Binding Contracts?

[rohan]

Hi Everyone,

Im soon to arrive in Taiwan (2 weeks time) and Im wondering if I should secure a job before I leave. Im told I can do this with a phone interview.

However Im wondering how binding are the contracts? For me a contract is a contract and can't be broken... period. But what if the job offered before I get to Taiwan has been misrepresented or just not suitable. For example the location is very inconvenient or the environment is hostile (Im sure this is not the case but just as an example of things that may not be good).

Is it possible to terminate a contract and get work elsewhere or does one get a bad reputation for terminating a contract early even if there are valid reasons for doing so.

I guess at the end of the day while its useful to have a job already waiting for me there are risks accepting a contract before even meeting the people or seeing the school.

Any advise would be so much appreciated from more experienced teachers who have been there done that. (This is my first time to do this).

Many thanks and hope all are well
Rohan

[gfell]

It's a nice feeling to have a job setup and ready to walk into before you even arrive to a country. A phone interview helps only a little in understanding exactly what you are walking into.

Finding a job before arriving means both the applicant and agent / school takes on a certain degree of risk:

1. The job is not what you expected and you leave to find work elsewhere leaving the agent / school at a loss.
2. The agent / school that prehires you, doesn't like you from the start and will terminate your contract leaving you at a loss.

Feel free to edit a contract prior to signing it to suit your conditions. Something along the lines of:

If the position doesn't fulfil the description as outlines by the employer, then the teacher can terminate the contract with 7 days notice.

Am sure the school will no doubt have some clause to protect itself, so why not have a similar clause to protect yourself??

Cancelling a contract at the very beginning of your teaching career wont really tarnish your record. There are many school out there, and many do not talk to each other discussing things as teachers and business.

Hope this post has helped.

[rohan]

Dear Gfell,

Domo Arigato (I cant spell the part about 'gozaimashita')

You know its silly of me but I hadn't even considered the very obvious observation that the school is also subject to risk (because Im such anice guy *lol*). But of course, you're right, they too are taking a huge leap of faith. Even from that perspective alone you're advise is very timely and given me things to consider.

I also hadn't considered the option of adding a clause/rider to a contract myself... again what a dummy am I. I guess Im not seeing the trees for the forest..or is that the forest for the trees.

Many thanks for you time and advice, I will act on it for sure and see if I can T-Up a job first.

Rohan

[gfell]

My pleasure and very happy to help.

You did spell gozaimashita correctly too!

Off to bed now... getting way too late. Oyasumi.