Employment Policies

Students who sign a contract with a Chinese employer will be required to work for the duration of the contract (usually 10-12 months). Students will only be allowed to change employment after the grievance process has occurred and Concordia University Irvine (CUI) has approved the transfer. The grievance process consists of:

1. meeting with and written letter to Work Supervisor (based on facts and evidence) – if unresolved or if issue is with Work Supervisor, then…
2. meeting with and written letter to Director/Principal (based on facts and evidence) – if unresolved, then…
3. meeting with and written letter to CUI Field Supervisor – if unresolved, then…
4. written letter to Dean of Asia Programs – Dr. Eugene P. Kim (Dr. Kim is responsible for final decisions regarding transfers).

If the student has established that holding a meeting with and writing a letter to the Work Supervisor, Director/Principal, or CUI Field Supervisor may cause harm or retaliation to the student, Dr. Kim may provide approval to skip the corresponding step #1, #2, or #3.

Throughout the grievance process, a meeting may be held together with an individual or individuals from previous steps (1-4).

Unacceptable reasons for resignation include higher pay/benefits/compensation at another company/school, relocation to another city, personality conflicts, and other personal reasons that are not in violation of their contract.

Possible reasons for resignation (as determined by CUI after completion of the four steps of the grievance process) include documented cases of harassment, breach of contract, unsafe working conditions and other actions that cause serious harm to students.

Transfers

If the grievance process has been followed, and CUI has approved the transfer, students may resign from their current positions. Students must give sufficient notice (as stipulated in their contract) and after that term may terminate employment with that employer and begin working elsewhere. Students are responsible for finding their own positions.

Program Termination

Students who do not follow the policies as stipulated above (e.g., resigning from their jobs without CUI’s approval) will be removed from the MAIS program. CUI will not reimburse any tuition, fees, or expenses incurred by the student. It is the student’s responsibility to exit the country unless he/she is able to find a legal means of staying.

Students who are fired from their jobs for reasons that include breach of contract, harassment, illegal activity, negligence of duties, or other improper behavior will be removed from the MAIS program.

Employers will be required to notify CUI before any students are fired from their jobs. If students are fired from their jobs, CUI will not reimburse any tuition, fees, or expenses incurred by the student. It is the student’s responsibility to exit the country unless he/she is able to find a legal means of staying.