Re: QUESTION: contract blues

[John Posada <posada -at- FAXSAV -dot- COM>]

Jacqueline...

Here's my take on this...understand that what I'm suggesting is only how I would approach this and I've been know to approach things "differently".

You cannot be left flapping in the wind subject to their whim, and as long as you do, they will leave all of their options open to the absolute last minute.  There is nothing wrong with this (I would), it's just in their best interest and not yours.  As far as the "job vacancy" bit, since you are a contractor, they have no commitment to you....AND YOU HAVE NONE TOWARD THEM.

Also, remember, that if you are doing a good job, they aren't going to look forward to taking the chance of loosing you if they don't have to. Aside from it being a pain in the butt, there are costs associated and they know that.

At this point, don't do anything.  In the middle of March, give 45 days notice.  Tell them that you will need 45 days to find your next assignment, so effective March 15th, you will be looking for a replacement contract to take the place of this one just like they will be looking for your replacement if she doesn't come back (with the implied understanding that should you find anything before they make up their mind, you will take it with a standard 2-week notice (which could be prior to the end of April).  If they would like to "re-interview" you should she not come back, you would be happy to consider their position, but their offer must be competitive with any other offers you may be considering.

What's now going on is no different from what happens during my contracts when they are up for renewal.

Protect yourself...nobody else will.

John Posada


>>>>>Hi.

Here's the details of my problem. I am on contract here, filling in for a
lady on maternity leave. We're not sure if she's coming back at all. She has
until early April to decide (apparently this is a "legal" thing. She went on
leave in late July '97. BTW, my contract ends in the middle of May). I would
like some assurance that I have a job here if she doesn't come back.
However, I've been told that that may not happen, because they still need to
advertise the job (because it would be a 'job vacancy', not just a need for
a contract to cover for someone on leave). Is this a usual and/or legal
thing? Apparently I would be considered as a candidate for the "full time
job", but it would not automatically be given to me, even though I've been
here for almost 6 months and have been doing the job well. I've asked if
there's a possibility that a document could be drawn up that says "Yes, you
have the job IF <blank> doesn't come back", with the understanding that if
she *does* come back, they're not obligated to give me a job.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Has anyone been in a similar
situation? If so, what happened? Please e-mail me off list, as I realize
this may not be totally on-topic.

Thanks.

Jacqueline Fry
Documentation Specialist
Array Systems Computing Inc.
1120 Finch Avenue West, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 3H7
Phone: 416-736-0900 ext. 275
E-mail: jfry -at- array -dot- ca

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