FTC notice period

[Noticebored2023]

My 12 month contract comes to an end at the end of this month. During the contract my notice period has been 2 months.

I've been asked stay on but haven't been given full details for the role or a new contract.

So in theory I assume I could just walk away with no further notice at the end of the contract? I realise it might be considered unprofessional to do so but I'm concerned about details not being confirmed past the end date, and an interesting role has come up elsewhere requiring a start as soon as possible. Could they argue I should be giving notice even though I have nothing in writing regarding the extension and it's only been agreed verbally?

A contract doesn’t need to be written to be binding. Have you verbally agreed to stay on, based on the same terms? If so, you may well be required to give the 2 months notice stipulated in the original contract.

I've verbally agreed to stay on with no terms at all being discussed - not even salary or confirmation of what my role would entail. The work would not be the same work I have been doing so far. I would be moving on to different projects. It's not a simple extension.

But it is continuous employment and your terms remain the same. So technically, a verbal agreement to stay on your part is sufficient. Whether they will hold you to that is a different matter. That is a discussion you would have to have with them if offered the other post.

Did they give you a written contract at the start?
This would have an end date for an FTC, so if it is extended, logically they would give you at least a letter telling with the new end date (I appreciate not every company is organised that way though).
Not sure how they can hold you to a notice period when they’ve not even told you what your role will be after the end of the month.
Either way don’t burn your bridges, ask for clarity, but don’t hold off applying for other roles when you only have a vague promise of extension. You’ll probably find the contract will materialise on Friday afternoon on your last day…