Ask Headmaster Ken

Yes, the result was that the manager said "you can leave if you want to" and I said "no I don't want to have to do that." The only concession I got was that he gave me permission to do outside work.

I accept and appreciate the advice given.

I hope others learn from it.

Same thing happened to me. The school changed my contract start date AFTER I arrived. Where I am from (US/Philippines) both parties have to accept changes to the contract for it to be legal/accepted.

The date was changed due to them not sending me the proper stamped and signed work permit, which caused a two-week delay in getting the proper paperwork. Now we are only talking about a half month's wages, but I'm being penalized for their mistake.

I know by reading replies that the Chinese company (supposedly affiliated with an Australian university) has every right to do such a thing, but expats coming here should be informed of this.

First time this happened to me in 20 years of teaching in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

My personal experience has been that once you venture east of Europe, e.g., southeast Asia, west Asia (Middle East) contracts don't have the same meaning that they do in the West: They primarily protect the employer, not the foreign employee.