Are fixed-term jobs as bad as people make them out to be?

[BeCoralSeal]

I’ve often heard people say that fixed-term jobs are unstable, stressful, and not worth considering. I’ve recently received an offer for a fixed-term role, but I’ve also noticed that some people thrive in them - they provide variety, clear goals, and often look good on a CV.

Do you think fixed-term contracts are inherently bad or is their reputation exaggerated? Are they actually a good fit for certain career paths or personal preferences, or do they just create unnecessary anxiety about what comes next? Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

I have a FTC in NHS, it was extended last year and may be extended again. The uncertainty isn't nice as renewal is dependent on budgets and last minute notice, but other than that it's ok. If you prove your need and worth, you'll find people will go extra miles to try and get you in a substantive role or find money to renew contract.

I did a fixed term job (maternity cover) after redundnacy and it worked well. It allowed me to pivot in to a related but better paid career.

The only annoying thing was the orgsnisation wanted to keep me on but struggled to sort out more funding in time so I had to leave as I had been offered a permanent contract elsewhere and couldn't afford to risk turning it down.

It all worked out ok in the end though.

Not sure I'd leave a permanent job for a fixed term one though.

I am now in my second job with fixed term contract. So I've been working this way for 5 years in total. It's fine. Sometimes the organisation literally lets you know within 3 months of starting that they are planning to extend. Sometimes, it's relatively last minute.
I was initially nervous but have no concerns about job security having done it for so long. My current fixed term is being converted into permanent post in April.

I’ve never heard anyone say that - and many companies are going through restructuring at the moment so are only able to offer FTCs. You never know what will happen at the end but you never know with a permanent job either unfortunately and if you’d been there for less than 2 years you’d have no more rights on a permanent contract than an FTC.

What happens if someone wants to get a mortgage or a loan ? Will they lend to people on fixed term contracts?

I like them because I get bored easily and get a pay rise each time I move on. There’s alot of demand for my skill set and FTC are a way to use that to my advantage. It’s also enabled me to get a broad range of experience in my industry.

I do consultancy so am basically self employed - but because I’m employed through an umbrella company I can show continuous employment even if I change contracts. So they’ll take my earnings into account after a year - so my broker says as I asked this question recently.

I had a 3 year contract and the lenders were satisfied with that.

I’ve had two fixed-term roles and both were wonderful. The first invited me to interview for several other open roles as they wanted to keep me, but it was during Covid times and they wanted people in the office whereas I wanted to stay remote, otherwise I’d have jumped at the chance – they were giving me a very spoon-fed interview process to do everything to get me the job.

I chose another fixed-term role and they wanted to keep me too but couldn’t afford the hours so I went part-time but permanent. I later got made redundant while on maternity leave but I’m confident it was a genuine redundancy not a pregnant-then-screwed thing, and they’d given me a hugely generous maternity package. But obviously the job wasn’t stable when permanent!

I LOVE fixed-term – you can expand your skill set, never have to have goals or appraisals or KPIs or that kind of shite. The only downside is having to constantly job-hunt and keep an eye on the 800 different pensions you’ll accrue, and you’re not eligible to start paying into a pension till three months in. But I’d happily do a series of fixed-term roles for the rest of my life just to avoid the appraisals :)

I worked them for a while (academia) and didn't find it too stressful knowing they were ending, I didn't really struggle to find new positions (in London) and I didn't have a mortgage etc at the time.

But, when I switched to a permanent job outside academia, I did notice it took me a long time (probably a good 3 years) to really get into the mindset of being there for the long term - and that affected how I viewed projects, planning etc, thinking that "oh X won't happen for a year, I won't be here then / that won't affect me" and I think I find it hard to fully commit to longer term projects because of it. Even though now obviously I could leave at any time if I wanted but the default is that I'll be there.

People on fixed term contracts and self employed people can both get mortgages. It's a "mumsnet myth" that they can't.

Depends, are you good at getting jobs if it doesn't continue? If you can't find as good an opportunity can manage a loss in pay?
For me it wouldn't work but for some it does

I have had a few fixed term contracts, I've found it useful when switching roles, to be able to get a step up. As few people will leave an equivalent permanent post, there's less chance I'm competing against someone who has already done the job before. It has helped me to get experience to later get the same role but permanent. Some have led into permanent posts as well, depending on funding.

I have AuDHD so a "portfolio" career helps me to stay in employment and has led to me climbing up the ladder. I was freelance/self employed for a while but got burned out and practically my job didn't exist during the pandemic so I moved into a different side and started doing FTCs, usually Mat Leave cover.

It was all going alright and did lead to promotions and at one point a huge pay/responsibility increase but then I got seriously ill before the end of a contract and was off sick for final 3 months, the contract ran out, I was still too sick to work for many months and not elegible for benefits to cover my outgoings. It was a very precarious and scary time and I haven't quite recovered career wise or health wise. My pension is also a bit of a mess from jobs all over the place and periods of unemployment. Being single makes it even more precarious...through the various jobs I've had, I've met other people with a similar approach to work but they usually have wealthy spouses and can afford to keep a roof over their heads if there is nothing after the FTC.

I really wouldn't leave a permanent job for a temporary one.

Some times you just have to take what's available and with many organisations looking to cut numbers this is going to be more the case.