Replacing contract with permanent?

Enigma80

Hi all,

There are two posts about 1.5yrs into their 2yr contracts. One of the posts becomes vacant beause the post holder has left of his/her own accord.

That vacant post has now been advertised as permanent. The second post holder has been informed that a review will take place (once the permanent post is in place) in order to assertain whether or not his/her post will be made permanent.

Can this be done? Advertising a permanent role when the someone in the same role is doing the same job on a fixed term contract? :undecided

SarEl

Yes it can. If you want the permanant job then you are able to apply for it like anyone else can.

scheming_gypsy

If there are two roles then the available one has nothing to do with the contract role. If you want to go perm, apply for the permanent role and if you get it, they'll advertise for somebody else to fill the temp role.

Enigma80

I see. So basically if there are two identical fixed term roles and one becomes vacant, they can re-advertise it as permanent and they're not obliged to offer the permanent role to person already doing the job?

scheming_gypsy

No because that one isn't your job, it's a new role that's become available. A lot of people who take contract roles take them because they don't want a permanent role so it's worth letting the boss know you'd be interested in the permanent role so they can consider you. Although they might be obliged to offer it to existing permenant staff first.

Enigma80

It's a little awkward as I've been told there will be a review to decide whether to make me permanent or not. In some ways it may seem like they may let me go at the end of my contract. But it seems odd to have someone new in the permanent post and the person doing the same job let go. That's life I suppose.

SarEl

Enigma80 wrote: »

It's a little awkward as I've been told there will be a review to decide whether to make me permanent or not. In some ways it may seem like they may let me go at the end of my contract. But it seems odd to have someone new in the permanent post and the person doing the same job let go. That's life I suppose.

I am afraid so. It is a matter, to some extent, of bad timing. Had both contracts expired then the employer would have hada duty to not unfairly dismiss you - although that would still not guarantee you the job. But as things stand they may be identical jobs but they are no longer identical contracts. So if you want the other contract then I am afraid that you will have to take your chances at interview, since you have obviously already spoken to the employer about your future there and they haven't offered to slot you in to the post. There may be very good reasons for this, but we don't know the circumstances, so we can't tell.

Enigma80

Yes, it's all under wraps at the moment so no-one besides the senior management know what's going on. My request to bring my review forward 'will be taken into consideration'.

an9i77

Basically I think if they want to keep you on, they will offer you a permanent job and if they don't, they won't. If they have a permanent job available, and they are satisfied with how you have been doing this job under a temporary contract, I can't think of a reason why they wouldn't offer it to you. So if you don't get offered it, then harsh as it may sounds, it is probably because they don't think you are right for it/the company.

DVardysShadow

an9i77 wrote: »

Basically I think if they want to keep you on, they will offer you a permanent job and if they don't, they won't. If they have a permanent job available, and they are satisfied with how you have been doing this job under a temporary contract, I can't think of a reason why they wouldn't offer it to you. So if you don't get offered it, then harsh as it may sounds, it is probably because they don't think you are right for it/the company.

Or they are just plain insensitive.