Decision regarding leaving a perm. job for a temp. job

DCFC79

Id go for it, the temp job seems to be sometihng you have a vested interest in so go for it

wontfallforit

I've verbally accepted the 3 month temp job in question. Handing my notice in at work when I receive a written offer. Had a chat with the recruiters, and got more of an insight into why the role is temporary - it's due to the acquisition of a major contract. This means that as the company grows further, there may be scope for a perm role now or in the future, but I may find myself out of work in 3 months' time. No biggie, really.

Just wondering if anyone knows much about holiday entitlement? I've calculated that I should be entitled to at least 7 days (may be more, actually, as it's a good company, but I'm working on the minimum). We've come to an agreement whereby in the last month of my contract, I'll be able to take short-notice holidays to attend interviews, etc., if the project does come to an end on that date.

Snippa

I'd go for it. If you're in a job you don't enjoy, with few prospects why stay when you have the chance to do something better? Most jobs these days seem to be rolling temp contracts, or start off temp. Every job I've had since I graduated 15 years ago has been "temp" - varying from 3 months to a couple of years. And you know what? Not one of them has eneded so far - they just keep being extended, sometimes on the last day of the contract, which is very stressful, but they always seem to find more work.

It may be that the company wants to test you out, but if you're good in the job, and they want to keep you, the likelihood is that they'll find something. If they don't, you sound like you have other options. If you're young, free and single, take every opportunity going, even if there is a risk in it: it's the best time in life for being able to do that :beer:

wontfallforit

Snippa wrote: »

Every job I've had since I graduated 15 years ago has been "temp" - varying from 3 months to a couple of years. And you know what? Not one of them has eneded so far - they just keep being extended, sometimes on the last day of the contract, which is very stressful, but they always seem to find more work.

That's the same with both of my parents. Their companies set fixed-term contracts, and they just deal with it...stepdad has kept the same job for 30 years, and mum hasn't been laid off in the last 5 years since she graduated.

I don't normally take such risks, but it has been carefully calculated. I'm getting nothing from my current job other than more money than I actually need. My pay is average, but my living costs are very low. Don't get me wrong, I love money, but enjoyment is a huge factor, and it's something I've always lacked.

As stated, this temp opportunity is something that only ocurrs every once in a while. Despite giving up a permanent job for it, I'd be foolish to miss out on it.

terra_ferma

I've taken risks in my career, including leaving crxp perm jobs for good temp jobs. I've ended up not working for periods of 2-4 months, but the higher salary I've earned because the positions were more senior made up for it.
Too many temp jobs will put off employers when you go for perm jobs though.

Good luck!

Savvy_Sue

wontfallforit wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone knows much about holiday entitlement? I've calculated that I should be entitled to at least 7 days (may be more, actually, as it's a good company, but I'm working on the minimum). We've come to an agreement whereby in the last month of my contract, I'll be able to take short-notice holidays to attend interviews, etc., if the project does come to an end on that date.

Yup, 3 months = 1/4 of a year, and 1/4 of 28 is 7, so at least 7, BUT bear in mind that if it's not the kind of place you'd usually work Bank Holidays, you'll have to use 4 of them for Bank Holidays if you start on 1 March (2 Easter, 2 May).

For that reason, I'd try to make your start date AFTER Easter! Unless their leave entitlement is more generous!

wontfallforit

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Yup, 3 months = 1/4 of a year, and 1/4 of 28 is 7, so at least 7, BUT bear in mind that if it's not the kind of place you'd usually work Bank Holidays, you'll have to use 4 of them for Bank Holidays if you start on 1 March (2 Easter, 2 May).

For that reason, I'd try to make your start date AFTER Easter! Unless their leave entitlement is more generous!

:-D

Start date is early March. Being a financial institution, they won't work bank holidays. So I'd 'lose' 2 days' holiday on Good Friday and Easter Monday. I'd also 'lose' the May Day holidays.

So I'd end up with around 3 regular holidays...

Depending on circumstances and progress in my jobsearch - and if it's at all possible - I might ask for extra pay for those 4 days at the end of my contract, in place of holidays. It'd be a little bit less than a month's rent, which would be helpful

Savvy_Sue

wontfallforit wrote: »

:-D

Start date is early March. Being a financial institution, they won't work bank holidays. So I'd 'lose' 2 days' holiday on Good Friday and Easter Monday. I'd also 'lose' the May Day bank holiday.

So I'd end up with around 4 regular holidays...

There are 2 bank holidays in May - first and last Mondays of the month - so that only leaves 3 days. Bad time to start a temp contract. Although you MIGHT find their entitlement is more generous - for example we get 25 days PLUS the BHs.

wontfallforit

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

There are 2 bank holidays in May - first and last Mondays of the month - so that only leaves 3 days. Bad time to start a temp contract. Although you MIGHT find their entitlement is more generous - for example we get 25 days PLUS the BHs.

I realised, and edited, then saw that you'd replied

Currently I get 25 days + BHs, but my present company is much, much larger. Of course, new job could follow suit, but I'd be happy with the minimum.

To be honest, even if BHs are included, the break would be nice. I normally take my holiday entitlement in short blocks in my current job, so rarely a month goes by when I've not got at least one long weekend

Apolonation

Sounds like a nice way of having your holidays, just got to watch you don't get too used to this in case it changes in the future