Fixed term contracts and pay rises (or not . . .)

[ScotsLassDownSouth]

Hi

I've been in my job since December 2006, starting on a maternity cover contract. The lady did not come back, so I have stayed on since. My boss wanted to give me a full time contract, but there have been changes/politics going on, so I have stayed on contract extensions.

There is a company wide payrise every June (this year it is 5%, last year 3%) - but I have never had a payrise as I am "fixed term". I am employed by the Company (not through an agency) and am a member of the Pension Scheme, get medical insurance and Childcare Vouchers.

I am also aware that people doing the same job as me (but who are on staff contracts) are now earning about £8000 per annum more than me.

Can I do anything? I'm sure that I read something somewhere that fixed-term contract workers should be treated as favourably as full term workers.

I suppose I could look for a new job! - but I quite enjoy the job and it is very convenient for me. Also my husbandd is a high earner so I don't really "need" the money. But I know I do a good job and got an excellent appraisal.

Just feeling a little undervalued, I guess. . . Any replies appreciated!

You are right ScotsLass, as a fixed term employee you must not be treated less favourably, so if everyone else gets a 5% increase, you should get the same. Here. As you will see from the link, you don't necessarily have to have the same terms and conditions but overall they must not be less favourable. Some employers pay more to compensate for not including fixed term employees in other benefits, but as you are already included in the benefits your pay increases should be the same.

Flowery, thank you so much. I shall spend my lunch hour writing a letter to HR/my manager!

It's my own fault, really - because I don't really "need" the payrise I didn't want to make an issue of it - but I am a good worker and think I deserve the going rate.

Just a thought - raise it verbally with your manager first? If you haven't already that is.

If I were your manager I'd prefer you spoke to me first and explained the situation, putting your case for an equivalent pay rise. Your manager may either agree, or refuse, or want to check the legal situation with HR first, which is obviously fine, but I think if I were your boss I'd rather have a conversation first than have a letter land on my desk.

If your boss is supportive having him/her fight your case for you might be a lot more effective.

Just an idea - obviously I don't know the protocol in your company or what your relationship with your manager is like.

Good luck!

Thanks, Flowery - I have already had a word with her and she is supportive. I will show her the link and hopefully she will go back to HR and fight my corner.

I work for a very large multi-national company and I'm just a little surprised that HR seem to be ignorant of the law!

Giving them the benefit of the doubt, if it's a big company and a large-scale pay rise, it may have been an administrator or someone who was ignorant and left you off, and it's been overlooked by people who do know. Unlikely as you say that HR as a whole would not know but could have been missed accidentally.

If you have a supportive boss and he/she approaches the right person you should have no trouble at all.