Any Rights as a Temp - Feeling Really Upset

[alisara]

As title suggests I am a temp.

Will try to keep this short, I for one reason or another (confidence, lack of success, current climate etc) can not find perm work, so therefore I work (have to as a temp)

The positions I work in are all long-term/ongoing admin roles (agency are good I am a single parent so need long roles also living in private rental with no support), and I have yet to be out of work (although I would give my right arm for a perm role).

Up until recently I was working in a long-term role which I found difficult (so I emailed the agency) and they came back a week later to let me know that a client I have worked for in the past have a contract (long-term 14 months) would i be interested. Of course I was, the chance of an income for 14 months without worry. I started yesterday.

Went in, said hello to all (as worked there in the past) and got talking and said that I was delighted etc etc to be there until June 13, guess what was told sorry did i make a mistake it is only for 6-8 weeks.

I showed them the emails as proof, and also proof from the agency that shows they double checked with the client that it is until June 13 and yes all there in black and white.

Line manager came back later to say they made a mistake etc etc etc I called HR (this is a large work environment) who got back to me and said they made an error with the year and apologised profusely.

In the nicest way I could I let them know how I felt, what they have done, how it effects me and that I gave up (trained someone last week!) an ongoing position and that now I am looking at in 6-8 weeks no job -they just said sorry, that I am a well -liked person (I worked there before! in a more senior role - but happy to work in any role) and that they would endeavour to find me the first position that comes up (temp of course) i said " ok but i honestly would not believe it if it happened)

Anyway agency also were calling and were good, agent who I have dealt with for almost 2 years is going to find me (she said and I do believe her) a long-term position (if one comes up!) and also told me not to worry about 6-8 weeks time because they will always have work for me....

But i am so sad now, I really really needed that job and was so happy only a day ago

Sounds awful but so upset that I cant go in today.........

Sorry you're feeling so upset, it sounds as if a genuine mistake has been made and everyone is keen to make it up to you. I can understand how horrible it must feel to think that you were set up for the next year and then find that you'll be looking for something new so soon.
However, at the moment it sounds as if the biggest issue is that you're not planning on going into work today - surely this will reflect badly on you (and possibly lose some of the goodwill of the client and your agent?)
I know its unsettling not to have a longterm contract, but actually the way things are at the moment even permanent staff can't guarantee they'll still have a job in 6-8 weeks time, surely its more important to focus on earning some money today, doing a good job for the next few weeks, and trusting that something else will come up?
Hope all goes well for you, good luck

Have you suffered any financial loss because of this mistake?

Thanks for the replies.

It was a mistake but an awful one, I felt bad especially as lets just say it is a huge employer involved in fair employment (that's all i can say).

I had quite a few texts etc from my colleagues at my last position asking how did I get on.......... couldn't say and my sister not speaking to me because I have done nothing! What can I do? I realise I have little if any rights.

I may be making a fuss to some, but I feel dreadful the position was checked many times by agency to see if it was June 13, and I have all off the evidence to back that up.

I feel down as I have been looking for work for a long-time and my confidence is already in tatters, and I felt so happy for once to have a break.

I temped for 2 years on a series of 3 months contracts and I know how draining the constant uncertainty is. Luckily I'm on a 12 month at the moment so I can understand how upset you must be to hav. It pulled from under you BUT you can't miss work today because of it, you have to suck it up and get on with it. It's a genuine mistake and people want to help you out. However if you don't go in, goodwill will start to disappear

Go and knock their socks off and make them realise they can't manage without you.

Thanks Redblanket, will go and get ready soon (good job it is flexi then) I agree I am so tired of the uncertainty and people thinking (family) that I am a "waster" as I temp, but I genuinely can't find permanent work.

How disappointing for you :( Presumably you are on a relatively short notice period (which is a benefit of being a temp, you can chop and change if something better turns up), At least they have told you now rather than you find out nearer the end of the 6/8 week period. who knows maybe a more permanent vacancy may come up within the company, which you may not have access to as an external candidate. You have learnt a harsh lesson in loyalty and perhaps realised that temping isn't an ideal long term career choice for you after all.

If it helps at all, the fact you are a temp has made no difference to your rights in this situation. Even if you were permanent they could still dismiss you at 6 weeks with no come back if a problem arose.

It sounds like a genuine error, and everyone concerned is very sorry and doing whatever they can to make it up to you. It's not worse because they are a big employer, or because they are involved in fair employment. Errors can happen anywhere and if they were not bothered by what had happened, or apologetic, that would reflect badly on them, but they are.

Thank you Flowery. I have called my local lra and law centre they have told me that more or less the same thing as you BUT if someone else is hired on the back of me to call back as they could be trying to avoid the new legislation.

Oh well I may keep on going, something perm will turn up hopefully!

Poor you! People often make mistakes and just don't realise the impact it has on people. Companies are particularly flippant with regard to contractors.

Get stuck in and do a good job for the weeks you are there. In the meantime, keep looking for another job/contract. You only need one and it sounds like you are well thought of.

Thank you Augustajones you are so right, (maybe I am being over the top) but I have honestly had enough, I am just so tired of having to live like this.

I know exactly how you feel. I recently accepted a 6 month contract, after which, I was told I would need to commute to another office 2.5 hours away for the first six weeks. No mention of this in the advert or in the two interviews involving four different people! I very politely told them to get stuffed...

You do have to put yourself first I'm afraid. No one else will!

Best of luck in finding a permanent role.

x

Hijack

Hijack over.

Hi Squiffy. You mean my discovery that I know nothing about made-up employee statutory rights? Well, given my line of work it was obviously a devastating discovery but with the help of regularly administered chocolate I'm managing to get over it.

Seriously, some things are not worth the head space are they?!