My Employer Said I Now Have To Go Permanent

[Treacle71]

I have been working for a not-for-profit organisation for the last 10 years on their 'internal agency' for them to save money on high street agencies. They're making cuts now and I now have to become permanent or I go with 4 weeks notice. I love being temporary. I wasn't even looking for any other work as I'd assumed I could carry on working forever like this! I will also have to change my working hours working by two hours later in the afternoon and starting two hours later. It will mean I'll have to come home in the dark now. They want my answer Monday. If I'd known a few months ago, I'd have applied for temp work elsewhere, but applying takes time. What do I do? Temping suits me to a tee.

[rockyracoon]

You really only have 2 choices. Stay or go.

The job market is a bit fragile at the moment so if I was you I'd stay and see how it goes. You have a while before the nights start drawing in.

[rockyracoon]

I also fail to see how you can be temping if you have been there for 10 years. Do you mean zero hours contract?

[Treacle71]

Yes, rocky. It's an ongoing role and they just kept me on and on as such! Now we have a new director who's shaken things up and who no longer wants admin staff on a temp basis, regardless of me working in-house. 

[Treacle71]

I don't want it permanent, but it might take ages to get other work. If I was given 6 months notice, then yes I'd have applied for work elsewhere. I don't know whether to take the risk and just leave.

[wolf63]

Nothing is stopping you from taking the permanent job and still look around for another job.

 

[rockyracoon]

I thought if you were on a temp contract for more than 4 years it automatically became permanent by default. I might be wrong. If this is the case, your employer may have been in the wrong for the past 6 years. That might be why a new boss is bringing HR up to date.

[rockyracoon]

'Nothing is stopping you from taking the permanent job and still look around for another job.

That's what I'd do. No point in being unemployed for no reason.

[naomi24]

Few people like every aspect of their job but if you've been there for ten years presumably you're fairly content with it.  With the job market being not too great at the moment, you have to ask yourself if another job - if you manage to get one - will give you exactly what you want?  I doubt it.  As for coming home in the dark, most people do that in winter.   I think you should count yourself lucky that they've offered you a permanent job.  They could have just laid you off.  If you accept the offer and then change your mind, you can always resign.  You'll be no worse off than if you reject the offer now.

[scorpiojo]

You've complained a lot about your co-workers, and said that you don't like your job, so why do you stay?

[Treacle71]

Because I'm working on myslf, scorpiojo.  

[davebro3]

do wot wolf said

[Treacle71]

Thank you davebro3.

[davebro3]

you're welcome

[pastafreak]

I agree...do as wolf recommended. At least you have the security of a job that you like and know. I hate to say it, but the older you get, the more job security becomes necessary. It's not easy looking for work when employers want lively younger people. 

[Treacle71]

Thank you, pasta.  It's something else bothering me too. 

My prospective new work hours have unexpectedly disrupted my comfortable living arrangement with my mother. Our co-dependent (and sometimes explosive) relationship involves me doing household chores in exchange for her cooking my dinner when I come home from work (which I'm eternally grateful for).  Call me a spoilt brat! However, her refusal to adjust meal times due to her dietary needs and my new work schedule has caused friction. I proposed bringing my own dinner home, but she seems disgruntled. How can I navigate this situation without straining our relationship further?

[barry1010]

Cook your own dinner. You would if you lived alone.

Ask your mother to clean up the breakfast things

[naomi24]

If your new work schedule doesn't suit your mother there's nothing you can do about it.  Cook your own dinner.   No doubt she'll get over being disgruntled about this when something else comes along to disgruntle her.

[Treacle71]

Lol Naomi 🤭

[Maydup]

In reality there is no difference between the old and the new employment status. As a temp with 10 years service you had gained the rights of a permanent employer so the company are doing the appropriate thing by making it permanent officially. 
the change of hours is a bit cheeky but it's what happens when there's a restructure. You could ask if you could take the permanent contract but on your old hours. They can only say no. 

[DDIL]

Get your mother to put your meal in a box so you can heat it up when you get home