Fixed Term Workers

If you are a fixed term employee employed directly and not by an agency then your employer cannot treat you less favourably than permanent employees doing the same or similar work unless it can show a good reason to do so.

This means that you are entitled to the same rate of pay (including holiday, sick, maternity and adoption/parental leave pay), that you have the right to be informed about permanent employment opportunities with your employer, to have access to training and equivalent benefits and where you contract term is for more than 2 years access to your employers pension schemes.

If you have been employed on fixed term contracts for over 4 years you are entitled to become a permanent employee unless your employer can show a good reason why you should stay on a fixed term contract.

If you think that you are being treated less favourably you have the right ask your employer for a written statement explaining why.

If you think this is unjustified and cannot resolve the matter through your employers grievance procedure you are entitled to claim compensation through an employment tribunal.

It is unlawful for your employer to to dismiss you or to treat you less favourably because you have insisted that you be given equivalent treatment to permanent employees or because you have helped a colleague make such a complaint. Any dismissal would automatically be regarded as unfair and entitle you to bring a claim for compensation.

This is a complex area of law and if you feel that you have received less favourable treatment than your permanent colleagues or if you have been unfairly treated as a result of insisting on your rights you should call us now.

Strict time limits apply to any tribunal claim so its important that you don't delay.