Probation

[aTomsLife]

Though interested in getting back into the classroom, with the crackdown on illegal workers I'm concerned about the probationary period a lot of schools impose on their western teachers.

Having taught at a technical college, a government elementary school, as well as a couple language schools, the latter is the best fit for me. Is there anyone in BKK who can lend some insight into the situation? Are language schools being closely monitored there? What are the odds of being caught, and thus deported, during those initial 3 to 6 months while in visa limbo? Thanks.

[cgphuket]

I can understand working a bit without a work permit, and the employer has a little time to get it sorted, but there is no reason to work without a visa. I have never started a job in Thailand without a proper visa. Be careful or change employers.

[Scott]

Not being fully legal is always a risk, but some time ago, we had an employee who got into a heap of trouble due to a forged document (not forged by him, but forged by a Thai staff person at the school). I got to spend considerable time sitting with him at Immigration Detention. He was not put in a cell, but he was not free to go.

In talking with the Immigration officer, he said that as long as the paperwork has been submitted, they do not take any legal action.

Whether you take the risk or not is your decision, but if you do, make sure that every effort is made to get you legal as reasonably quickly as possible.

[SlyAnimal]

imo if they won't apply for a visa & work permit etc for you during your probation period, then don't accept the job. Or simply tell them that you want a shorter probation period, since they should be able to tell whether they want you to continue or not within 2-4 weeks. And since they'll need to do all of the paperwork + pay for a WP/Visa regardless if they do want to keep you, it's not worth beating around the bush which only creates uncertainty for both you and them (As well as being technically illegal).

[cup-O-coffee]

imo if they won't apply for a visa & work permit etc for you during your probation period, then don't accept the job. Or simply tell them that you want a shorter probation period, since they should be able to tell whether they want you to continue or not within 2-4 weeks. And since they'll need to do all of the paperwork + pay for a WP/Visa regardless if they do want to keep you, it's not worth beating around the bush which only creates uncertainty for both you and them (As well as being technically illegal).

That is a good point, and I agree. What gets me is that Thais focus on integrity of the law regarding visas, but turn that integrity into mush by not offering a place for foreigners to go and report schools who say things but not do things.

Why can't a foreign teacher, who is lured into a teaching position on false promises of work permits, go to the same immigration and report the school for delaying the process, or lying and not putting out?

Why can't Thailand also focus on enforcing businesses to do what they say, or else penalizing them heavily.

This all stinks of yet another notch in the belt of sticking it to the foreigner... and if that doesn't work, then try something else to stick it to the foreigner again.

And they wonder why they have no skilled workforce, or are afraid to learn English, or have problems with sex and pregnancies in their youth, and a whole lot of other things...

[SOTIRIOS]

....the potential employer should be obliged to dish out all of 3500 baht...or 50/50 with the employee.....

[ubonjoe]

A post quoting a post out of context has been removed. Please use the quote function to do quotes.

[Rhys]

Need to follow the regs..because in your situation with the L-school... you're on your own.

[aTomsLife]

If it's really all just a question of visa fees for them, I'd be tempted to lay it out myself to avoid working illegally. The problem of course is that I'd probably never see that money again, and I'd be setting yet another precedent for how to screw over western teachers.

[samuibruno]

had a friend who did this

the school just kept making excuses and delayed things for close to a year

when the person left the school refused to pay monies owing

teacher couldnt really complain as was technically working illegally

sounds like a con to me

[maidee]

work legally and you have nothing to fear, except the students in your class

[louse1953]

If you are gunna worry for 6 months about being deported,i rekon you can answer your own question.

[Eliot Rosewater]

In my opinion there is no such thing as a probation period. It is just an excuse for the school to delay doing any paperwork on your behalf. Plus, if they don't like you; they can fire you with no consequence.

[Mencken]

I agree with the above. Six months probation, are you serious? Do not work at that school, lol.

You should have your wp in 90 days. If not, give them another month. Ask to see the paperwork on the day you are paid. If none, leave.

<snip>

Edited February 23, 2015 by Jai Dee
removed vulgar reference

[rct99q]

had a friend who did this

the school just kept making excuses and delayed things for close to a year

when the person left the school refused to pay monies owing

teacher couldnt really complain as was technically working illegally

sounds like a con to me

If your friend did not violate any conditions of his or her contract they have the option of filing a grievance with the local labor board over unpaid wages (if said friend has got a copy or not). Local labor boards do not care if working without permit but generally are there to protect the workers rights.

As well a probation period works for both parties as the employee can leave without notice as well if they do not like the work and receive their full pay for the hours put in. That being said it is still against the law to work without the correct visa and wp.