advice with contract please

alfie26

hi all

i have worked for my local council for 5 years and always on a temporary contract. i started on a 6 month contract and it has been renewed every 6 months since by letter. my last contract expired on 31/8/2010.i rang personnel on 1/9/10 asked why it had not been renewed they said "it has been renewed for a further 3 months" but i have not recieved this in writing.so all i have at the moment is what personnel said nothing in writing.

i have been told by workmates i should have a contract in writing....

not sure what to do

any advice please

MetalMinx

hi there, I am also a fellow contractor :-)
I'm no expert on these matters but my thoughts would be as follows:

1. First and foremost are you still being paid? If so, I wouldn't panic too much. BUT...
2. You shouldn't really work without a contract as it is there to protect you as much as them. For example, I assume your notice period is in your contract, so without one, you basically have no notice period and they could get rid of you tomorrow!

So, my advice would be get this sorted ASAP. Forgive me, but I have to ask, have you not chased this since 1st Sept? This is quite serious, so I would be on the phone morning and afternoon every single day until a contract is issued. The fact that it has been reduced to 3 would suggest they are 'considering' cutting back.
One other thing, are you working for them directly, or through an agency. As technically your agency should be responsible for this too.

Don't panic though, it may not be an issue and they may continue to renew every 3 months, but you should get the paperwork sorted for your own peace of mind.

Good luck!

alfie26

thanks for your reply
i get paid as normal , i work direct for the council, i have asked personnel about my contract and i am told i have a 3 month contract,(just nothing in writing, which is a little unusall). another thing, if i dont have a contract am i insured to drive council van or if i have an accident am i covered.
yes i think there will be cut backs in my section.

thanks for your reply

Savvy_Sue

It's always best to have a contract in writing, but you still have a contract: you are still turning up to work, they're not sending you home, they're still paying you. That's a contract!

But no harm in chasing them.

babyfreckles

I worked as a temporary employee for my local council for well over a year, and was only ever given my first contract as 'temporary' for the first three months, then after it was a rolling contract for every 3 months like yourself and I was never issued with a new contract each time. Is it like your local Councils Temporary Register?