Disappointed and I know I'm being unreasonable - work related

[gildalilly]

I have been on a temporary contract at my job since March. It's a company where I've temped before and I was asked back with a large pay rise and the promise of a permanent job pre-covid.

Covid happened and all recruitment has been put on hold so now I'm just a temp with a contract that ends in a month or so.

The permanent job that I was promised is still available and I have now been told they will let me do this role for an additional 3 months on my contract.

I know I'm lucky under the circumstances but I'm feeling really sad as they have also moved a permanent member of staff who up until now has been furloughed and would have been made redundant (I know this as it's happening to other people in their role) the position I had been promised.

I am gutted as I can't see now how I will ever get a permanent job now as anything that does come up will automatically go to this person who has been brought in after furlough.

I know that my qualification for this role is better than than theirs at the moment but that won't matter once they've been in the role for a few months as I'm guessing they will upskill in that time.

I feel bad as I like this other person and I wouldn't want them to be made redundant but their presence makes my chances of getting the permanent role I was verbally offered very unlikely.

Don't know what I'm asking really but just feeling fed up and demoralised but also mean for being cross that they have scuppered my chances of being kept on long-term.

That’s really shit for you. Is there any way you could have a meeting and see if there’s another role for you?

That could be a possibility I guess, but they've been rolling out the 'recruitment ban' story every time I've enquired what's happening.

That’s really unfortunate OP. I think they have to do everything they can to provide existing employees with a job even if there is someone else better qualified (my understanding their legal obligation but I’m not HR) so I can see their perspective. Hopefully things will be different in a few months and there will be opportunities for you.

How would it look if they made a permanent member of staff redundant when there was a permanent job. Then turned round and gave you, a temp the position. Most employers when staff are under threat of redundancy, as part of the process, are obligated to find them suitable alternative employment within the organisation.

This is hard OP. But they obviously like you. I would go in with a really positive attitude, work really hard and cross your fingers that they can figure something out.

The situation sucks, unfortunately you’re unlikely to find a permanent position there. Take the 3 moths as a chance for you to keep working, while searching elsewhere for a new role?

The employer has legal obligations to their permanent employee and this means that if they have suitable alternative employment, it should be explored. This right doesn't extend to you as an agency temp, as you have limited rights.

I know it feels crap, but you are clearly a valued member of the team and it looks like they really would like to keep you. Try not to take it personally as this is outside of your control and their control.

Thanks everybody. I do get that the company are doing the right thing for their permanent employee. I'm really glad for that person and it's good to know that they're not stitching their employees up, just feeling a bit down hearted for myself really. Thanks for responding. I'll just keep on keeping on.