Job was advertised as permanent; the contract I've been given today states fixed term...

[lucysmam]

Can someone please help me word an email querying why this is?

I'm tired & think my email's coming across a bit grumpy & I don't mean to!

I've been back through the applicant brief & it definitely states permanent.

Tia!

Something like

Can you please confirm the contract of employment is correct? The advert said the vacancy was permanent but the contract says fixed term.

I would keep it simple

Dear xxxxx

I applied for position x on y date from the advert attached.
The advert states this is a permanent position.

My contract has arrived today and it states it's a fixed term contract until x date.

Please could you clarify the companies position on this.

Xxxxxxx

This allows them to answer freely but also really only allows them to say the advert or the contract was a mistake.
One of them is.

If it's remaining fixed term what will you do? I think it's important you know how you'll respond before you question it

Thank you, that sounds much better than mine!

@itsgettingweird I'll have to look elsewhere if it is fixed term! I can't afford not to 🤷‍♀️

Dear X,
Thank you once again for offering me the post of XX, and for the contract received today.
There seems to be a mistake in the term of the contract; it’s been put down as fixed term rather than permanent.
If it could be reissued that would be great and I’ll get it signed straightaway. Really looking forward to working with you.
Kind regards,
Etc

@Somebodylikeyew brilliantly worded!

It may well be a simple mix-up in the HR Dept, OP. In my experience HR teams are always chronically under-resourced and working at a manic pace. Chances are this was a cut and paste error....

If they try to tell you that it is Fixed Term, it would be worth checking with CAB / ACAS whether they're allowed to do this. I was told that it was not allowed when an employer tried to do this to me, but this was some years ago and I don't know if it was only because of the specific sector or a general rule.

[quote RestingStitchFace]@Somebodylikeyew brilliantly worded!

It may well be a simple mix-up in the HR Dept, OP. In my experience HR teams are always chronically under-resourced and working at a manic pace. Chances are this was a cut and paste error....[/quote]
Can you tell I have experience at dealing with a less than competent HR department??

@chocolateisavegetable thanks, I'll look up phone numbers for ACAS and CAB tomorrow.

It's with my current employer for a second position - not that that makes a difference I expect.

It's a bit gutting to have worked so hard to gain my dream, permanent, position, then be handed a fixed term contract (even if it is an error on the contract).

I would word the email assuming it was an error on the contract, rather than asking them to clarify. I wouldn’t give them an easy out if they’ve mislead you (deliberate or otherwise) and wanted your time

What does your offer letter state?

Thank you for the contract relating to X position which I received today.

I notice that the contract states this is a fixed term position, whereas the applicant brief states it is a permanent position.

Could you please clarify?

I look forward to hearing from you.

If it is your current employer I wouldn't ask them to clarify. I would tell them to amend and resend.

Dear HR

Thank you for sending on the contract for x position. There seems to be an error in the contract. This is a permanent contract as per advert attached. Can you amend and resend please? I will get it back then ASAP.

Thanks etc

I too would say the contract says fixed term, the role is permanent, could you please amend and resend? I wouldn’t give them the out of suggesting they advertised and interviewed incorrectly/deceptively.

If it’s for a fixed term, but you are already a permanent employee of the company, then surely it’s a secondment? You do it for the fixed term, and then go back to your original job.