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Human Resources Policy: Healthy Interactions (Updated: 2018)

Preamble/Situational Context

The purpose of this policy is to outline the steps and procedures that Teachers and Teaching Assistants of our international school program should use if they find themselves in an unsatisfactory situation in the work place. All employees of our international school work directly for Jinan Boda International Education and Consultation Co., Ltd. which in turn gets its authority to operate as a provincial branch of the China Scholarship Council. Their main purpose is to provide Chinese students the opportunities to study internationally. To this end they are involved in sponsoring university transfer and exchange programs between overseas and Chinese Universities, and act as the contracted partner in providing foreign teachers and programs at a number of public schools in Qingdao. (Shengli No. 1 and Qingdao #58 Canadian Programs, Qingdao #9 American Program, and an Italian High school Program.) In the context of our Canadian International Schools, even though your contract is signed with the local Chinese School for the purposed of accreditation with Alberta Education, the Canadian Principal is the Direct supervisor of all foreign teachers and staff. They report directly to Ms. Yang who is the director of the Jinan Boda International Education and Consultation Co., Ltd. Further to this administrative authority, a local principal and Director are in charge of the daily operations of their respective school and report to administration. Ms. Zhang also works jointly with Chinese administration in supervising the needs of the Teaching or Educational Assistants that work at each of the school locations. As the respective school locations would be considered small schools (1A or 2A) in Canada and the number of staff members is limited, it is especially important that the staff culture is positive and that staff members work together as a professional community for the benefit of all students and staff. There may be misunderstandings and staff may find that they are unhappy with some situations that arise. Therefore, it is important that procedures be mapped out so that all may know the proper avenue of resolving these situations for the benefit of all involved.

Procedure for Problem Solving:

1. Healthy Interactions means that:

b. Staff should follow the Code of Ethics in terms of dealing with problems in the workplace. Teachers are expected to communicate unsatisfactory situations to the party involved before taking it to a higher level. Clear communication to a second party should be made about any incident of concern to the first party. This is a basic and logical first step. All problems are best solved at the lowest level.

c. If the two parties can find a satisfactory solution to a situation then that is the best place for this occur without any other people being involved. d. It may take some tact and professional courage to approach someone in this type of situation.

e. This does give the opportunity for misunderstandings and miscommunications to be cleared up before the problem develops into a larger issue.

2. If there is no agreed upon solution after the first stage, one or both parties can bring their concern to their immediate supervisor. For teacher’s this would be the Local School Principal or Director. For TA’s this could be the same or also Ms. Zhang. The local school administrator will then proceed with the following:

a. Conduct interviews with the parties involved to ascertain the nature of the incident.

b. Hold a mediation meeting with the parties to see if a solution can be reached.

c. Bring the problem to stage three if necessary.

d. Use an Interest (*) based approach to mediation as opposed to a Position based approach.

3. If parties have not reached a satisfactory solution to their concern, the matter may be brought to the attention of the Company Director. They will follow the same steps in stage 2 with the addition of possibly making a final decision about how all parties need to proceed if agreement cannot be made at this stage.

(*) Interest based mediation suggests that each party will describe his or her needs and what they would like to get out of the meeting. Following discussion will revolved around these interests and lead toward common interests that can be agreed upon. This meeting would avoid setting parties into positions that are more difficult to mediate which may be more unproductive in leading to a satisfactory agreement.

Exception:

a. In the case that the direct supervisor is the second party in a concerning situation, after stage one, an employee can go to that person’s supervisor for stage two mediation. 

b. In the case that the concern about a peer or supervisor involves illegal activity or would cause physical or emotional harm to students or others, the concern should be brought directly to the administrator or Company Director who will notify the appropriate authorities and deal with the situation directly.

Management Regulation of Foreign Experts

*The following information is taken directly from The School Policy and translated into English.*

In order to maintain school dignity, the seriousness of foreign work and ensure efficiency from foreign teachers at our school, the following management regulations for foreign experts (teachers) will apply. Foreign teachers who have signed the formal employment contract are to closely abide by the following regulations as Sino Canadian teachers in the Alberta Teaching Program:

I. During the contract period, foreign teachers are to adhere to China’s laws and School policies, respect Chinese customs; with no intervention into sensitive political issues, and refrain from inappropriate unethical practices.

II. After arriving in Qingdao, foreign teachers are to cooperate with their respective schools to deal with the documents on their Work Visas as required.

III. Discipline

1. Start and dismiss class on time. Being late or leaving early is not an acceptable practice.

2. Teachers cannot change or cancel classes without formal notice.

3. A teacher cannot substitute classes without formal notice. If it’s really necessary to change, switch, or cancel classes, foreign teachers need to inform the Sino Canadian Program Assistant one week in advance and they will talk to school authorities. With the school’s permission, a substitution will be granted.

4. Practices irrelevant to teaching are not allowed in class. These include the use of a phone (calling, answering or texting) and consuming food.

5. Teachers are to relate to their students as a parent would in a kind and judicious manner.

6. Teachers are to dress appropriately when teaching.

7. Chewing gum is not allowed in the class.

8. It is considered inappropriate for teachers to openly criticize, berate or degrade the Chinese traditions and methods of teaching.

9. Teachers are to maintain the reputation for the whole school program in the highest regard.

10. Teachers are to inform the Sino Canadian Program Assistant one week in advance if they require a day or days off from their teaching assignments. If suitable arrangements for coverage can be made, such requested days off may be granted.

11. If a teacher calls in sick, they must obtain a doctor’s note. The salary and benefits for the sick days would be recalculated by the HR Department according to rules and regulation from the company. Sick day policy: 2 sick days per months (see contract)

12. Without permission, teachers cannot arrange for students to be enrolled in any private classes or charge their parents for any tutoring.

13. Without permission, teachers cannot teach for another school, agency, or organization as a part-time or full-time employee. Advertising for another agency is against school policy.

14. All equipment in the school offices and public areas are considered school property. Teachers must obtain permission from school authorities to take these items to their apartment or dorm for their personal use.

15. Teacher’s personal items should be paid for by themselves.

16. If teachers need teaching materials, they must submit a formal application two months in advance and clearly specify the reason and purpose for such items.

17. Teachers are to take good care of school provided properties in their both apartments and office. Notify Program Assistants about any needed repairs.