Moving from permanent to temp

jetty

Hi, I'm not sure where I stand with this, but any help would be appreciated.

I started working at a school as an MSA which meant I was on a permanent contract. I was then employed as an LSA but my contract came back saying TA (which I was told I was being employed as!) and still stated permanent. They have written out a new contract for this academic year and changed my job title and put me on a temporary contract, even though I am still doing the same as I was last year. Can they change me from permanent to temp just like that?

Many thanks

Moneysaver199

I wouldn't think that was allowed, but I wouldn't know for sure. Could it perhaps be a mistake? I take it you are sure you were permanent. If you haven't already checked if it is a mistake, then that's what I would do. Don't sign a new contract with temporary on it until you have checked and are happy with the outcome. You could also try calling ACAS for information.

sangie595

jetty wrote: »

Hi, I'm not sure where I stand with this, but any help would be appreciated.

I started working at a school as an MSA which meant I was on a permanent contract. I was then employed as an LSA but my contract came back saying TA (which I was told I was being employed as!) and still stated permanent. They have written out a new contract for this academic year and changed my job title and put me on a temporary contract, even though I am still doing the same as I was last year. Can they change me from permanent to temp just like that?

Many thanks

Legally, there is no such thing as a permanent contract - all contracts can be terminated. In law, whether something is "permanent" or "temporary" isn't of real relevance - the law is bothered about whether you have two years continuous employment or not, because two years is the point where important rights accrue, such as the right to not be unfairly dismissed and the right to redundancy.

But it also doesn't matter whether you sign the contract or not. If you refuse to be bound by the terms of the contract you must say so - if you do not, then you are deemed to have agreed, signed or not. So you do need to ask the employer their intentions and why the contract is framed in this way. It may well be that it makes no difference, depending on your continuous service.

By the way - I have no idea what an MSA or an LSA is (although I do know that TA is a teaching assistant). It may be that the duties in these posts vary and that is the reason for the way the contract is framed. But since I have no idea what these things mean it is hard to work that out. I do know that some school support staff who are allocated to specific individuals are often only contracted for limited time periods