Can a school legally change your contract during the valid period?

Legal Legal - Work
1

I work in a public school in Taipei. Last month, my director told me that the Ministry of Education has changed the terms of my contract, mostly impacting my vacation days, and that I must sign the new contract to continue working with the school. I read it over carefully, decided that in my case the new terms are actually better for me, and agreed to sign.

However, yesterday the same thing happened to some of my coworkers, and their new contract stipulates they no longer have winter and summer vacations- they need to clock in for half days every day during the breaks. They’ve also been told that if they don’t sign, they’re out of a job. (And won’t you think of the children~~~~~)

This seems shady to me. Can your employer change the terms of your contract like that during the valid period? If they don’t sign, and are fired, do they have any legal recourse?

2

No.

I would ask your labour affairs office.

3

But you’re still sure your new contract has more favorable terms for you?

4

Thank you for your responses. In my case, yes; I lost all of my discretional vacation days, but in return I get $3k more per month and I don’t have to work summers or winters (previously I did have to).

5

That’s odd that they gave you a more favorable contract but not your co-workers. Good deal though :slight_smile: Anyway, I assume the answer is also “they can’t do that”.

6

Yeah, I feel bad! But I think it’s because they both went through the same middleman agency, while I was a direct hire.

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