The girlfriend has been offered a job but the contract is temp until 2022

[postiewhite]

Hi. Just want some advise. Im on a permanent contact and have been in RM around 8yrs. I first started on a fixed term and then got given my perm contract.
The other half has passed the interview in another office (we live in different districts) but the position is 26hrs fixed contract until Feb 2022 and I guess she does feel uncertain that when the time comes then that will be it.
Does anyone know why some are permanent and some are fixed?

[postman2014]

Always permanent. I've never seen anyone leave at the end of their probation or fixed term.

[WASD]

All depends on the needs of that office and their budget. If staff turn around is high he/she will be secure, but also means not a very good office.

[TopperGas]

It seems most new starters are being offered temporary contracts, I was told you are almost certain to be taken on permanently once the temporary ends. Unless your g/f already has a good permanent job elsewhere it seems she's nothing to lose by accepting the temporary contract.

[2yearpostie]

Its a get out of jail card, bit like an extended probation period, if shes good at the job she will be ok, if she doesn't take to they can get rid without any come back.

[Woody Guthrie]

Any time we go into a period of major revision activity the business uses temporary contracts so that post revision they're not left with a lot of surplus hours and have to offer masses of expensive VRs to senior staff.

It's never a problem though because the business never achieves those kinds of savings and the revisions always take much longer than anticipated. It's just a safety net for the business.

[Route1]

Our office never gets any temps but the one "down the road" had 6 xmas casuals. All are now on permanent contracts.

In my opinion, they are short staffed & she will be on a permanent contract in a years time. They arent offering permanent contracts incase the revision reduces the need for extra staff (fat chance) or they need a different shift pattern to whats available now.

[TopperGas]

Any time we go into a period of major revision activity the business uses temporary contracts so that post revision they're not left with a lot of surplus hours and have to offer masses of expensive VRs to senior staff.

It's never a problem though because the business never achieves those kinds of savings and the revisions always take much longer than anticipated. It's just a safety net for the business.

Redundancy payment for someone who's only worked 6 to 12 months would only be minimal, probably less than the notice pay they have to give anyway, a 6 months contract just means that they can say "goodbye" without any come backs if the worker is not up to the standards required.

[Woody Guthrie]

Redundancy payment for someone who's only worked 6 to 12 months would only be minimal, probably less than the notice pay

A VR exercise in Royal Mail is subject to the MTSF agreement and is done on a seniority basis.

We have a no compulsory redundancy agreement.
As soon as someone receives a permanent contract they are protected.

That's why during a period of major change the business tends to use temporary contracts until the dust settles. In 99% of these cases the contract is made permanent after the revisions.

[Grumpyoldmailman]

They must also have an eye on when the USO gets reduced down to 5 days, can’t remember when that review is due but it must be creeping up on us.