Contractor redundant whilst on SSP - not being paid notice period

Jamp

Hi All

I have just heard that I am being made redundant. I am a contractor with a temporary contract through an agency, I'm actually based in the Netherlands but it's a UK agency and UK tax etc so I don't think this makes a difference. I have been with the company and agency in this position for 2 years. I have been off sick for a couple of months as I had to have an ear operation which meant I couldn't fly as my job regularly requires (to Asia and the US, not just to NL). I have been receiving statutory sick pay from my employment agency during this time. I was due to go back to work at the start of January having been signed fit by the doctor, but the agency have called me to say I am being made redundant and will not be paid my notice period as I am not currently at work. I can't believe this is legal, what do you think?

Cheers,

Jamp

PS. Anyone looking for a postgraduate mechanical engineer in the Sheffield area..?!

Conor_3

You're a temp. You have no right to a notice period as it is a temporary contract and it will state this in the terms and conditions the agency will have given you.

You aren't being made redundant either - the temporary contract is just being terminated.

Jamp

My temporary contract states a notice period of two weeks. I am certain that my colleagues on the same contract who have also lost their jobs will be paid for this notice period (although not actually work it). They are just getting out of it because I've been on SSP.

Conor_3

Fair enough. You're lucky as most don't.