Thanks for all the helpful advice. I'm glad it wasn't just me who thought that it isn't right. In regards to my visa though I'm on a spouse-visa since my husband is from Hong Kong, so luckily I never have to worry about a work-visa. Anyways, I stood my ground (in a professional and soft approach), and am not going to be required to come back full time before my contract (just for meetings and preparation as usual), yay! But I have to remind myself I'm not going to be paid for a month. *sigh* Time to find part-time work.