School unwilling to pay for work done?

Posted in: Forums > Living in Kunming • 13 posts • Newest

• • Smillz
    November 11, 2009
    27 posts
  • I have a problem- I am teaching part-time at a school. I am supposed to be paid every month, on the 1st of the month. Last month they didn't pay me until the 8th. I decided to give them one more chance, but here it is the 11th and they still have not paid me for last month's work, and have told me that they will not pay me until next week. Does anyone have any ideas for me? I'm tempted to quit the school and post a thread warning other teachers not to work for this place, but I'm not sure if that is a good idea. Anyone's opinion is welcome.

• • Ouyang
    November 11, 2009
    118 posts
  • A few days late is one thing, but more than a week?? Two months in a row?? If that happened I'd tell them to start paying once a week, and if they are more than a day late then stop teaching until they pay you.

• • Liumingke1234
    November 11, 2009
    90 posts
  • I agree. I work at Webi and they pay on the 5th. Sometimes it's not in the bank until the 6th or 7th but never had any problems. I agree with Quyang. There is something suspicious happening. Beware!

• • DaMiao
    November 12, 2009
    61 posts
  • Fell free to post their name,Smillz. Personally,I would prefer to be forewarned, rather than discover later, that the school can not pay it's staff.
    Thanx.

• • Bernie
    November 12, 2009
    100 posts
  • You could ask, why? Then analyze the answer. I've experienced late payments for years, but nothing ever went unpaid ... finally.

• • hedgepig
    November 12, 2009
    275 posts
  • i guess it's an issue of trust. do you trust them to eventually pay? they did before, so maybe they will again.

    many businesses face cash flow issues, especially when starting out, and they're often for very good reasons. perhaps talking with the management about the reasons, and agreeing a (solid) revised payment date might help with your peace of mind.

    working unpaid sucks, and if the trust isn't there, do yourself a favour and walk.

• • Smillz
    November 13, 2009
    27 posts
  • Thanks everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it.

• • Elisa
    November 16, 2009
    32 posts
  • Is this a job you got from an ad posted here on GoKunming? If so, it would really be nice if you could give a little more info. i.e. which ad, the school, and an update on your situation. I'm really sorry you have to deal with this, but you might be able to help other people.

• • onlyone
    November 16, 2009
    136 posts
  • I never trusted any school here or there .to solve it i always aske them to pay me in advance if not possible i ask weekly or have a mont payment .You also need to hold a contract to keep ypur rights !.Post the name of the school is the last solution.

• • Ouyang
    November 16, 2009
    118 posts
  • part-time usually means no work visa. A contract won't do any good if you're working illegally to begin with.

• • nnoble
    November 16, 2009
    178 posts
  • Smillz, you are probably becoming aware that language teaching can be a racket. Dodgy schools, unqualified teachers, all hovering around increasingly desperate students like vultures. Whilst considering your own predicament and how to deal with it, also please give some consideration for students. If exposing bad practice can in some way help aspiring Kunming students then please do so. Good luck in finding a school that treats teachers and students in a professional manner by offering quality teaching at a reasonable price.

• • Smillz
    November 18, 2009
    27 posts
  • Thanks again for everyone's input. I finally got paid, and I ended my employment with the school. However, I've decided not to post the school's name, because I know that the school was not maliciously withholding my pay- they are just having some financial problems. I would feel bad harming their reputation when they are already having so many troubles.

• • Danmairen
    November 18, 2009
    427 posts
  • That sounds to me as an even better reason to disclose the school's name since they probably will be looking for other foreign teachers to replace the ones who left. If the school I was going to start a job with had "many troubles" and "financial problems" as well as a history of delayed payments I for one would love to know. At least that would encourage new teachers to get some kind of guarantee that they would get paid somehow.

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