What would you do?

[NotAClueHoo]

I was hired for a fixed term contract, accepted because I needed the job, it pays pretty decently and I genuinely thought this fixed contract was the only job the company had available.

I complete all my references and pre employment paperwork. First day into the job the manager informed me I was not the only hire the day I got the job, they told me they had given the permanent contract to another person. Inside I was somewhat peeved because it wasn’t advertised that there was a permanent and a fixed term role. Anyway, I remained polite and professional did my job as expected.

Now that I’ve started the job, management has told me multiple times that I am a strong member of the team, management told me even people in other departments have said they notice how hard I work, how much work I complete, etc. I’ve quickly learned and adapted to the needs of the team.

Meanwhile the person with a permanent contract is struggling, has not been noticed for producing good work or for being a strong member of the team, in fact they have been noticed for lacking the necessary skills and knowledge, and hasn’t really been recognised for contributing anything to the team in general.

I sound bitter because I AM bitter. Why is it fair that someone performing worse than me in the same job role is given a permanent contract whereas I’ll be the one out of a job in a few months and forced to start interviewing again? Why is it fair that everyone gets paid the same or similar but I’m the one doing MOST of the work, probably 60% - 70% some days even 90% of the work is done by me. The others stay having endless tea/coffee breaks, nattering about holidays and other nonsense, asking and prying and nosing into my personal life while producing very little real or meaningful work? Why does my manager make endless excuses for my struggling new coworker but never gives me the same excuse?

I have this one particular coworker who is so rude and nosy but likes to hide it under the guise of being chatty and talkative. I’m like no, you’re nosy and you’re rude and make me feel uncomfortable with your constant prying into my personal life when I don’t do the same to you. The new coworker is the same way. I avoid both of them as much as possible now.

What would you do if you were me?

Well personally I'd see it as their loss, do the job I was paid to do and move on. But you seem very aggrieved about it so maybe if I were you I'd look for a new role now. Not much else you can do. Up to them to make their own hiring decisions and live with the consequences.

I wouldn't do anything because a company whose culture lends itself to that kind of decision isn't one I'd want to work for long term. Let them shoot themselves in the foot if they like.

Stay put. I've been in your situation a few times and always ended up with a contract extension that has then rolled into a permanent post.

They’ll most likely be on a probationary period, so hold tight, but as pp if they don’t reward your efforts then take them elsewhere.

Who knows why they got the permanent contract, but I am sure the company wouldn’t have given it to them had they known they’d be crap. It’s just life.

If you want to stay and they are pleased with you go and talk to your manager and HR to see if there’s a possibility of a longer term role.

You might want to lighten up though OP, you haven’t been hard done by in any way and self pity is very unattractive.

You don’t like the workload, colleagues or work place culture there and it’s making you bitter (unless that’s just you anyway), so be glad you are only there for a short period and look forward to the future somewhere else.

I like the job itself and my other colleagues outside the group I mentioned. Is this a conversation to be had with my manager or not?

Well they picked you both from interview believing they had made the right choice. They may have made a mistake but that's not your business. Continue to do the work you were hired to do and stop worrying about everyone else. Maybe you will get a longer contract but at the moment just do what you were hired to do.

Identifying the best person from interview is not an exact science. They may have got it wrong, or it may be that you've been quicker to adapt and the other person might do better than you longer term.

If you like the job, then why not ask if there are any other permanent positions coming up? You'll be top of the list if you're doing as well as you think you are. And if your colleague is doing as badly as you think, she'll be out at the end of her probation period, creating a job opening ...

It's a bit of a toxic work culture if the management are playing you off against someone else who started at the same time as you. They shouldn't be putting the two of you in competition like that and I'd look elsewhere for a permanent job.

This. You sound so entitled. Get over it.

What are you expecting from your manager if you discuss it with them? What do you want exactly?

You say the permanent role wasn't advertised...I can only guess that it was advertised internally only, or was an internal transfer (redeployment for one reason or another) or perhaps was advertised and filled before you saw the fixed term role advertised.

Either way unless there is a serious performance issue they cannot get rid of a permanent hire just because you are better....that's not how it works and would be grossly unfair if someone could just walk into your office and say "hire me and fire them because even though they are good enough, I am better"

They also can't be expected to invent a role for you. If your contract is covering mat leave for example they have to hold the role open for the return employee. If its fixed term for another reason then it may turn into a permanent role, but setting ultimatums for your manager is unlikely to help progress that.

Just keep doing what you're doing and don't cause problems, that's the best way to make them think they want to make you permanent.

You got the job you applied for so I don’t know why you are so annoyed.

If the other person isn’t very good they will probably get rid of that person at some stage and you are the ideal replacement.

People saying they can’t just get rid of someone are wrong, anyone can be dismissed for any reason whatsoever (so long as not discriminatory and a few other very limited reasons) within the first two years. You can be dismissed for poor performance at any time.

I would raise your concerns after I have looked at the job market and gained confidence that they would be easy to replace.

You shouldn't be doing a higher percentage of the work because another staff member is unable or incompetent. Training should be offered so you can pull equal weight.

You might not be on equal pay.

Legally possibly, but many companies would have procedures to go through to avoid getting to this point and ensure their is no risk of an unfair dismissal or discrimination claim. I would certainly have to jump through many hoops including a 3-6 month performance improvement plan that was being failed before I could even consider dismissing someone on a permanent contract.

Not being as good as someone else is not the same as poor performance. Just because one person is noticably out performing doesn't mean the other is under performing.