Standards: last minute contracting?

[burlives]

Once again I have encountered what seems to be a phenomenon in bigger Zhejiang schools: "we don't usually sign the contracts until work begins in September."

Last time I was offered that, it was at such an insecure time for me that it was a deal breaker. This time, maybe I can swallow it, if I have to.

I've made a detailed verbal agreement with this school on salary, working hours, the departments in which I'll work, the actual teaching location, and a couple of perks like housing over the summer -- and now they do this!

Any thoughts on this as a warning sign, any experiences in practice, any worries about the apparent downward trend of professional standards?

[Lotus Eater]

I ahd made general email agreements prior to coming, and the contract was given to us for signing about 6 weeks after we arrived - as far as I know it is still sitting in most people's desk drawers with little/no pressure to sign. I made a couplem of chagnes on mine, took it in and they initialled the changes in 2 sweconds - signed with no drama. The half return airfare turned up in the bank with no problems.

Only nuisance has been the provision of a single bedroom apartment rather than 2 bedroom that I had negotiated - but when friends comne I can use this for deals at the hotel and with the spare apartments.

Contracts don't seem to ahve any urgency here - but they pay on time and so far do pretty mu\ch what they agreed without the contract.

[burlives]

Yeah, I know.

I once worked about 5 months with a contract waiting to be signed. It's just that when someone directly says, we've made an agreement but we won't be signing until later, it rubs me where I don't want to be touched.

I suppose I know it's just management being dumbasses about organisation but I can't shake the worry that it's a tactic rather than a habit.