Single Mum-6 month fixed term contract or zero hours?

DawnRose8

I'm starting a job as an LSA this september. It's only zero hours so will have to claim JSA and what I earn will be deducted from this. I'll need to keep looking for work with more hours to get off benefits. I'm hoping the hours may increase or it will at least improve my job prospects!
Now I have an interview for another job which looks really interesting and is 20 hours a week-perfect in every way except it's only a 6 month fixed term contract.
I'd obviously be delighted to get off benefits and be earning some money but am worried what may happen once the 6 months are up. I'll need to find something to start exactly when this contract ends and if I don't, I'll have to make a new application for benefits and face the dreaded Universal Credit delay.
Jumping the gun. as I haven't been offered the fixed term contract yet but would like some advice. What would you do?

Marcon

Could you do both jobs if one is genuinely a zero hours contract and the other is 20 hours?

DawnRose8

I was thinking this too but, sadly not.
The hours for the LSA job will always be in the morning and clash with the fixed term job, which is a damn shame.

Comms69

It might be 6 months, but there's always the chance to renew - I did 4 years on fixed term contracts, renewed every 12 months.

NineDeuce

100% go for the fixed hours, and keep on looking for a new longer term job while you are there from day 1.

You could even take both but prioritise the fixed hours I say.

DawnRose8

Thanks. I might not even get it but I'll be asking if there's any chance of review at the end of the contract.
What scares me is being out of work at the end of it and having to go back to benefits-at the moment I'm on JSA and Child Tax Credits. It's all set up and the thought of Universal Credit and 6-8 weeks with no money is daunting.
But, it might be the start of something so let's hope I get the job!

DawnRose8

One question-if I took the fixed term contract and was offered a full time job somewhere else, would I be in breach of contract by leaving before the 6 months is up?

NineDeuce

No. Not at all. The only thing that you might have agreed regarding your termination is a notice period. But even so, you might be able to waive that if necessary.

No employer can expect you to see out a 6 month contract in place of taking up a permanent opportunity.

sangie595

DawnRose8 wrote: »

Thanks. I might not even get it but I'll be asking if there's any chance of review at the end of the contract.
What scares me is being out of work at the end of it and having to go back to benefits-at the moment I'm on JSA and Child Tax Credits. It's all set up and the thought of Universal Credit and 6-8 weeks with no money is daunting.
But, it might be the start of something so let's hope I get the job!

You could think of it as an opportunity rather than a challenge? If you get the job, no matter how difficult it is, save a bit of an emergency stock of money and goods (like tinned food). Open a credit union account to save the money. Then, if you do end up out of work again, then you have some food to keep you going, some money set aside, and a credit union account (because they are more flexible about loans for poorer people!). If you don't, keep up the savings and you'll have a week or two when you have minimal shopping bills, and a little savings account for an emergency or something special.

pjcox2005

I took a 6 month temp contract in one of my first jobs, left 11 years later having had a significant amount of training opportunities and promotions.


I'd look at the opportunities the job presents rather than the concern on length of contract although I appreciate that's not easy when you need to provide for your child.

Comms69

DawnRose8 wrote: »

One question-if I took the fixed term contract and was offered a full time job somewhere else, would I be in breach of contract by leaving before the 6 months is up?

No, the notice would be in your contract - I'd expect it would be 1 month - but check.


Fixed term doesn't really change anything; it's usually an indication of the length of time a project has; or the length of funding available.


But don't let that put you off, lots of projects are funded on a yearly basis and 6 months would suggest it's until the end of the tax year - which is when you'd expect new funding to be available.


It could be other reasons too e.g. maternity cover; but also consider other people might move on in that time and there could be roles available internally too