Contract job

lisajane

I might sound stupid but i honestly have no idea. There's a factory offering work as a contract. Its always been a good company to work for with good pay but what does contract mean? Does it mean they can take me on and screw me around and lay me off as they please? Or would it be working on a contract for 3/6 months before you'll be considered permanent?
Im really clueless.

speedy2007

afaik, contract work is usually for a set amount of time, eg.- 3 or 6months. At the end of the contract, they would then either let you go, or may renew the contract for another period. But as you're not permanent, you dont get benefits like sick pay or holiday pay.
My understanding is from contract roles in IT, not factory work...but id imagine it would be the same idea. You could ask im sure how long the contract is for.

lisajane

So would it be a good idea to leave a job im permanent in for contract work? Im really just looking to get out of the place im in now, i hate it. And that said, im fussy, i dont think il like just any job.
Im sending my cv off to places im interested in as a vet's assistant and i have my eye on the job section in the veterinary journal hoping a suitable place comes up.
I dont know should i stick it out a bit longer in the place im in now in the hope of getting what i want soon or should i go for other work which i probably wont like.

Nody

As a contract worker as noted will you only make money while working. You don't get any sick leave, holidays etc. paid and also have to pay your own tax (or pay someone else to do it!). It also means unless you expect to be able to find a constant stream of contracts (and going out there selling yourself in the current market where contractors are the first to go) it is not the route to go.

Kojak

lisajane wrote: »

I might sound stupid but i honestly have no idea. There's a factory offering work as a contract. Its always been a good company to work for with good pay but what does contract mean? Does it mean they can take me on and screw me around and lay me off as they please? Or would it be working on a contract for 3/6 months before you'll be considered permanent?
Im really clueless.

Yes, it does mean that they can let you go whenever you want. You'd want to know exactly that its a "fixed term contract" as I've seen some companies take on agency workers on a week-to-week rolling contract basis simply so that they can let them go at any stage.

At the moment, not many companies are making permancies, AFAIK. Also, if you are taken in as an external contactor you will never be made part of the company and haven't a snowball's chance in hell of getting permancy. Sorry to say it, but its the truth.

lisajane

Thanks for the replies. The work was offered by a recruitment agency alright. So theres no chance of a secure job then? I like to have a secure job, however im willing to give it all up to work with animals.