Can they stop me going? - Ajarn Forum

Lor Ling · 27th August 2008, 15:28

OK, so here's the sketch.

I'm quite bored of life in BKK, and my wife's always fancied learning Chinese, so about 10 days ago I started applying for jobs there.

Got two solid offers to work in Changchun Province, up where it gets really freakin' cold in winter (Christ I miss seasons).

Only snag is that according to the mentalist conditions of my uni contract I'm supposed to give three, yes that's THREE months notice.

I've to be in Jilin Province about 7 weeks from now for the better job of the two (in a uni).

Now I've had my run-ins with my boss where I'm at, and indeed threatened a few weeks ago to quit and go back my old job. We had a pow wow and I said I'd stay. But the heat, miscommunication etc are getting on my nerves.

Could my boss be c*nty and insist I serve out my notice? Then if I didn't, could I queer the pitch, so to speak, for my getting future employment in LOS?

Prolly they wouldn't bother (who wants a demotivated farang giving out bad vibes?) but has anyone ever broken the terms of their contract / known of someone else who has?

Anyone hear of anyone ever getting fined for such a thing?

Your input valued,

L. Ling

Nick · 27th August 2008, 15:32

Run and don't look back, mate.

kenkannif · 27th August 2008, 15:33

I think if they really really really really wanted to make your life difficult, they can...but they probably won't mate.

Still....wouldn't you want them to honour the three months if it was you getting booted? Fair IS fair mate!!!

I know tons of people that have broken contacts.....with no problemo!!! Still there's always a first time and it makes it that much harder for the next Western teacher there!!!

Also for future reference....don't sign a contract, or have it changed....if you don't agree with it.

crew · 27th August 2008, 15:38

^ gotta go with KK on this one.

kenkannif · 27th August 2008, 15:41

^ Yep have to reverse it mate and see if you'd be happy with the same:

School: So LL chap....sorry and all that we've had a better teacher apply for the job, wants less money as well...so you know that three months' notice? Well sorry.....bye!!!

Talk to them, maybe offer to find a replacement etc. Be fair mate!!! Also your new school might be able to hang on for a bit, and I think they'd 'respect' you if you told them 'sorry my contract says I have to give 3 months notice where I am currently'. Not long until October/November is it? So surely they can wait until then?

If you have a work permit etc. with them...and tax etc. they can also fuck with these.

robitusson · 27th August 2008, 15:47

Dunno about the contracts or jobs, but as far as leaving the 'kok is concerned, go for it LL!

ralphlsasser · 27th August 2008, 16:46

I've never heard of a school causing a problem with anyone wanting to break a contract. But, remember this IS thailand, so anything can happen.

Ice Maiden · 27th August 2008, 17:00

Would it really be such an issue telling China to wait three months? When I first read your post I was agreeing with Nick but I guess you have to look at the bigger picture. You wouldn't want to fuck up your future work prospects, non?

reinvented · 27th August 2008, 17:04

nah ling
ignore the do-gooders
they wont lose any sleep over your dissapearence and they'll only be bad to your successor if they are small minded fucks
as marcellus wallace says, thats yer conscience fucking with ya...

but you will have to live with leaving them in the lurch; speak to em , see hopw they feel about it, maybe work out a compromise date if you are not losing any bonus etc.

Ice Maiden · 27th August 2008, 17:05

Is China not getting a refrence from them?

pai nai ma · 27th August 2008, 17:29

Changchun (Jilin Province) ain't no picnic. Do your homework.

Killing Me Softly 101 · 27th August 2008, 17:36

Anything that a person can contract to do. Can be contacted to "undo". IE. Go to them. It is 7 weeks. Try to make a comfortable negotiation with them. Try not to burn the bridge.

Asper · 27th August 2008, 18:21

Seven weeks would carry you through to the end of this term. Three months would put you smack in the middle of the next one.

IF they are reasonable, I'm sure they'd see the wisdom of letting you off the hook. Talk to them.

fencesitter · 27th August 2008, 19:08

Mate, I would advise that you do a TON of research before setting off to China. Don't know many foreigners who have been able to survive in the less, shall we say, foreigner friendly cities. A uni in China is a lot different than other countries and you might be stuck with a shit admin...coulped with the fact that you are in the middle of China with little to do...I would never advise a friend to live in China unless he/she were in Guangzhou, Beijing or Shanghai. The better choice would be to apply at my school...they're looking for a teacher and pay pretty good (about 2,500US a month plus a whole lot of extras and about 3 months paid holidays..) PM if you want details...

kikiat · 27th August 2008, 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenkannif

^ Yep have to reverse it mate and see if you'd be happy with the same:

School: So LL chap....sorry and all that we've had a better teacher apply for the job, wants less money as well...so you know that three months' notice? Well sorry.....bye!!!

Talk to them, maybe offer to find a replacement etc. Be fair mate!!! Also your new school might be able to hang on for a bit, and I think they'd 'respect' you if you told them 'sorry my contract says I have to give 3 months notice where I am currently'. Not long until October/November is it? So surely they can wait until then?

If you have a work permit etc. with them...and tax etc. they can also fuck with these.

my current employer (a government school) asked me to ditch my old one (language school) I still had to do less than 2 weeks with the language school.

The government school had a teacher bail out mid-term, so they were desperate, I still let them wait 2 weeks though.

and to the OP who is going to stop you? do they have a big-ass bouncer at the gate stopping your arse from going to China?, there is pretty much 0 consequences for you.

Do you really want to waste another 3 months of your life somewhere you don't want to be?

They've been a bunch of arseholes to you anyway right? it's not like there was a wonderful work situation created for you.