Rights as Long-Term Temp

R1tchk_2

Hi,

I have been temping through an employment agency with the same company for the last 2 and half years at a rate of approximately 40% less than permenant members of staff and or contracted staff with the company. I was happy to do this with the currect economic climate and the recruitment freeze that is in place within the organisation.

This week however I learnt that 3 other long-term agency temps , in a similar position to me have been offered 6 month contracts within the company (same department) at the same remuneration as permenant members of staff. I have not been offered anything and have not been told why I have not been offered a fixed term contract.

My productivity and quality is one of the best in the department and my attendance is 100%. Is this legal that they can offer contracts to others in my position but bypass me without explanation? This has seriously affected my motivation/appreciation and don't think I can continue in such an unequal environment.

Googlewhacker

Have you asked the employer?

R1tchk_2

I would prefer to know my rights before jumping in feet first and not having a leg to stand on from a legal point of view.

highguyuk

They don't have to offer you a permanent contract legally.

Googlewhacker

R1tchk wrote: »

I would prefer to know my rights before jumping in feet first and not having a leg to stand on from a legal point of view.

fair enough, I would hazard a guess that you have very little rights as you are employed by the agency and not the company who are using the agency.

Someone with more knowledge will let you know probably tomorrow but there is a similar thread recently

PasturesNew

You have no rights. They must know you exist, so just chose (for whatever reason) to not offer you such a job.

Maybe the others asked for one, kept pestering ... maybe all sorts of reasons.

But you have no rights to any job, or being told about any job, or being offered anything, at all.

Maybe the others asked - and somebody just assumed you'd not be interested.

R1tchk_2

Roll on October 2011 when the Agency Workers Directive comes into play and unscrupulous employers can no longer get away with this kind of thing. As nice as it would be to hand my notice in come Monday I can't afford to. I'll just have to intensify my jobsearch and persevere with this until I secure something else although I can see my productivity and motivation falling through the floor from now on!

Googlewhacker

R1tchk wrote: »

Roll on October 2011 when the Agency Workers Directive comes into play and unscrupulous employers can no longer get away with this kind of thing. As nice as it would be to hand my notice in come Monday I can't afford to. I'll just have to intensify my jobsearch and persevere with this until I secure something else although I can see my productivity and motivation falling through the floor from now on!

Yup, a significant drop in agency workers will happen.

sharkie

Loyalty does not pay! You have to play the game and join a few different agencies. Always go to the highest paying job and play them off against each other.

If you get another job while working for £5, make sure the new offer pays more like £6. Even if the second job pays the same as the first, go back to first agency and tell then you have just been offered £6 and you wish to terminate the job, but still be kept on the books.

I would not advise telling them which agency or whom your consultant is in the other Agency.

SarEl

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Yup, a significant drop in agency workers will happen.

Nope - they will simply exploit the loopholes, which are plentiful

bezzza

R1tchk wrote: »

Roll on October 2011 when the Agency Workers Directive comes into play and unscrupulous employers can no longer get away with this kind of thing. As nice as it would be to hand my notice in come Monday I can't afford to. I'll just have to intensify my jobsearch and persevere with this until I secure something else although I can see my productivity and motivation falling through the floor from now on!

Before you allow your productivity and motivation to drop I assume you are going to approach your employers first to ask if you can be considered for any permanent/contract posts - there could be very good reasons why you haven't been asked yet - doesn't hurt to ask.