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AIBU?

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Original poster

My employer said I now have to go permanent

115 replies

user1471867483 · 05/07/2025 22:23

I have been working for a not-for-profit organisation for the last 10 years on their 'internal agency' for them to save money on high street agencies. They're making cuts now and I now have to become permanent or I go with 4 weeks notice. I love being temporary. I wasn't even looking for any other work as I'd assumed I could carry on working forever like this! I will also have to change my working hours working two hours later in the afternoon and starting two hours later. It will mean I'll have to come home in the dark now. They want my answer Monday. If I'd known a few months ago, I'd have applied for temp work elsewhere, but applying/looking takes time. What do I do? Temping suits me to a tee. We have a new director now who's decided to shake things up a little in our dept. TIA.

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 06/07/2025 08:50

This arrangement sounds pretty dodgy from the company’s perspective, I’m not surprised they’re having to change it. I think you’ve been lucky that it’s lasted as long as it has!

AgnesX · 06/07/2025 08:50

While you took the time off and left everyone to fight it out amongst themselves. For 10 years?

That was in response to the OPs post about taking Christmas leave.

HermioneWeasley · 06/07/2025 08:49

I can see why they’ve done it, if you’re paid via PAYE and receive pension contributions you’re a permanent employee and this needs sorting out,

MimiSunshine · 06/07/2025 08:48

I would be negotiating with them. Explain your circumstances and why being temp suited you and benefitted them.
not the taking off on holiday whenever you wanted part.

See if they’ll agree to sticking with your current working hours and explain your careering commitments and look into what the company policy is for perm employees for that.

it doesn’t sound like they want to
lose you so get to find a mutually beneficial arrangement

Original poster
user1471867483 · 06/07/2025 08:46

I see my coworkers fighting over leave at Christmas for example (as we can't leave the office uncovered), and I could never stand that kind of thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1471867483 · 06/07/2025 08:44

NoodleNuts · 06/07/2025 00:02

Unless I am missing something, what difference is there in temping or being permanent? I mean, if you have worked there 10 years already then that is hardly temporary, is it?

It now means I can't work the hours I'm so used to and now I'll have to ask 'permission' for any holiday I want, where before I used to take off whenever I wanted as I didn't get paid! I'm also living vulnerably as I unexpectedly need to take a day off here or there if my mum becomes unwell 🤷

OP posts:
Original poster
user1471867483 · 06/07/2025 08:39

SwearyYellowStartish · 05/07/2025 23:42

Are you currently paid PAYE and have tax/NICs/pension/student loan (if applicable) deducted on your payslip before you get your money or are you paid gross money and you account for it on your self assessment?

I'm PAYE with a pension.

OP posts:
Thunderpants88 · 06/07/2025 00:15

What benefit is it to you to be a temp? Do you regularly turn down the offer of shifts?

I cannot understand why anyone would prefer to temp rather than the security of permanent?

I can see the issue with the hours though and I would appeal that element and explain it won’t work for you but you will happily accept permanent job if the hours can remain as they have been

ToKittyornottoKitty · 06/07/2025 00:11

10 years of temping, why wouldn’t you just become permanent? You’ve been incredibly lucky to be temp for this long

Keepingthingsinteresting · 06/07/2025 00:05

They are trying to do the right thing, after 10 years “temping” the legal reality is you are an employee and so should be regularised in this way. If you don’t like it that’s fine but you’ll need to make the change. As pp said maybe take the contract and look for something else whilst you work.

NoodleNuts · 06/07/2025 00:02

Unless I am missing something, what difference is there in temping or being permanent? I mean, if you have worked there 10 years already then that is hardly temporary, is it?

SwearyYellowStartish · 05/07/2025 23:42

Are you currently paid PAYE and have tax/NICs/pension/student loan (if applicable) deducted on your payslip before you get your money or are you paid gross money and you account for it on your self assessment?

Youngerthanmystepmum · 05/07/2025 23:26

Accept the job and start looking for another temp job now. With any luck you’ll have a new position before the nights draw in and the weather gets miserable.

BlueWorkDay · 05/07/2025 23:07

Is it an IR35 requirement?

IR35 means that if you're a contractor, bur treated as a permanent member of staff (long term, regular work, included in company All Hands/Townhalls etc.) The company is duty bound to make you a permanent employee.

This is to stop companies from using contractors as a way to avoid various taxes and PAYE.

okydokethen · 05/07/2025 22:35

They’ve put you on the spot. Personally I would take the perm post and give yourself a couple of months to see if it’s worth it whilst you look elsewhere just in case.