Long story short... A friend of mine started with M and S in Leeds, in July, on a 2 month temp contract, with about 60 others..... 30 hours a week, set shifts, nice job...
then after three months they were all given another 3 month temp contract, to take them to 27th Dec.
they were all told, that temp contracts are just a precursor to a Permanent one, and after 3 temp contracts they will all get a permanent one - with a pay rise also...
November comes
"Overtime availability please, the more shifts you are availbale for, the better it will be come contract renewal...."
December 19th comes...
"we are sorry to tell you all that there is not enough work to give the permanent staff, sorry, you all finish on 27th, but we may call you in Feb or march if we need more staff"
Reaction was mixed, disbelief, tears, or walking out, or in some cases a combination of this.....
I could have understood Christmas temps not being kept on after a month, but these folk had been there approx half a year, working full time.
The stories of people who were relying on the money, who have had their confidence trashed, who just want to give up now.....
Horrible place and if they are hitting the skids, the managers at a local level deserve all the flak that is coming