so, on what retarded planet do you come from? (sic, for the pedants). You'll sign a contract you've only seen part of? Let's take a hypotheticcal example:

 

Say, hypothetically, p. mmm stated, 'If I am accused of rape by a minor I will freely and of my own accord admit to being a kiddy f*ucker, unless the minor in question is able/willing to pay my employer 100000rmb'.

 

Don't be stupid. Demand seeing the whole contract. In fact, don't even work for these clowns. 

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1718

Emperor

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I'm sorry but i agree with yian.   Do YOU think you should sign a 13 page contract that you haven't seen in entirety? 

Who would? Especially in China.

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1008

Shifu

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I would never sign anything that I didn't see all of and read carefully including the fine print

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 3318

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Are you retarded? No - you know what? Sign it.

 

Let us know what happens.

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1547

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This question has striking similarities to another question I was thinking about:

 

"Should I jump off the top of a 20 story building, because someone whom I've never met in another city told it would be ok, and I would be fine?  This would be for mutual beneficial cooperation. Also we can be friends."

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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 5539

Emperor

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should i marry a girl if i only saw her face????

11 years 45 weeks ago
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DaBen:

The four pages he saw weren't even together... so more you need to marry her if you've seen an elbow, eyebrow, and half a butt cheek.

11 years 45 weeks ago
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11 years 45 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1

General

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Of course not! Rule #1 in China:

 

Nothing ever is what it appears to be.

 

Of course that phrase sounds grammatically incorrect; however, Chinese businesses are eager to change or manipulate contracts sometimes before and after you've signed. Sometimes, they only requires foreigners to sign contracts as they believe we strongly value this practice. Of course, contracts mean a lot in European and Western cultures, but not here. To be safe, make sure you are happy with the contract before signing or moving forward. This is at least give you peace of mind. I left one job with PROMISES of moving to another. They waited until I resigned from my current job to tell me that they decided to retract their offer. They were upset that I didn't go for their 200rmb/phr to 80rmb/phr switch-a-roo. Figures..

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11 years 27 weeks ago
 
Posts: 24

Governor

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Do not sign any similar contract.When you are having lunch in a restaurant.Will you sign many bills but only let you see the total account?

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11 years 27 weeks ago
 
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