When should I chase for contract.

Unwell2023

Hi,

I'm currently working short-term jobs as waiting to get a medical problem sorted so didn't want to risk brand new employment where an employer is less than happy I'd be off having appts within the first few weeks/months. 

I've waited a week since starting the latest placement which is fixed term and direct with an employer. (as opposed to an agency like my last situation) I fully appreciate if it was a perm job then the employer has so many weeks to produce a written or detailed summary.

Just the employer are not being clear how long I'm needed for despite them saying they were working on a contract and I've walked into a strange or not so situation where there is two temps covering two members of the team off sick which was unexpected when I interviewed for the role. one team member is off for 4 weeks possibly and the other envisaged possibly longer term. 

I was copied into an email today which names the team member on the expected shorter period of sickness saying I've stepped in so I'm beginning to presume I'm not here for the full-duration first roughly indicated. 

Equally if one of these people don't come back... I don't want the job perm is that a situation where I'd have to give notice?  

Thank you for any guidance. 

Brie

I'd ask my manager when you will get a contract of some sort - or "did I miss something that should have been emailed already?"  

Notice will be outlined in the contract but likely it will be 1 week if that's all they need to give you.  If they can say to you today you're not needed tomorrow I would assume your notice could be equally short.  

That said - if they decide to take you on permanently then that would be a new contract offer with new T&Cs.  Currently they may be paying you a higher hourly rate because you are not getting any benefits.  And if you work there for a couple of months and are booking time off for medical stuff they will likely be aware of that - if they decide to offer you a roll you can then discuss what flexibility you might need for future treatment.  

DigSunPap

Have you notified them of your current situation? Perhaps this could be the reason for the delay if they are unsure how long you will be available for. If you don't mind me asking what type of temp work is it you are getting into?

Unwell2023

Thank you Brie, I think there is a kind of unspoken rule that you shouldn't really book time off whilst covering temporarily that's the jist I get - I took the role thinking two months later at maximum, I'd be finished, ideally then available for appointments as I've got so far on a waiting list now. 

I cannot find any policies or staff handbook which I don't know if strange for a charity organisation? 

I was asked to complete a health form which I was honest in. 

I'm just hoping perhaps both of us temps would have to re-interview in any event if a charity is slightly different to a usual business. The other temp is more able to do physically a bit more then me and more outgoing for the kind of work it is so I'd hope they get made permanent instead of me.  

General_Grant

Unwell2023 said:

Hi,

I'm currently working short-term jobs as waiting to get a medical problem sorted so didn't want to risk brand new employment where an employer is less than happy I'd be off having appts within the first few weeks/months. 

I've waited a week since starting the latest placement which is fixed term and direct with an employer. (as opposed to an agency like my last situation) I fully appreciate if it was a perm job then the employer has so many weeks to produce a written or detailed summary.

Just the employer are not being clear how long I'm needed for despite them saying they were working on a contract and I've walked into a strange or not so situation where there is two temps covering two members of the team off sick which was unexpected when I interviewed for the role. one team member is off for 4 weeks possibly and the other envisaged possibly longer term. 

I was copied into an email today which names the team member on the expected shorter period of sickness saying I've stepped in so I'm beginning to presume I'm not here for the full-duration first roughly indicated. 

Equally if one of these people don't come back... I don't want the job perm is that a situation where I'd have to give notice?  

Thank you for any guidance. 

The law changed - effective April 2020.  Written particulars now have to be provided at or before the time of beginning the employment - whether as an employee or a worker.

Unwell2023

Thank you all. Should not have sweated the small stuff! I've started to ask but found out the HR person is out of office until next week.

In the meanwhile, I've heard I've been successful elsewhere for a permanent 3 day a week role in a medical centre which kind of helps solves all my problems for the immediate future so now need to hand in my notice 

DigSunPap

Unwell2023 said:

Thank you all. Should not have sweated the small stuff! I've started to ask but found out the HR person is out of office until next week.

In the meanwhile, I've heard I've been successful elsewhere for a permanent 3 day a week role in a medical centre which kind of helps solves all my problems for the immediate future so now need to hand in my notice 

Thats great news to hear! Good luck with it!