A
female
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:Hi, I am trying to stand on my own two feet financially after a very bad break up with an abusive ex partner.I have worked at a university on 2 temporary contracts with different departments (yearly contracts, but limited hours/not enough to really live on) for the third year running. Recently, a male, permanent staff member in my department got a higher ranked job in a different department. Instead of the university subsequently offering his position as a permanent post, the university have offered it only as a fixed term position for 10 months, only to internal candidates.I applied and am due to be interviewed. However, I am concerned about why the post is only offered as fixed contract. There were rumours when I started working in my department that many other staff wanted my department phased out altogether. The colleague who got a better job in another department was undoubtedly 'helped' by older, key, male staff who like him and who basically make the rules. I'm concerned that they're not entirely transparent in what they do.If I get this post and accept it, I will not be able to work my temporary contracts and will effectively lose them - although temporary they are usually renewed each year and they offer a very high rate of pay, but, as I say, it's really not enough to live on because it's quite minimal hours. The permanent job works out so that I'd have to work almost three times as many hours to make the same money, but it could look good on my CV and as evidence that I'm capable of that kind of role.I've researched online about accepting fixed term contracts and the pro's can be that you get to gain skills and experience that will help you to get a permanent job. And that sometimes employers are anticipating re-structuring but this doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be offered some other kind of employment after the fixed term ends/after the re-structuring. The cons, of course, are that the contract ends and you may be offered nothing. As well as this, for me personally, I have quite a stressful year ahead and, although the job would not be difficult to take on, it will involve familiarising myself with new tasks. Additionally, in an ideal scenario I would use this 10 months to make myself invaluable to the college - I know extra ways to do this - BUT I have other things that I have no choice but to complete/do and am a bit concerned that I won't be able to go "all out" to impress in the role.Of course, the other concern is that I won't be offered the role! But I can't really think who else would be suitable from our internal staff.I've been over and over this in my mind and friends have offered me the same advice and thoughts that I've found online or thought through for myself. ANY insights or extra help would be so appreciated!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 October 2014): OP againWell...I never went for the interview for this 10 month job because I found out, the day before and from a senior colleague, that it had already been offered and accepted 'on the quiet' back in the summer vacation break but they have to make it seem legitimate and are now ensuring that a 'competitive process' has been put in place. I figured out they have also initially offered it as a 10 month contract rather than permanent because, if it was to be permanent, they would have had no choice but to offer it publicly, and they don't want the hassle.I was so very upset about this - upset that my line manager knew and didn't tell me but was just going to use me as part of the 'competitive process'. I'm just sick and tired of this kind of thing happening - these days to get even a normal lecturing job you have to be massively over-qualified OR be sleeping with someone OR just favoured for some reason. It's ridiculous. I'm gutted and fed up...but thanks for the advice anyway folks! I still appreciate it.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (23 October 2014): I do know how it is to need to keep going financially / work wise after a very bad break up and the aftermath of abusive relationships. The advice I would give you is take what you can when you can work-wise and be glad of it. I know I sound harsh or as if you should be 'desperate' somehow but I give this advice on the basis of my own experience. My abusive husband left me 2 years ago after 19 years of marriage. I was studying for a degree on a full time basis but had some part time work ad hoc to contribute towards some of the bills. I had no real income and had to move out our rented home. I struggled to find any decent employment despite many years experience in my field and renting a property with little in the way of income was devastating. 2 years on I have survived but I a still struggling to find work and its not for a lack of trying and so I am freelance to gain ad hoc hourly work here and there - have even completed my degree. I would give anything for a 10 month contract as feels like quite a long period of stability. I have not written this to air my sob story but rather that it may put things into perspective in what is (still) a very difficult job market ...despite government claims otherwise.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (22 October 2014): OP here. Thanks no nonsenseAidan that's very helpful. I guess I was a bit annoyed that they are only offering 10 months, rather than 12, which means that over the summer break I wouldn't get any pay like the permanent staff do - and then, if the contract is renewed for 10 months again, it's effectively a way of them saving 2 months of salary for someone over the summer again - so, in fact, it's a reduction of the salary that the previous staff member had for several years, and far more uncertainty thrown in, which feels unfair. If it were a brand new post, fair enough.But the way you put it sounds right overall - most uni. jobs are advertised at the end of the summer break, so I could work towards that and then be in a better position next academic year, to apply for something else. If, as you say, fixed contracts are "all the rage", then it may well be that this is a phase of career that I would have to go through in most universities, to eventually get a permanent role. So...may as well get on with it!Thanks very much for your input, it really helped!
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A
male
reader, no nonsense Aidan +, writes (21 October 2014):
Fixed contracts are all the rage now especially in the public sector (I can’t speak for other countries but like you I am based in the UK). I think it’s a solution to only having certainty about funding in the short-term. I started on a fixed contract of 12 months in September. IT is fixed because we don’t know if we have funding next year and if we do, we’ll all probably be fixed again.
My reasoning is that although I’d have preferred something permanent, I’ve effectively got 12 months to find something permanent, though in reality this would be reduced to 6 because I do want to work a minimum of 6 months in this role. I compromised on the wish for permanence also because it was essentially a big step up in my profession and a really good chance to progress in an area I enjoy. I didn’t have the dilemma of other temporary contract, admittedly, but for me I’d choose a fixed contract over the possibility of temporary assignments any day: it looks good on the CV, it’s nice to feel part of a team and have more of a sense of achievement and ownership. I also feel more financially secure because I know exactly what’s going to come in to my bank account every month, and I know exactly when it’s going to stop coming in, and can plan accordingly. Also I am paying in to a pension which I wasn’t when I was temping through an agency. If I had a mortgage to pay, kids to feed etc, I’d probably be more concerned with finding a permanent job quicker, but as I said I’d pick my fixed term contract over temporary assignments any day. Everyone is, of course, different, but it sounds like you have thoroughly researched the pros and cons of each anyway and taken advice on it, so I’m not sure what else I can give you other than my own perspective. I hope things work out.
I wish you all the very best.
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