Civil service fixed term... will it be extended?

Cwils_2

I received a formal offer from the civil service around 4 weeks ago with a start date of next week (I accepted this offer)

Originally the position was 9 month fixed term but I was placed on a reserve list for around 4 months... I received my contract a week ago and it shows my termination date for the end of March. Meaning my contract is 5 months fixed term...

I have spoken to a few employee’s that I know work there and they have all said that there is no chance of the contract being extended or being made permanent

Does anyone have any good news or advice for me or have I just threw my current (permanent) job out the window for the sake of 5 months work?

Thanks

Comms69

Absolutely no guarantees.

Cwils_2

I understand there isn’t any guarantees I just need some reassurance that the risk I have taken will be worth it in the end

Fireflyaway

I can understand your worries but it's impossible to say. I took up a permanent position last year and absolutely hated it. There is no guarantee you will even like the job.
Could you speak to the HR team to get some more info? It might be a short project for which they only need staff for a short time. On the bright side, learning new skills in this temp role might put you in the position to apply for better jobs in future.I
I'm on a fixed term myself. 9 months left. I'm certainly going to put some money to one side in case I can't find a new job right away.

sangie595

Argh. Possibly.

It all depends but, in many cases now, even if it is renewed, you will never get to two years. Given the recruitment method you describe, I'd err on the side of never reaching two years. You often get the first renewal, but seldom the next one.

The Civil Service is not the career it used to be. In fact it's a hell of a long way off it. If you are looking for security and good terms, I'd forget it.

Comms69

I’ve done fixed term and zero hours.

My employer, despite the issues in my other thread, rates me highly and wants to keep me. But they’re on a recruitment ban at the moment.

I found out last week about a role I could fill for next 3 months; very last minute, so it does happen. BUT you have to know the right people and do a very good job.

Cwils_2

I’m just hoping something comes of it...

I was told by multiple people I would be stupid not to accept the job and now I have I’m struggling to see why?

The reason I applied and accepted was because it was 9 months fixed term and that would give me time to gain experience and build on my competencies whilst looking elsewhere but recieving my contract for 5 months has thrown me, it’s such a short amount of time, it’ll be over in the blink of an eye and I’ll not know where to start next.

Brynsam

Cwils wrote: »

I’m just hoping something comes of it...

I was told by multiple people I would be stupid not to accept the job and now I have I’m struggling to see why?

The reason I applied and accepted was because it was 9 months fixed term and that would give me time to gain experience and build on my competencies whilst looking elsewhere but recieving my contract for 5 months has thrown me, it’s such a short amount of time, it’ll be over in the blink of an eye and I’ll not know where to start next.

Take the job, but start looking now - and make your own decisions. Blaming 'multiple people' won't help anything. It's your career and your life, and any experience you gain could be very valuable.

sangie595

Cwils wrote: »

I’m just hoping something comes of it...

I was told by multiple people I would be stupid not to accept the job and now I have I’m struggling to see why?

The reason I applied and accepted was because it was 9 months fixed term and that would give me time to gain experience and build on my competencies whilst looking elsewhere but recieving my contract for 5 months has thrown me, it’s such a short amount of time, it’ll be over in the blink of an eye and I’ll not know where to start next.

Welcome to the modern civil service.

Most people here know I'm a union official. If they believe anything, because this is an anonymous user site. Several very close friends are union officials in the civil service. I don't know a one who would (a) join the civil service now, or (b) believe any short term contract will get to two years.

Sorry.

There's some truth in how good you are and who you know. Are you willing to bet on that? And honestly, it's a bet. It might be great. The odds are it won't be. But odds aren't always right.

[Deleted User]

Fixed term is fixed term always for a reason.

I spent the last year in such contracts, never got to 'alleged' term and when I did get a permanent as it gets job I have struggled with certain things and had to get prepared to accept a wage decrease ultimately in the end to get out of the situation of bouncing from one ill chosen job to the next. You'll earn the 'danger money' if lucky, that's it.

I regret the day I ever got into that market - it just opened up the door to the next fixed term and the next and you literally never stop looking for the 'next' job. Along with accepting any old poo further down the line because of. It's a real head f@!# when it gets close to the end of the term and the absolute uncertainty that wouldn't be wished on the worst enemy. The only good thing is it avoids redundancy and the horrid associated feelings that can bring as it is very easy to end this type of contract with no comeback.

Nobody I started with on a 6 month maximum FTC in Jan 17 for a major council continued. Sorry I deliberated never asked the people I stayed in touch with just how long they got - the positions have without fail, been re-advertised many a time since.