AIBU to not show up to a meeting if I know I'm being sacked.

[Risingsun93]

I guess im looking for insights on this topic generally because I have never been dismissed before. Ok so for context I'm on a fixed-term 0 hour contract. It comes to an end on 30th November which is exactly 2 years.
Its been a good ride, great money with flexibility and I'm really upset (although not surprised) I just hoped there might be a further opportunity for me. I've engaged as much as possible and even done valuable training in the field to up my chances and shared this with them. Today I got an invite to a meeting that says "This meeting’s purpose is to consult with you because the contract on which you are working will come to an end on 30th November 2024 and no alternative funding or project has been identified and the University cannot provide internal funding." Therefore I know thw outcome is that I'm being dismissed. I know burning bridges is not good and I should swallow my pride but it's a real kick in teeth going to a meeting to be formally told I'm sacked when I know I am.

DH had something similar (IT Contract) and he offered to go and drop off his laptop and say bye to everyone. On his way out of the building he was stopped and offered a new contract.
I am not saying that will happen but you should always be professional as you never know what other opportunities there may be in the future

I did this for 8 years - FT contracts in HE. It’s not unusual - especially if working as an RA.

Attend and be positive. HE is a very small world and you run the risk of reputational damage in talking about being sacked and not turning up to this meeting.

You not being sacked just not having contact renewed due to money. Go, smile and they remember you when there's more money. To not go makes you look petty.

Did you read her post? She's NOT being sacked! She was on a zero hours contract with an END DATE of 30th November. That's literally all that's happening...her contract is ending.

I first want to apologise to anyone I have offended. That wasn't my intention and I realise along with immaturity I've also been naive (possible ignorant too). I'm going to go and see this as a positive. Even if the outcome is shaking hands and saying goodbye. My heads just been all over the place at the prospect of losing a job I love and income, I have of course known it was potentially coming to and end however it was only meant to be one year and was extended, so I hoped for it to happen again. I have been job searching these last few months and have struggled to find anything in my field which has got me a bit nervous also.
Thanks for all the input, I needed to hear it all.

This is my favourite response.

Finding out your income stream is coming to an end unexpectedly is stressful, OP. It’s ok to be upset and disappointed. The other posters trying to start up the hardship Olympics here need to calm down.

I said I don’t think you should use the word sacked but that’s just because I think that’s not helpful for your own feelings or mindset. This isn’t happening because of you or your performance, it’s the nature of contract work in academia.

But well done taking feedback onboard. I hope the meeting isn’t too awful and that you come out of this with strong references and find a new position soon.

You haven’t offended, or been immature. You’re clearly working in a job you love and that dream is now coming to an end for circumstances out of anyone’s control, which would be hard and upsetting for any of us.

Don’t apologise or take anything personally. I wish you well and hope that everything turns out ok for you.

Also they have a statutory responsibility to follow this process if [at the moment] they do not have guaranteed funding. My friend was told her post was redundant 3 times over a period of 9 years. Each time they managed to secure funding before the final end date.

Late to the party, but I had pretty much the same email, went to the meeting, spoke to my HOD/ HR/ Profs/ Faculty Manager and said I wanted to stay at the Uni and they sent out feelers. Finished my contract on 31st July, started anew (4 year contract!) on 1st August, preserving my service. Definitely go!

This isn't dismissal - it's you being let go at the known end of an agreed contract. You need to engage with the process.

My thoughts too. I can understand why OP is so upset. I sincerely hope there are other opportunities ahead

Don't burn bridges at a Uni (or anywhere, but Unis operate a lot of word of mouth IME of 20 yrs at one).

They may not need you or have a role, but if you've performed well and have a good reputation they can reach out to their internal contacts and see if there are any opportunities or if they need someone in the future, check to see if you are available.

If you burn your bridges, any informal question on how was @Risingsun93 will note that.

Go to the meeting, let them know you are keen to keep working there and would be happy to hear of any opportunities that might come up.

How you leave is just as important as what you did while you were there. Leave professionally and positively. It's the memory that will stay with them.

In our university, people at the end of their contracts (research or support staff) get a preferential interview and are given (if suitable) the next job that appears within the university.

I have many PhDs who have had many contracts that ran out and then have gone on to continuous employment that way, a couple to permanent, a couple to back to back fixed contracts. They have had to be flexible in the work they are prepared to do, one took an admin research role for a while, one a temp lecturer, but many have been employed for over 5 years now.

It is sad when these things end. It is typical in the sector at the moment, though, job cuts all round, nothing to do with you, so go to the meeting, say you'd like to stay, are highly motivated, ask if they have this preferential interview scheme and put out feelers in other departments. Good researchers are hard to find, I don't know anyone who has failed to get a position who wanted one- the harder thing is turning fixed contracts into permanent now.

It would be extremely immature not to go. You’re also wasting other people’s time. Don’t burn any bridges!

It is also important to know they will do this with every single person on a fixed term contract, offer a meeting, send a letter telling you there's no more funding. It's completely standard HR procedures and nothing to do with you. It's so they can't be accused of breaking the Fixed Term contract legislation. You can consult with a union rep and take one with you normally, or a 'supporter' if you like.

Congrats that amazing! I'm feeling hopeful but preparing for the fact nothing may come of it other than maintaining the relationship

Go to the meeting.

You know your contract is coming to an end but you don't know if there is something in a different department or a different work place.

You need to go to the meeting - there could be projects in the future which they could invite you back for - if you handle it with grace.

Sucks but go as you want a glowing reference from them and ask them to consider you for future opportunities. It’s hardly a surprise and you haven’t been sacked. It’s the end of a contract.

Would you not want them to consider re-employing you if funding became available?

If you would then go to the meeting.

If not then don't go.

Simple as that.

I don't understand this. You're clearly bright, working at a university, yet perceive a fixed contract coming to an end as being sacked which is not accurate. They've even explained the funding related reason. You're being dramatic and would be silly to burn bridges.

You’re on a fixed term contract which is coming to an end. You’re not being sacked in any way shape or form, they just don’t have money for you. Surely when you took on a fixed term contract you knew it was possible? My contract is fixed term. It has been extended for another year but who knows if it will get extended further. I could do without the hassle of finding another job but I knew when I took it that it could end of they couldn’t fund it further

If the meeting is taking place before your contract ends then you are being paid to attend surely? Your employer has requested your presence and you lose nothing by attending but could lose future opportunities by staying away.