láodòng hétong: 劳动合同 - Labor Contract, Employment Contract

• Keywords: laodong hetong, lao dong he tong, 劳动合同, labor contract in China, Chinese employment contract, working in China contract, signing a contract in China, job contract, China labor law
• Summary: A 劳动合同 (láodòng hétong), or labor contract, is a legally binding employment contract in China. This essential document outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the employer and the employee, covering salary, working hours, and termination conditions. Understanding the laodong hetong is crucial for anyone planning to work in China, as this Chinese employment contract provides vital legal protection under China's labor law.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): láodòng hétong
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5+ (The individual characters are common, but the term itself is specific to legal/business contexts).
• Concise Definition: A formal, legally binding written agreement between an employer and an employee in China.
• In a Nutshell: A `劳动合同` is the single most important document for anyone formally employed in mainland China. It's not just an “offer letter”; it's a government-regulated contract that makes your employment official and legal. It protects the employee by clearly stating the job terms, salary, and conditions for termination, and it's the foundation for obtaining a work permit and residence permit for foreigners.

• 劳 (láo): Refers to “labor,” “work,” or “toil.” It signifies effort and exertion.
• 动 (dòng): Means “to move,” “action,” or “to act.”
• 合 (hé): Means “to combine,” “join,” or “unite.” The character's form suggests a lid fitting perfectly onto a container, symbolizing agreement.
• 同 (tóng): Means “same,” “alike,” or “together.” It implies that all parties are in accord.

The characters combine to form two distinct words: `劳动 (láodòng)` means “labor” or “work,” and `合同 (hétong)` means “contract.” Together, `劳动合同 (láodòng hétong)` literally and accurately translates to “labor contract.”

The `劳动合同` is more than just a legal document; it reflects a core aspect of modern Chinese society's approach to work and stability.

• Contrast with Western “At-Will” Employment: In many Western countries, particularly the United States, “at-will” employment is common. This means an employer can terminate an employee for any reason (that isn't illegal discrimination) without warning. In China, this concept does not exist for formal employees. The `劳动合同` system, governed by the strict Labor Contract Law of the People's Republic of China, requires a cause for termination that is stipulated within the contract and the law.
• State Protection and Stability (稳定 - wěndìng): The system is designed to provide stability and protect the rights of the employee. While the old “iron rice bowl” (铁饭碗, tiě fànwǎn) of guaranteed lifetime employment is a thing of the past, the `劳动合同` ensures a high degree of predictability and legal recourse for workers. This state-mandated protection is a cornerstone of social harmony and stability, which are highly prized values in Chinese culture. For an employer, firing an employee without legal cause and proper procedure can be very difficult and costly.

In modern China, the `劳动合同` is a mandatory and non-negotiable part of formal employment.

• Mandatory by Law: An employer must sign a written `劳动合同` with a new employee within one month of their start date. Failure to do so can result in penalties for the employer, such as being required to pay the employee double their salary.
• The Foundation for Foreign Workers: For expatriates, the `劳动合同` is the first and most critical step. It is required to apply for a work permit and the subsequent residence permit. Without a valid `劳动合同`, a foreigner cannot legally work in China.
• Key Contents: A standard `劳动合同` will always include:
  • Name and details of the employer and employee.
  • Contract term (fixed-term, open-term, or project-based).
  • Job description and work location.
  • Working hours, rest, and leave.
  • Remuneration (salary).
  • Social insurance (the mandatory 五险一金).
  • Conditions for termination.

• Example 1:
  • 入职第一天，我就和公司签了劳动合同。
  • Pinyin: Rùzhí dì yī tiān, wǒ jiù hé gōngsī qiānle láodòng hétong.
  • English: On my first day at the job, I signed the labor contract with the company.
  • Analysis: This shows the standard procedure. Signing the contract is one of the first things you do when starting a new job. `签 (qiān)` means “to sign.”
• Example 2:
  • 在签字之前，你一定要仔细阅读劳动合同里的每一个条款。
  • Pinyin: Zài qiānzì zhīqián, nǐ yīdìng yào zǐxì yuèdú láodòng hétong lǐ de měi yīgè tiáokuǎn.
  • English: Before you sign, you must carefully read every clause in the employment contract.
  • Analysis: This is common advice. `条款 (tiáokuǎn)` means “clause” or “term,” a crucial word to know when discussing contracts.
• Example 3:
  • 我的劳动合同下个月就到期了，我需要和人力资源部谈续签的事情。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de láodòng hétong xià gè yuè jiù dàoqīle, wǒ xūyào hé rénlì zīyuán bù tán xùqiān de shìqíng.
  • English: My labor contract expires next month; I need to talk to the HR department about renewal.
  • Analysis: `到期 (dàoqī)` means “to expire,” and `续签 (xùqiān)` means “to renew a contract.” These are key actions related to the contract lifecycle.
• Example 4:
  • 请问，劳动合同上写的工资是税前还是税后？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, láodòng hétong shàng xiě de gōngzī shì shuì qián háishì shuì hòu?
  • English: Excuse me, is the salary written on the labor contract pre-tax or after-tax?
  • Analysis: A critical and practical question. `税前 (shuì qián)` is “pre-tax” and `税后 (shuì hòu)` is “after-tax.” The salary in the contract is almost always pre-tax.
• Example 5:
  • 根据我们的劳动合同，试用期是三个月。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù wǒmen de láodòng hétong, shìyòngqī shì sān gè yuè.
  • English: According to our labor contract, the probationary period is three months.
  • Analysis: Highlights the `试用期 (shìyòngqī)`, or “probationary period,” which is legally part of the contract itself, not a pre-employment trial.
• Example 6:
  • 如果公司想提前解除劳动合同，他们需要支付经济补偿。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ gōngsī xiǎng tíqián jiěchú láodòng hétong, tāmen xūyào zhīfù jīngjì bǔcháng.
  • English: If the company wants to terminate the labor contract early, they need to pay economic compensation (severance).
  • Analysis: This points to the employee protections in Chinese labor law. `解除 (jiěchú)` means “to terminate” or “dissolve,” and `经济补偿 (jīngjì bǔcháng)` is severance pay.
• Example 7:
  • 外国人在中国工作，必须持有有效的劳动合同和工作许可。
  • Pinyin: Wàiguó rén zài zhōngguó gōngzuò, bìxū chíyǒu yǒuxiào de láodòng hétong hé gōngzuò xǔkě.
  • English: Foreigners working in China must hold a valid labor contract and work permit.
  • Analysis: Emphasizes the legal necessity of the contract for expatriates.
• Example 8:
  • 这份劳动合同的中文版和英文版内容不一致，应该以哪个为准？
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn láodòng hétong de zhōngwén bǎn hé yīngwén bǎn nèiróng bùyīzhì, yīnggāi yǐ nǎge wéi zhǔn?
  • English: The content of the Chinese and English versions of this labor contract are inconsistent; which one should be taken as the standard?
  • Analysis: A common and critical issue. The Chinese version is almost always the legally binding one unless specified otherwise. `以…为准 (yǐ…wéi zhǔn)` means “to take…as the standard.”
• Example 9:
  • 他因为严重违反公司规定，被公司单方面解除了劳动合同。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi yánzhòng wéifǎn gōngsī guīdìng, bèi gōngsī dān fāngmiàn jiěchúle láodòng hétong.
  • English: He was unilaterally dismissed by the company (his labor contract was terminated) for seriously violating company regulations.
  • Analysis: This shows a situation where an employer *can* terminate a contract—for cause. `单方面 (dān fāngmiàn)` means “unilaterally.”
• Example 10:
  • 所有劳动合同都必须遵守《中华人民共和国劳动合同法》的规定。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu láodòng hétong dōu bìxū zūnshǒu “Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Láodòng Hétong Fǎ” de guīdìng.
  • English: All labor contracts must comply with the provisions of the “Labor Contract Law of the People's Republic of China.”
  • Analysis: A formal sentence establishing the legal framework that governs all such contracts in China.

• Offer Letter is Not the Contract: A common mistake for foreigners is to treat an English-language “Offer Letter” as the final binding agreement. It is not. The legally binding document is the official, Chinese-language `劳动合同`. If there are any discrepancies between the two, the `劳动合同` will prevail in a legal dispute.
• Verbal Promises are Not Binding: Any verbal promises about salary, bonuses, or benefits made during interviews are legally meaningless if they are not explicitly written into the `劳动合同`. Always ensure every important detail is in the written contract.
• “Probation” is Part of the Contract: The “probationary period,” or `试用期 (shìyòngqī)`, is not a trial period before the contract begins. It is the initial phase *of the contract itself*. Its maximum length is regulated by law and depends on the total duration of the contract. An employer cannot fire you during probation without a valid reason.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Incorrect: ~~我们有一个口头的劳动合同。~~ (Wǒmen yǒu yīgè kǒutóu de láodòng hétong.) - “We have a verbal labor contract.”
  • Reasoning: This is legally incorrect in China. While a labor relationship can be *proven* to exist without a written contract (leading to penalties for the employer), the concept of a valid, formal `劳动合同` is exclusively written. A verbal agreement is not a `劳动合同`.

• 合同 (hétong) - The general word for “contract.” `劳动合同` is a specific type of `合同`.
• 试用期 (shìyòngqī) - The legally defined “probationary period” at the beginning of a contract.
• 五险一金 (wǔ xiǎn yī jīn) - The five mandatory social insurances (pension, medical, unemployment, work-related injury, maternity) and one housing fund that employers must contribute to.
• 工资 (gōngzī) - Salary, wages.
• 劳动法 (láodòng fǎ) - Labor Law; the overarching set of laws governing employment.
• 辞职 (cízhí) - To resign or quit a job (initiated by the employee).
• 解雇 (jiěgù) - To dismiss or fire (initiated by the employer).
• 加班 (jiābān) - To work overtime.
• 人力资源 (rénlì zīyuán) - Human Resources (HR). The department you sign the contract with.
• 福利 (fúlì) - Benefits (e.g., health insurance, vacation days, bonuses) which should be detailed in the contract.