Am I getting screwed?

[u/Electrical-Radish-86]

I recently signed a full-time English teaching contract at a training center/school in Suzhou Industrial Park. My base salary is 24k RMB/month for the first year and 26k RMB/month for the second year.

However, there are a few clauses that are making me a bit uneasy. Since I've already signed, I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this smoothly or what to watch out for.

Here are the main details:

• Housing: no housing provided
• Summer Break: The contract explicitly states "there is no regular monthly salary during the summer break." So I don’t get paid during summer,
• Penalties: Unauthorized absence results in a 3-day salary deduction per day missed. Also, if I breach, they can ask for up to 2 months' salary plus preparation expenses.
• Visas: They sponsor the work visa and residence permit, but I paid for my initial overseas visa fees and medical exam.

Questions:

1. How common is an unpaid summer break for a standard 2-year fixed contract like this?
2. How manageable is 24k–26k in Suzhou when you are paying your own rent out of pocket and budgeting for the summer gap?
3. Any general survival tips for dealing with these kinds of stricter school contracts?

Appreciate any insights!

[u/Upper_Armadillo1644]

I wouldn't say screwed, overall is like 20k a month which I don't think is a terrible offer but also in no way a great offer. Any end of year bonus or anything else?

[u/Tapeworm_fetus → u/Upper_Armadillo1644]

26k in Suzhou for an inexperienced TEFL teacher with essentially no qualifications is quite good.

Training centers don’t generally have summer vacation so not getting paid for that is pretty typical. The clauses about unauthorized absences are the only thing concerning.

[u/Electrical-Radish-86 → u/Tapeworm_fetus]

I had about 9 years of experience working in suzhou. Salary sounds okay but I believe i was actually screwed,

[u/Tapeworm_fetus → u/Electrical-Radish-86]

I don't know why you think you'd get screwed. The salary is strong, plus there is an additional month's salary at the end of the contract. Holidays are strong since they follow a traditional school calendar. 26k is extremely manageable and, as I have said, quite good in Suzhou. Unless you have some graduate degrees, QTS, etc., that you haven't shared, I don't think you can expect a better offer.

The only things I would ask about are teaching hours, contact hours, office hours, etc. But it sounds to me like this could be a surprisingly strong offer.

[u/Electrical-Radish-86 → u/Upper_Armadillo1644]

20,000rmb end of contract bonus,

[u/BotherBeginning2281]

Summer break, in a training centre?

That's weird. Usually summer is the busiest time, as it's when they run extra classes/courses during the week, as all the kids are out of school.

[u/Electrical-Radish-86 → u/BotherBeginning2281]

it’s located inside a high school and dedicated to helping them get into universities overseas. we would improve their English skills. Since they’re hs students, they would have their summer break with their families.

[u/missmermaid420 → u/Electrical-Radish-86]

And what do you expect them to do during summer break? If they want to go to a uni abroad, they will definitely be doing summer English programs.

[u/Electrical-Radish-86 → u/missmermaid420]

I don’t.know how it works but they don’t operate in the summer.

[u/Traditional_Day_9737]

Housing: every job I've had with housing provided has been shitty apartments. At this point in my life I'd rather have the freedom to pick my own home.

Summer pay: I've had a few jobs like this and while not great, it's also not bad if you plan ahead and allow for that. Even with paying your own housing it should be possible to save a bit if you're not hitting the bars every night. 

Penalties: how is unauthorized absence defined? Is there a reasonable provision for sick days? The two months breach of contract thing is basically only enforceable on their part if you warn them/stay in the city or province. That kind of thing is why it's so common for people to pull runners to get out of bad jobs. 

Visa: I think that's pretty standard for China.

[u/Independent_Page_986]

Looks like a reasonable entry-level position. Try to switch companies for better pay in the second year unless you are prohibited by contract/visa

[u/Electrical-Radish-86 → u/Independent_Page_986]

Entry level is ok but I’ve been doing this for several years. I didn’t know what I was getting into

[u/missmermaid420]

Most of it seems normal except the penalties, whi I hear is sometimes put in contracts but not sure how enforceable it is legally.

Apartments in Suzhou will be anywhere from 3k-5k+ RMB, that salary is plenty to live in luxury and enjoy all Suzhou has to offer.

[u/One-Relationship-585]

6k rmb in Suzhou gets you a modern-ish 3 bedroom. Pretty common to not pay summer in the case of no kids there. Suzhou is cheaper than Shanghai. Unauthorised may just mean without a doctor’s note - best ask them about that! Easy to get a note, but they are obv banking on it being easier for you to just make it into work! 

Some of these things they put into contracts dont turn out to be legal, but who’s fighting them in the courts for a few hundred bucks? With no housing or summer pay, you’re getting 20k a month over the year minus tax and housing…you can save maybe up to $1000 a month depending on how well you live. Ask them if they help with the housing deposit…that’s a big upfront expense

[u/Square-Stranger7262]

bro switch to vietnam