Help! Leave perm job for year contract?

FBaby

oh no, I wished I'd read your post yesterday. I was going to say that it all depended in the reason for the post being made temporary. Was the position within a trust about to reconfigure.

There are two main reasons for positions to be offered on a temporary basis only in the NHS at the moment. The first is that the post is in essence permanent (ie. the money is available) but because the trust is in a transition phased, they cannot employ beyond their current existance. In most of these cases, it is highly likely that the post will be made permanent once the transition has taken place.

The other circumstances is when the post is part of a specific project. At the end of the project, there is no more funding available and the roles not required any longer. In that case, the situation is more precarious. It is often the case that projects are extended, or that another projects start and roles can be transferred, but there is much less guarantee.

Unfortunately, your posts lead me to believe that your situation was probably the first. Did they tell you why the post was temporary if it was advertised as permanent? Maybe it is not too late to contact them and at least ask for more detail.

alisara

on FBaby thanks for your reply! Maybe I just was not meant to read it before it is too late. All that I was told is yes the post was advertised as permanent, but at present (not lack of funding) they can only offer a year, with the possibility of extension but only a possibility.

I am disapointed that I turned it down, but as a single parent it is nice to be able to pay the bills (I am in a permanent post right now) and the rent without worrying (I temped for a long time and the worry made me sick). Yes the post I am in right now is low paid and I think I am capable of so much more, so I am sure others agree it is demoralising. I was just frightened when I weighed everything up.

I will continue to apply for other posts though, I think it is easier whilst in a job.

Thank you everyone for replying x