Leaving a maternity cover position early?

[LemonMuffins]

It's all hypothetical at the moment but I have an interview shortly for a maternity cover contract. It's a decent job with a decent employer and the job market is currently dire (I'm out of work right now).

I also have an assessment day in late July for something that doesn't come up very often, is a complete career change and if successful, will involve starting a great training course in Jan or Feb next year.

If by some miracle I am lucky enough to secure both positions, I'd have to leave the maternity cover job a couple of months early...

I presume maternity cover is usually done on a fixed term basis? Do fixed term contracts generally have a standard one month (or whatever is usual) resignation clause in them or am I trapped for the full term?

I know it's not ideal but because of the timings, I wouldn't want to turn down a decent fixed term job, before the other assessment day even happens. Likewise, I don't want to turn down the possibility of doing something career changing for the sake of a job which may well end after 7 or 8 months and see me jobless again...

If it comes to it, should I be able to leave without issue?

Bumping in case anyone knowledgeable is around....

You will be able to leave a fixed term contract in the same way you can leave a permanent contract. Just make sure the terms of your notice period aren't 6 months!

It's annoying for them but not a lot they can do. My maternity cover has resigned half way through.

As my manager is fond it saying 'it's employment, not indentured servitude' - you're free to leave whenever you want. Agree with pp, just check the duration of the notice period.

Thanks. It's not something I'd usually consider doing but needs must...

I'm finding it so difficult to secure interviews at the moment, even for jobs I should technically be able to walk straight into so I'd be foolish to turn down a decent opportunity.

Any employer advertising a fixed term contract should assume that the employee will leave early if they're any good.

You'd be insane not to look for your next job with a few month's lead in so it's common that you'll have to cut the contract short to move on to another opportunity.

You're never trapped, indentured labour went out of style quite some time ago!
Just give notice in the normal way in accordance with your contract of employment if you get something else.
It happens all the time with temporary jobs.

Oh and if the person on mat leave decided to come back early, 99% of employers would be giving notice to you, so why should the employee not be able to give notice early too if their situation changes?