New starter

[kingeric]

Hi i am a new starter at royal mail. I start in a week and have just received my contract.

My contract says that i am temporary for 3 months which i was aware of. It also says in the contract that they anticipate that i will not be needed in 3 months time to due reorganizing within the company which is why it is 3 months only.

My question is, is this likely to be me gone in 3 months time or is this just a standard contract to cover their backs.

I have one pal at another office who has been given 3 month contracts for nearly 12months now, as i am in another postcode i am wondering if it is different and likely to affect me.

Any help will be grateful

[seaside53]

Unless you screw things up, your 3 month contract will be renewed every quarter. That said, pester your line manager or DOM for the renewed contract as otherwise it'll never arrive!

Issue with these contracts is mainly that you'll rarely get a chance to work for more hours (assuming you're on 24/25 hours pw)!

[kingeric]

Unless you screw things up, your 3 month contract will be renewed every quarter. That said, pester your line manager or DOM for the renewed contract as otherwise it'll never arrive!

Issue with these contracts is mainly that you'll rarely get a chance to work for more hours (assuming you're on 24/25 hours pw)!

That's what i am hoping.

You mean there is no overtime? I am part time btw, i am not desperate for over time but will happily work a day off to help out if needed.

[fishtank]

All fixed term contracts must by law contain a termination date and the possible/probable reason for that termination.
It's a standard clause.

[fb1969]

I started on a 30 hour 3 month contract last September. After 2 months I received a contract for 3 months from the end of the first contract so that takes me to March. Both contracts have said about not being required after 3 months but the general opinion, as seaside53 says, is don't screw up and they should keep you on. Most weeks I am asked to do overtime at least once, often more than that. The guy that covers my day off had this week off, so most people were asked to work their day off - that is 6 hours overtime for me, so happy to do it. If you are happy to work extra hours just make sure, in advance, that you will being paid for it!!!!

[TheCobra]

Yeh that is standard wording on the contracts, I've been here over a year and each of my 3 month contracts said I might not be needed at the end of it. Welcome to 2013, where everything is in the employer's favour!

On the overtime front, you will most likely be pestered every week to work your day off, so overtime is available if you like 6 day weeks. If you don't like 6 day weeks, there's always the option of doing other stuff e.g. doing van collections couple of days a week to boost your hours, but get yourself in the door first!

[blackbooks]

Unless you screw things up, your 3 month contract will be renewed every quarter. That said, pester your line manager or DOM for the renewed contract as otherwise it'll never arrive!

Issue with these contracts is mainly that you'll rarely get a chance to work for more hours (assuming you're on 24/25 hours pw)!

Agreed on regular renewal.

Amount of overtime depends on your office. I am on 25 hr contract, but due to the high levels of sickness in our office, regularly get into mid 40hrs and occasionally well above.

[kingeric]

Thanks for the replies folks. That helps me relax a little more.