I was a lecturer at a university some time ago; during the interview, in the presence of another foreign teacher, I asked the director of the department when I would start receiving my salary, and he very clearly said that my pay would begin from the first day of my contract—August 1—irregardless of the fact that classes didn’t start until September, and that I would be out of Taiwan for most of the summer.
When I got my first pay check I discovered that I only got paid for half of August. I went to the director, who basically told me “tough luck.” The school claims that according to the law, they don’t have to pay me for all of August because I wasn’t teaching during that month. I contacted the MOE, who also said “tough luck.” The CLA was a bit more helpful; they got the school to provide a written document explaining their reasons for not paying the full salary for the first month, although the document doesn’t mention anything about the deceitful director. The CLA basically said that universities are out of their jurisdiction, and wouldn’t do anything more about the case, i.e. “tough luck.”
Anyone out there ever had a similar experience? Any suggestions about where to take it from here? Is there any use in even trying?
I agree that it sounds like you got f*ed, and I can understand your angst, but allow me to take the other side of the argument - even though you were lied to, your damages here are not getting paid for half of a month where you weren’t doing any work. This doesn’t matter from a contractual perspective, especially if you had this on paper, but I suggest that it’s probably not worth your time.
More pointedly; Do you still work there? If they f*** you over before the first work day, why would you give them a second chance? I think if you look back in this thread, your going to find no end of horror stories like the OPs. Just move on and find something and someone who appreciates your efforts. They are there. You just have to look around.
IMHO, there are precious few employers here who appreciate the efforts of foreign teachers, and precious few of those who will put their money where their mouth is. Further, changing jobs here is not as easy as in one’s home country since our existence here is tied to our employer and breaking contracts can threaten that.
I’m not saying the OP shouldn’t consider looking around, but I don’t think finding that gem is as easy as suggested.
[quote=“bhavana”]I was a lecturer at a university some time ago; during the interview, in the presence of another foreign teacher, I asked the director of the department when I would start receiving my salary, and he very clearly said that my pay would begin from the first day of my contract—August 1—irregardless of the fact that classes didn’t start until September, and that I would be out of Taiwan for most of the summer.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.[/quote]
Maybe you forgot to get it written on paper exactly how much you get paid for the summer break… maybe it’s half pay… maybe the director forgot to tell you that…