Need some advice - where do we stand?

Thank you for your detailed question. Most people tend to leave a five word sentence and an open ended statement.

Your situation is more complex than it need be. Please do not be insulted, but I suggest that you handled it poorly. If the school owner / manager is Chinese your REALLY handled it poorly. If they were Chinese, I would suggest that you take him out to a dinner and both of you have some beers together and try to rebuild your relationship.

If he is a westerner, then YEAH he is acting like a dick.

Firstly medicine... You can get any medicine in China. You do not need a prescription to get it. You show the bottle or the name on a piece of paper and hand it to the girl int he pharmacy. I was able to just about any medicine this way including expensive brain surgery medicine. You do NOT need to go back the the UK to do this.

Breaking a contract is serious in that there will be consequences. You might not be able to come back to China. You might not be able to find other work.  You might end up being perma-banned for ten years. Be careful.

I think that you are acting like a Brit. Not an insult. Just saying. Sorry, but China does not think the way that people from England do. Contracts are negotiable. You need to communicate and work a friendship angle and offer something for them to offer something back.

I would advise you to grovel and make piece with your employer. Then try to look at things differently. Ask for help in ways to accomplish your goals without breaking your contract. Best of luck.

Hey Vannrox!

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Excuse the length, I wanted to paint a picture of our scene.

Yes our boss is Chinese, we have a good relationship thankfully. As it is such a small school, (only about 12 staff members, Chinese and foreign) we would hang out, go for dinner together and have our weekly poker night every Monday
I understand the culture is different but feel it's a bit petty how things have become.
Since we first spoke we know longer are invited to anything. Quite obvious with such a small group. But we prefer to be civil and maintain respect and friendliness with our boss and colleagues, whether we are included now or not. No point creating bigger grievances.

Unfortunately my medication cannot be obtained easily. It is a controlled licensed medication, meaning i had to apply for a license to bring it out of the UK with me. During spring holiday I travelled to Nanjing and Shanghai and visited international clinics and they do not have it.
Trust me, if it was easy to get, I wouldn't be returning to the UK :p haha.

Had another chat with her, she has agreed to give some flight money, but no probably no other fees listed in the contract. Win some you lose some.

it's a very sad tale.

Do you have a solid chinese contract and prove your employer is breaching some clauses?
if so, you should go the nearest Labour Arbitration Office in Hulunbuir or Hulunbeier and report the matter, maybe with crying red eyes

in mandarin:

内蒙古呼鲁贝尔市劳动仲裁局

address:

海拉尔区河东胜利大街24号 



Now, if they didn't do anything about it or you remployer dont give a flying F and you would like to play a little bit nasty then keep reading:

Do you have any  interaction with parents? if not, do you think you could organize kids-parents activities ?

Spread the word that your contracts are being terminated by the beginning of this summer because of the greedy  owner and she is going to squeeze more kids into remaining classes and replace all foreign staff with local unskilled teachers.
BTW, It did work for a Kiwi guy here in Shanghai 3 years ago.

and please do report back...

good luck!

Hi Shanghaidriver,

I appreciate your advice.

We will keep your advice in mind for sure. HOPEFULLY it doesn't come to that but it is helpful to be given that advice. Thanks!

Our boss had agreed we can book our flights home so just the money being paid was the issue.
She has been pretty understanding about the medication, even using her contacts to try to find it in China, but no success. So I don't want to sound like I'm only speaking bad about her.

A Kiwi guy had a similar problem, did he? Glad to hear it was resolved...in the end!

We've got her word that she will 'think about paying us some' so we shall see haha.

Will report back

Thanks!

@Nustun

HK used to be a British colony. Go on line and see how easy it is for you to get the medication there. My guess is that it wouldn't be so difficult. Then take a domestic flight to Shenzhen and cross the border. You'd be in and out in hours and get your meds without having to go all the way to the UK.

Best of luck.

I am not sure what you medication is but I have a teacher who has the same issue.  We buy the meds in HK and have them shipped here.  We have to do this every 6 months.  It is legal for the most part and without his meds he can't function.  BTW, don't be disagreeable with your boss, if you plan to work ever again in China they you need her to give you a recommendation and release letter otherwise no legal company here can hire you.  BTW I know because I'm the foreign teacher manager for a company in Changchun and we hire teachers (my job) so I know a few things.  If you want to move to Changchun contact me, maybe we can get your employer to work with us and "flip" your paperwork here.  I have a few teachers I may be able to swap with her.  LOL

If she is violating her contract then it may be your duty to make sure other future employees know this.  Post the school name online to warn them if it is not resolved satisfactory.

To Irai -- You stated you are in Changchun.  Can you give me some insights as to the city, metropolitan area, and a general overview of the area ?  I am thinking of relocating there from the US.  You can start a separate thread if you wish instead of bogging down this one.  Thanks !  --Robert

I have sent you a personal email

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for the advice and how many people have chimed in.

We were happy with the agreement of a reduced flight bonus and no other fee reimbursement.
We have continued to work, no days off etc. Even the extra things thrown in for free; teaching English at random banks, many more class demos, competitions, covering other teachers drunk cancellations etc. I enjoy teaching the kids and it'll keep our boss happy.
And now she has said no more money will be paid!

Sorry, I'm just airing things out rather than looking for advice. Just frustrated.
Now it is the week before we leave, we are packing and closing accounts etc soon, she has texted to say she isn't paying the bonus because we are leaving. Arggghhhh!!
Attempts at rational conversation and she feels in further by saying she will limit July's days pay too. The babyish and spiteful behaviour is ridiculous.
Rant over.

All In This Thread --

Is this typical behavior, or extremely isolated, or somewhere in the middle ? 

Sorry you are going through this.  I'm sure it will leave a bad taste in your mouth and throw a shadow over your awesome memories there.  Stay strong, have your papers in order when you depart, and good luck wherever you guys go next.

-- Robert