http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politic ... rules.html


This law is good. If companies can get away with downgrading staff with short term contracts staff that they do not have to pay sickness or holiday money then it will protect the full time staff who could face being cut to part time because they lose other benefits like holiday pay etc.

I read this as "Boo hoo, we can't exploit people on temporary contracts any more! No fair!".

I can conceive of no valid reasons why temporary staff should not be afforded employment rights, especially since companies have a habit of re-issuing temporary contracts on a rolling basis.

It should be the responsibility of the agency to cover these costs - after all, they take a fair slice of the money each of their staff earns.

I know feck all about the current situation or legislation but IMO, all agency workers should get pro rata sick leave and annual leave. So if they would ordinarily get 28 days' annual leave in a twelve month job, they should be entitled to 7 days off in a three month job.

This would only really affect those companies that are little more than cowboys. This is good. Knowing this government they would try and scale this back, and with most of the jobs being created being part time only this would mean that they might as well opt for full time employees rather than a swathe of part timers.

Is there a definition of "temporary"?

If someone has worked the same job for years, can they still be "temporary" just because the contract says so? If so, then that is what needs to change. 12 weeks doesn't sound like very long to me, but a limit should be set.

I worked somewhere through an agency for over 2 years but was only ever classed as temporary. It wasn't until I got a job direct with the company that I was full time.

When I was working in TV, it was common practice for everyone to be on a rolling one week contract. Effectively one contract ended after a week, the new started right after, thereby negating any entitlements to anything beyond your basic wage.

Yup, temporary workers are shafted on sick leave and holiday pay compared to full time counterparts.

But isn't working on temp contracts a personal choice of those who do it? If you want "permanent job" benefits get a "permanent job", no?

Easier said than done in some lines of work.

I took mine at the time as that was the only job being offered at the company, I only got offered direct employment when they wanted to retain experienced staff. So no, it's not always a personal choice.

Unless you are Jonathan Ross.

Have they put a gun to your head and said you gotta take it? Or there wasn't any other company that would want your services?

This is how I see it:
Having a job isn't a God given right. It is a privilege!
So if you are not happy with the one you have (or one you are being offered), go and find a better one. If you can't find a better it means that the one you have (or the one you are being offered) is what you deserve, or maybe it is even too good for you so just keep quiet and be happy with what you have (or you are being offered). Best jobs for best people. If you can't get it you are not good enough and you should drop your price.

I know it sounds harsh but why should a company pay more that it has to for your services? Would you work for less money if you company was in trouble (and you had a choice to go elsewhere)? I really doubt it. So why should company show you the same courtesy? The price of labour is given by a demand and supply, people tend to forget that...

Sometimes I feel like I am living in France...

I needed a job, there weren't any others available at the time. I went up to Edinburgh on the Thursday and got a job and a house by Sunday and started work on the Monday.

This was quite some time ago BTW and I was using it as an example, nothing more.


It's not that easy for many people, especially in the current climate. Fortunately I'm not in that position anymore and haven't been for many years.


Reality would be a start mate, some people's reality is very different to yours and mine.