Fixed Term Contract dilemma

[bobsnotmyuncle]

Hi everyone, has anyone got any experience of going from a permanent role to one on a FTC?

I've been offered a job which sounds great, will allow me to specialise in my chosen field, is a little bit more money and is a shorter commute. I'm getting increasingly frustrated with my current employer, the way they run the business and treat their staff etc. though I do enjoy my role on the whole.

The flip side is that they're only offering it on an initial FTC for 12 months, with the possibility of making it permanent after 12 months. I've expressed my concerns about this but am told its non negotiable as it was advertised as a FTC. We are due to remortgage this year and I'm worried this will affect the rate we can get as my DH is self employed.

We'd also like to have another baby in the next couple of years which complicates it even further.

Is it worth the risk? Are FTC on this basis usually renewed? I need to let them know on Monday and I'm really confused!

TIA

[BrownSauceSandwich]

It's definitely complicated because of the remortgage and planning a baby, but there's always something to consider when taking a risk, and you can't avoid all risks.

Likelihood of getting the contract extended is impossible to guess. I work for an employer who routinely employs people on 2 or 3 year contracts, and they're always made open ended at the end of the term... I guess it's a bit like an extended probation period. But the kind of work we do, they invest a lot of time and money in the early years training us up to full productivity, so it'd be crazy to lose somebody just when they get up to speed. But I know of people who have gone to jobs advertised like yours, where it's really a maternity cover, and they think it's possible that the woman on maternity leave will decide not to come back. That's much more of a roll of the dice.

What is the jobs market like in your sector? If you find yourself job hunting again a year from now, with a year's experience in your specialist field, are you likely to find things to apply for? If so, then I'd say it's got to be worth a leap of faith.

[bobsnotmyuncle]

Thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it.

There are jobs in my sector but this would be a fab organisation to work for long term.

There's a good chance of the post being made permanent although they cant guarantee it and I'm relatively young, so could put off ttc for another year. I guess it's just a lot of pressure being the main earner AND the one who has to give birth!

DH said he'll support whatever I decide... which is lovely but not particularly helpful!

[justdrankacappuccino]

Having contracted loads, I'm actually the opposite, in that going into a permanent job scares me senseless.

Contracts are great. They are an easy route into an organisation (because fewer people want them) and they give you a chance to suss things out without committing yourself. If you do a great job then you often get asked to stay. Interestingly though, the jobs that look great on paper often aren't and vice versa.

I would go for it. The worst that can happen is that you are looking for another job in 12 months time. Hopefully you will have gained more skills and experience in that time.

Best of luck.

[bobsnotmyuncle]

Thanks justdrank, that's a really good way of looking at it.

[justdrankacappuccino]

Have you made a decision, bob?