1 year contract for covering maternity leave - what if I don't stay?

A_little_stressed!!

I am currently looking at a 1 year maternity cover job, I love the sounds of the job, but worry about the 1 year contract, what if I can't stay for the whole year? Is it likely I will have to pay a penalty (Must check contract first then!)
Also it is morally wrong to take a job knowing there is a possibility I can't do the full year? There is a possibility I will have to move very far away in 9 months at the moment it's 60:40 (that I will go) chance but the odds change alot! It would be very hard for them to fill a position for the remaining 2 months, and I would feel very bad!

But I might be able to stay and it's a great job. If I turn it down and stay I will regret it BIG TIME, even if I go I don't think I can get a job as good in the meantime.

Please help

Savvy_Sue

If you start a one year contract you'll still have the option of giving a month's notice part way through.

You could feel bad if it would make you feel better, but as it won't make you feel better or help them fill the vacancy don't waste your energy ... Instead, look at it this way: even if you DON'T move, you're presumably going to want / need another job at the end of this one year contract. Now, given that job-hunting is not an exact science, any sensible employer knows that anyone on a one year contract will start researching the market after six months, and making serious applications soon after that.

So there are several possible outcomes: you'll move and give notice, you won't move but will find another job and give notice, you won't move and won't give notice, you won't move and the person will decide not to come back and they'll offer you the job permanently, you'll hate the job and will walk out at the end of your first day, never to return ...

Go for it, girl. And I'm going to say to you what my student son has often said to me when I'm hassling him: "You worry too much."

Oh, and no it's NOT morally wrong to take a job knowing you might not be able to stay the full year. I wouldn't even say it was wrong to take a job knowing you definitely didn't intend to stay the whole year - no-one knows the future, even if the move appeared to be definite something might happen to stop it (but PLEASE don't start worrying about what that might be! :rotfl:)

It would be morally wrong to lie if they asked at interview whether you were aware of any reason why you might not be able to stay the full year. Even then, I personally would say something like "There is a possibility that I'll need to relocate towards the end of that period but I have no definite plans." And then you stress how much you want the job, how wonderful you'd be in the role, and how committed to it you are.

If you've been offered the job, just go and get on with it!

kez_d

id say go for it, even tho is a 1 yr contract you still have the right to give a months notice same as a perminant job!

A_little_stressed!!

Thank you thank you thank you!! You are fab and are maing me feel less evil!!

kez_d

theres nothing evil about it at all, if i were in your position id take it aswell!
im entrigued as to where the far away place is and why your finding it hard to deside hehehe

therealdessie

I've had this discussion many times with the agencies, and they always tell me the same thing. When a client takes you on they know it's a one-year contract, and they accept that you do have a right to walk off at any time (as they do to ask you to leave); so they have to know you could leave for a perm role. However they ask that you remain professional and take time after hours to interview, or use leave, and don't spend all day on the phone to agencies.

At the end of the day they're not offering you a committed full-term job, they're offering a one-year contract, and they have to accept the risks that come with that even if they intend to extend the term to a permanent role later.

Savvy_Sue

that's very well put from a more professional point of view than I could give!

Indeed, remember that a fixed term contract doesn't offer YOU the kind of security which should mean you sell your soul to the company. Don't feel guilty, get in and enjoy the job!

surreysaver

How do you know you'll be there a year? The person on Maternity Leave only has to give 8 weeks notice that they are coming back, and I bet the company wouldn't think twice about giving you notice - so I shouldn't worry about it. It is business - feelings don't come into it!

floss2

surreysaver wrote: »

How do you know you'll be there a year? The person on Maternity Leave only has to give 8 weeks notice that they are coming back, and I bet the company wouldn't think twice about giving you notice - so I shouldn't worry about it. It is business - feelings don't come into it!

Was about to same the same myself - you can't guarantee that the person on maternity leave will stay off.

I would go for it, and cross the move-away bridge when you come to it