Hopefully someone can clarify an issue with temporary employees.
If an employee was taken on for a temporary contract (term of contract was not specified), and the contract was not revisited or amended, would this employee become a permanent employee after a length of time, something like 11 months? I know a temporary employee can have their temporary contract renewed up to approx 4 years, but what if the initial contract was not changed. It must be wrong to have a non-specified temporary contract. Obviously the above is not ideal and needs to be fixed – appreciate the help.
There is no concept in Irish employment law of a temporary contract as such.
If somone is taken on for a permanent job , the employer can terminate them within 12 months, without having to explain why.
If someone is taken on for a "temporary job" but stays beyond the 12 months, they are protected by the Unfair Dismissals Act, and the employer must justify their dismissal.
A fixed term contract is different, but that is not at issue in your case.