Temp Contract Civil Service

Snotty

I've been offered a 2 year contract within the civil service IT related, job sounds good and in my field/skill set. Problem is its a temp contract and I'm in a very secure job but a job that will be seeing a lot of changes in the next two years and if I'm honest, I'd rather not be there for.
My problem is the 2 year contract, I spoke with the head of the department and obviously he couldn't give guarantees but he does see growth and would be very hopeful I would be kept on. I know no one's can say for sure what will happen, but is it usual to be offered a fixed term contract and if it is usual, would the minority or majority get made contract.
Also, I assume I'm not in the public sector pension process unless permanent?

blue_blue

Snotty wrote: »

I've been offered a 2 year contract within the civil service IT related, job sounds good and in my field/skill set. Problem is its a temp contract and I'm in a very secure job but a job that will be seeing a lot of changes in the next two years and if I'm honest, I'd rather not be there for.
My problem is the 2 year contract, I spoke with the head of the department and obviously he couldn't give guarantees but he does see growth and would be very hopeful I would be kept on. I know no one's can say for sure what will happen, but is it usual to be offered a fixed term contract and if it is usual, would the minority or majority get made contract.
Also, I assume I'm not in the public sector pension process unless permanent?

You sure this isn't a Public Sector organisation? That wouldn't be unusual to come in on a fixed term contract and then have it renewed or made permanent after 2 years.

Never heard of Civil Service offering a 2 year contract.

Snotty

blue_blue wrote: »

You sure this isn't a Public Sector organisation? That wouldn't be unusual to come in on a fixed term contract and then have it renewed or made permanent after 2 years.

Never heard of Civil Service offering a 2 year contract.

Goes to show you the level of my knowledge, it's a local authority, I just assumed these are all civil service, I'm guessing I should have said Public sector

Snotty

Snotty wrote: »

Goes to show you the level of my knowledge, it's a local authority, I just assumed these are all civil service, I'm guessing I should have said Public sector

You will pay into the pension scheme as a direct employee.
Under 2 years allows for a refund. Not sure of exactly 2 years.

Mr. G

Snotty wrote: »

My problem is the 2 year contract, I spoke with the head of the department and obviously he couldn't give guarantees but he does see growth and would be very hopeful I would be kept on. I know no one's can say for sure what will happen, but is it usual to be offered a fixed term contract and if it is usual, would the minority or majority get made contract.
Also, I assume I'm not in the public sector pension process unless permanent?

It sounds like you would be a full-time direct personable employee of the local authority. It wouldn’t be uncommon to start out in the public sector on fixed term contracts and then be extended or apply internally for a permanent role after a period. Civil Service is more formal and don’t have the same level of control over their local recruitment as general Public Service. Depending on the public body, posts may be normally advertised internally and if not filled then go external. It wouldn’t be guaranteed that you would get the post but the only thing I will say is in my experience the public sector is seriously lacking in (and crying out for) technical resources across the board - if you’re good they will try to keep you. But again, it’s not guaranteed. They can’t predict how future competitions / interviews will go as these cannot be biased.

The post may have been advertised on a fixed term contract due to budget constraints, specific project, cover etc.

As for the pension, up to 2 years you can get this refunded or transfer it to another public sector body if you decide to move organisation.