Even with a signed contract there are problems. I recently attempted a transfer from one college to the other on the same university campus. I had worked at the first college for three years. My new contract was signed by both parties; that is, it became a valid contract. Unfortunately someone at the first college decided - apparently out of spite because I chose not to return for a fourth year - to inform the new college that I am "not cooperative;" therefore, the dean of the new college refused to honor the new contract.

I too contacted a lawyer because this created all kinds of problems for me that I won't detail here. The lawyer assured me that the civil law clearly states that if a contract is breached for no apparent reason, the employee is owed three months salary. However, he also said that it would probably be a useless endeavor to try to collect that three months salary.

Bottom line is that when it comes to the law regarding the hiring and firing of FTs we're pretty much left out in the cold. Contracts mean nothing to the Chinese. For them there's always a loophole. One can only hope for their honesty. However, what I've noticed over the years is that they are only honest when it serves their own interest.