Temping longer than the specified length

book12

I am undertaking temp work at the moment, which lasts for 2-3 months. The agency and interviewer told me a few months ago, that they don't know if it will be exactly 2 months or 3 months, so they just said '2-3 months'.

I had a team meeting with the team (team is quite small), and they have told me I got more stuff to be trained on to help out the team. I think the stuff to be trained on will take a while, so it might be over the '2-3 months' length of the contract.

I was wondering if I am temping for longer, would it be better to make me permanent (if it's say over 6 months)? What is the maximum length of time to temp for becoming permanent? Obviously, I can't temp 'forever' or a 'few years' (I think). I tried googling, but not much help.

anamenottaken

You can "temp" via an agency for one client for years. The client just has to be careful not to treat you in exactly the same way as a permanent employee - such as using a disciplinary procedure with you. There may come a point where the employer would find it beneficial to pay you direct as a permanent rather than continue paying the agency - but they would need to weigh up the other "costs" of doing that.

solodanceparty

It's all about money and if they have a position. You could temp for a year (hence the word temp) then have them let you go. Supply and demand, dude.

sweetstudent

I had a mate who i worked with, he temped at that office for 18 months, he then joined the same company who i worked for where i temped for three months and became permanant. He has been temping there for 15 months now - albeit moving from residential to business!

So they can last a while

olly300

book12 wrote: »

I was wondering if I am temping for longer, would it be better to make me permanent (if it's say over 6 months)? What is the maximum length of time to temp for becoming permanent? Obviously, I can't temp 'forever' or a 'few years' (I think). I tried googling, but not much help.

There isn't. You can temp with the same company for years however they have to be very careful to ensure you are not treated like a permanent member of staff.

To take you on as permanent member of staff from a temp the company tends to need to pay the agency more than if they recruited you from the beginning in a permanent role, as the agency loses income if you go permanent. So unless the company has the budget to make you permanent and the desire you can temp with a company for ever.

clairec79

Dh's first job he was on a temp contract for 2 years then was made permenent

book12

I've heard that a collegue that I know, who have been there less than 6 months have been permanent. He's from the same agency as me. He also works in the same department as me. I'm on the only temp in the department.

I wonder how he became permanent. I hope I'm on soon!