moritorium
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I work in a public sector agency, impacted by the recruitment moritorium. I was recently told my contract would not be renewed, as it expires within the term of the moritorium.
Upon checking my contract I now see that the only reference to a "fixed term" is in the cover letter -- but no duration was specified. The contract itself says I am retained "for the specific purpose of reporting on XYZ", which are permanent functions of the agency (ie, not specific projects of a defined run). It says the commencement and natural termination dates are set out in the next para.
The next para contains no dates, neither start nor end. It merely says that I will not have recourse to the Unfair Dismissals Act if dismissal occurs as per the termination date. But there is no date!
I queried this with HR who told me it was a mistake, but their "intention" was always to issue a fixed term contract. They subsequently wrote to me (nine months after my initial appointment) to confirm the termination date which was absent from the original contract signed.
So where do I stand?
I'm not particularly looking for a fight as I enjoy working here... but HR are unwilling to concede a mistake occured...
Upon checking my contract I now see that the only reference to a "fixed term" is in the cover letter -- but no duration was specified. The contract itself says I am retained "for the specific purpose of reporting on XYZ", which are permanent functions of the agency (ie, not specific projects of a defined run). It says the commencement and natural termination dates are set out in the next para.
The next para contains no dates, neither start nor end. It merely says that I will not have recourse to the Unfair Dismissals Act if dismissal occurs as per the termination date. But there is no date!
I queried this with HR who told me it was a mistake, but their "intention" was always to issue a fixed term contract. They subsequently wrote to me (nine months after my initial appointment) to confirm the termination date which was absent from the original contract signed.
So where do I stand?
- Does the absence of dates from my original contract breach my employment rights?
- Does the reference to "specific purpose" and absence of termination date means this is an open-ended contract?
- Failing that, since I operated without official knowledge of my termination date for 9 months, can I now dispute my dismissal if it occured?
I'm not particularly looking for a fight as I enjoy working here... but HR are unwilling to concede a mistake occured...