aTomsLife Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cgphuket Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 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. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Scott Posted February 15, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 15, 2015 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlyAnimal Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 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). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cup-O-coffee Posted February 16, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted February 16, 2015 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... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOTIRIOS Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 ....the potential employer should be obliged to dish out all of 3500 baht...or 50/50 with the employee..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 A post quoting a post out of context has been removed. Please use the quote function to do quotes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhys Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Need to follow the regs..because in your situation with the L-school... you're on your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aTomsLife Posted February 16, 2015 Author Share Posted February 16, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuibruno Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maidee Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 work legally and you have nothing to fear, except the students in your class Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louse1953 Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 If you are gunna worry for 6 months about being deported,i rekon you can answer your own question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliot Rosewater Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mencken Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct99q Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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