Help! Leave perm job for year contract?

alisara

Wonder if any one could talk a bit of sense into me, as I am in a bit of a tizz. I have a permanent role in a place in which I am not to keen on, possibly the same as most, working for low pay in a post where a lot of experience etc is needed.

I am a single parent and it took me a long time to get the post, I had temped for almost 3 years, I was never out of work and I made a lot more money, but due to the insecurity of temping I took the lower paid permanent post.

I enjoy the work but don't feel they are being fair regarding pay etc. and I feel uneasy there and always have (post is in HR and for a very large company) When I started - sods law - a position became available a permanent post which I had applied for and I told them I would take it. I told my new employer who said they didnt want to lose me and what could they do, I of course asked for extra pay, they couldn't do that but I got a reduction in hours, so I stayed.

Today, I received a call from a post I had previously applied for working for the NHS, it is part-time, good salary etc and a great foot in the door for me, but when I called them to say I would take it they said it would be a 51 week contract as that is all they are offering now due to the current climate,and due to the current climate and having temped for years, I feel frighntened in case I am out the door.


I really wanted to work for the NHS, I went through assessment and 2 interviews for the post, but with an offer of 51 weeks I could cry, I am tempted to take it because it is what I wanted, and I wondered if anyone worked for the NHS do they advertise internally? So, say after the 51 weeks there would be something?

Sorry to all reading for the rant/etc but I honestly feel stuck in what I want to do !

jansueir

Hi, a lot of companies are now stating their posts are for short periods. Is the job related to anything the Goverment are currently putting money into ie. dementia. If so, then if they are happy with you, you have a good chance of having your contract renewed but its a hard decision to make in these troubling times. Good luck

~Beanie~

I have just done exactly the same! I've given up a permanent job that I hate for a better paid one, at a place I've wanted to work for ages BUT it is only a fixed term contract till next year.

I've been for interviews at this place about 5 times before (different departments) but always get told that another candidate had slightly more relevant experience than me.

I might regret it come next year but at the moment I see it as a foot in the door and a chance to get the experience of their systems etc. Plus I get put on the redeployment register at the end of it so might find a position elsewhere at the same place. I believe the NHS also have a redeployment register, the Trust I currently work for certainly does. You get given chances in life and I think this is one I need to take.

Fingers crossed I don't live to regret it!

t0rt0ise

Sometimes a temp NHS job leads to something permanent but who can say if yours will. I've just done a year contract in the NHS and am now looking for something permanent. The experience has been good and I needed that to get on but I am getting interviews but not getting the jobs so far.

alisara

Oh my goodness, thanks all for your replies I really appreciate them, my head is in a spin. The post I am in now is just a job for me (and yes I am grateful for it as it is permanent, but I am just another number?) I do want to work within the NHS and the interview was for a permanent post, I received an email this morning regarding the post and it was we would like to offer you the permanent post please call, and I did and then he said it is a 51 week contract ahhhhhhhhhh so annoyed - but then again it could be a foot in the door, and maybe when I call back tomorrow I could ask regarding redeployment

browneyedbazzi

Nearly two years ago I left a permanent job for a 12 month fixed term contract which was a higher grade role with better pay etc...I did well at the job and was offered an extension but I had already secured another offer for a permanent job another grade up so I moved on. I think the fixed term contract was the best career move I've made because if I hadn't taken it I would probably still be in the rubbish dead-end job I was in before.

Sharon87

If you feel you'll enjoy the year contract more and if it's more money take it. I'd kill for a year's contract in my field, mine are more like 3-4 months max. Just make sure you do a good job, fight to get an extension or job hunt like manic towards the end of the contract.

Good luck!

alisara

Thanks for your replies, well I have until lunchtime today to decide!

acs_2

If the 51 week contract is a good fit for you, then you should go for it. Yes its only a years guaranteed employment, but at the same time, whos to say that your current employer wouldnt make you redundant due to financial difficulty in say 6 months time? The future for the employee is far from certain for the majority and you must look after your own interests. I think it will also go in your favor that youve had different terms of employment and youve never been out of work. Plus, you'd have a foot in the door at the NHS.

InsideInsurance

I left a well paid job in a company I liked a lot to take on a 3 month contract with only 1 weeks notice.

Fast forward a good few years, I am still working on short term contracts (though none have actually lasted less than a year after renewals) but not had a single day between contracts and get the financial benefits of contracting.

Job security is a myth and a 12 month contract is fairly substantial. Just remember what you need to be doing in 10-11 months from today

alisara

Well, I took the cowards way out, and decided to stay where I am (for now). I called the NHS HR dept and let them know sorry I will have to turn down the role, they told me that I can still remain on the waiting list which is not to bad. I did say that I applied for a permanent post, and also interviewed for a permanent post and should I have to go to the bottom of the list, as I had been misled?

Thank you all for your help, I really appreciated it. I really did want the NHS role, but I was too frightened to give up a bit of security and but I was too frightened to take that gamble.