Other Duties As Assigned

In every job I've held, there have been what the contract calls "other duties as assigned"-- extra tasks which, while not part of the regular job, are from time to time required. When these become too onerous, employees call for more staff. American workers cannot be pushed beyond what they see as the limits of fairness, and our employers know this.

This is not true in every society. At the University of Shandong at Weihai, an experimental summer session was recently instituted. Faculty were required to teach in a full-time program lasting a month with no additional pay. No formal protest occurred, for this is not permitted. Universitie are agencies of government, and the professors' acquiescence, along with the attendance of students, were simply demanded. Morale is low for both teachers and students, but life goes on.

It is difficult for an Americans to understand how this situation is possible. The explanation lies in both politics and culture. Despite its economic growth, China is still an authoritarian society where one party rules. In addition, Confucian ideas stressing obedience to authority have influenced this culture for 2500 years.

Above: View of Shandong University at Weihai