I've just had an email...
Dear Enzyme
End of temporary contract
[The Head of School] has now advised me that as Chair of the [department] Board I should address the issue relating to the end of your current contract in July. I am currently perusing the paper work but the key matter is this. We are required to have 4 meetings before July to discuss the position.
All good wishes
M

I've also been told that I can have a union rep or colleague present.

I've never heard of such a thing before: I'd assumed that, come July, I'd just hand over my teaching materials and wander off. I'm also a bit worried - why would I be entitled to take a union rep unless it's disciplinary?

Has anyone else heard of such processes? Should I worry?
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 11:40, 16 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I know that if you're making people redundant
there has to be a legally defined period of 'consultation' where you have to have certain amounts of meetings, work with the people towards them getting a new job, etc etc.

Not sure what the rules are with temporary contracts but this sounds like it might be something similar?
(username1, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 11:52, Reply)

Odd.
It's not a redundancy - it's simply the end of a contract. I really don't see why my getting or failing to get a new job is the concern of my current employers...
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 12:02, Reply)

Their need, not yours
The key thing here is that they need the meetings, not you. Would be different if you were F/T but they don't have any say over where you go after your contract expires ... unless of course they are offering you an extension? Wouldn't worry.
(hangableautobulb is an anagram of the best album ever, on, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 12:11, Reply)

@hangableautobulb
I am full-time, and I've been here three years on three one-year contracts.

I'm not going anywhere after I leave here. :(


As for an extension: nope. Ruled out. They're going to advertise for a permanent position doing what I'm doing now. I will, of course, apply. But I'm fairly sure that I won't get it.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 12:16, Reply)

Sneaky bastards
Once you get your fourth year's fixed-term contract in a row you're classed as permanent staff and have a shitload more employment rights.

Is this why they're getting rid of you after three?
(username1, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 12:21, Reply)

@Enzyme
I've seen it work the other way round. I work as an IT specialist and seen a permanent member of staff in our team (on about £125 gross/day) "leave" on Friday and return on Monday as a contractor, earning £500 daily rate. He did, of course, interview for the job (lol) and surprise, surprise, was the best-qualified candidate with the most relevant experience!

Surely it works the other way too ... you know the kids, you know the curriculum, you know your way around ... you'd be the best qualified person for the role?
(hangableautobulb is an anagram of the best album ever, on, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 12:22, Reply)

@username
It was only ever a one-year contract to cover study leave. Year two was the same, to cover another member of staff. This year, I was technically here under my own steam - except that the person whom I was covering in y2 left in September, and has not been replaced. (It's her job for which I'll be applying when it's advertised.)


@bulb - Well, yep - I do know my way around the place, and I'm in charge of one of the degrees here and several courses. I also have MA, MSc and PhD supervisees. What I do not have is an impressive list of publications, and I've never been awarded funding for anything. So... my chances are low, I reckon.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 12:26, Reply)

You're being fired
for rampant gangrenosexuality, and worst of all, Jesus has just abolished the discrimintion laws.

Well done Postman Pat, you cheery, bespectacled, massive-konked little bastard.
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 13:15, Reply)

@Bert
Damnit, you're right.

Have you ever thought about a career in grief counselling? I'm sure you'd be ACE.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 13:26, Reply)

If I were a grief counsellor
I'd be really good at giving people grief.

What's that? Your baby died? Have you seen a mirror lately, you looking fucking awful, it's no wonder he killed himself with cot death.
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 13:35, Reply)

I've been on short term contracts
for the last 13 years, and never seen had this sort of thing. I should be in a better position as far as employment law is concerned, having worked here for over four years, but it boils down to the fact that if my current employers don't have a job for me, I'm out.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 13:39, Reply)

@K2k6
Even with a "permanent" contract, if there's no job for you any more, you're out...

I've just seen my HoD - she rolled her eyes and said that it's a new Faculty policy. Looks like it might just be a formality. A silly one, but there you go. I still don't see why, in a university where everyone claims to be overworked, we all have to waste time on this sort of crap.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 13:47, Reply)

Oh, yes...
Notwithstanding that my contract ends in July, I still have to have my probation reviewed in April.

I'm tempted to tell them to stick it.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 13:53, Reply)

Yeah K2, you'd be out if they didn't have a position for you
But you'd be entitled to redundancy pay, longer notice periods, and a bunch of other employment rights that people on these rolling contracts previously didn't get until they brought the new regs in.
(username1, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 14:06, Reply)

According to the new agreement
I should be on a one year notice period.

My current contract is for one year. I'm half way through it and haven't yet received my notice.

Go figure.

Ach well, I've survived this long. I'm not going to lose any sleep over what may or may not happen. I am of course doing my best to secure future employment, but there's no good in worrying about the future.


Edit - In my thirteen (13) years here, you know how many annual reviews I've had?

One.

Fine by me, actually. It's just a waste of time. If I've got a grievance, I can take it up with my boss any time.

Not that I have many grievances worth complaining about, mind you.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 14:22, Reply)

Enzyme: I've now informed you in great detail.
I love being on the Union Exec at my Uni.

(p.s. I can't believe you are occasionally smart and yet have no clue about employment law. Don't you want to make sure you're not being screwed over?)
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Tue 24 Mar 2009, 16:23, Reply)