Does permanent always trump fixed term?

cardiffgrad1

Hi, I just want to get your opinions on this.

I'm currently working on a fixed term contract. A permanent job at my current grade has come up on the same street I live and it seems interesting, with more people contact than my current job.

I've been offered an interview. Obviously, I might not get the job but if they do give me an offer...my decision isn't such a 'no brainer' as it first appears.

Normally, I would always choose permanent over a fixed term contract... but... it's not that simple.
1. I've only just started to settle in my current role, after a lot of moving around due to fixed-term contracts not being renewed.
2. My contract doesn't end until April 2013, so I don't have to worry too much about the immediate future. My manager is optimistic that this will be extended and my office has a good track record of keeping people on.
3. I like my new manager, though he is only on temporary promotion and I'm just starting to like my team now we have new members. The office morale is, unusually for public sector, not too bad at the moment. On the other hand..I know through my work about my potential new employer..I know they have a lot of people off with work-related stress.
4. Although the potential new job is the same grade, the salary might be slightly lower due to different ts and cs. (They can't tell me exactly what it would be yet) I would however save £50 a month on bus fares. I have an expensive flat and don't have much wriggle room for a drop in salary. But..I also can't afford to be out of work and would be screwed if my fixed-term contract doesn't get extended.

So, what do you think? If they did offer me a salary similar to what I'm on now, what would you do?

DCFC79

If it were me id stay where i was, liking your manager and your team makes you feel happy which I assume you are in the current job ?

gibson123

I second that, stay where you are happy, if you fit in and do a good job they will want to keep you. In a recession there is no such thing as permanent.

t0rt0ise

I'm just coming to the end of a fixed term contract. It's been extended month by month for a while but now it really is coming to an end and the last six months have been so stressful with the 'we may be able to keep you' and 'oh no we can't', that I'd never do a temp job again if I didn't have to. Now looking again in earnest.