Some time ago, I left a horrible work environment for a large private school in northeastern Taichung. I did so without giving notice due to having another offer on the table and the hostile work environment that had been established by the director.
Though there was language in the contract pertaining to a fine, I was given reasonable assurance that it was not enforceable - but given the nature of the work environment, thought perhaps this might come around in the end.
During tax season, I requested the tax forms that I needed to file my taxes and did so online (on time, no issues, no refund, no payment needed). To obtain the forms, I had to provide my address in Chinese to their payroll department - which was not a problem.
I have now been working at a new job since March and have established fantastic work relationships with everyone around me and built a solid rapport with my students. As the ONLY foreign teacher at this school, I have a celebrity persona. It is nice to have the smiles and laughter.
Yesterday, I received a message from a representative at my school indicating that they had received a notice from the Taichung City Court. In this notice, it was stated that I would have to pay a fine of ~70K NTD (a direct match for my salary at the previous job) and that it had to be paid in three installments (25K/25K/20K).
At no point was there any correspondence sent to me regarding the matter. At no point was my presence at the courthouse requested. At no point was any sort of negotiation for such a fine conducted. I found this to be odd, because not only was the notice NOT sent to ME…it was sent to my current employer.
Additionally, I found it odd because my GF found herself in a situation where she was being sued for dropping a customer’s iPhone. The two parties met with a third party to negotiate the amount to be paid and how it would be paid out. Correspondence pertaining to the issue was sent to her address and she had to go to court.
None of this took place with me and up until yesterday (seven months after my departure) I knew nothing of this situation. So…surprise! I am being fined! And surprise! It’s for 1/3 of my paycheck for 3 months. This amount is FAR too high and puts me in financial jeopardy - I’d like to know what the best course of action would be.
My current employer has offered to contact the court to work out something more reasonable…but I would like to know why I was never contacted, why the amount was determined without negotiation for what I am financially capable of paying, and why there was such a delay in this “fine”.
Such circumstances suggest this being more of a personal issue than a professional issue. Any comments or advice would be fantastic.