Fixed-Term Contracts at Lancaster

Fixed-Term Employees Regulations

The law has changed! Permanent contracts are now the default and the use of fixed-term contracts has to be justified by employers. The ending of a fixed-term contract must be treated as any other redundancy and staff on fixed-term contracts must not be discriminated against.

Since the introduction of the Fixed-term Employees Regulations, LUCU has helped a number of colleagues receive confirmation of their permanent status.

However, many staff at Lancaster still remain on fixed-term contracts and we are working to improve this situation. We need your help in achieving this at Lancaster.

How you can help

  • Ask your colleagues on fixed-term contracts whether they're aware of their rights and suggest they get in touch with LUCU.
  • If you've worked at Lancaster for four years on fixed-term contracts and haven't received a written justification for why your contract is still fixed-term, you have a right to request confirmation of your permanent status from HR. Contact David Pearson (davidpearson@lancaster.ac.uk) who will support you in making this request.
  • If you've received a written justification, please let us know. We're currently building a picture of the "objective justifications" that are being used to keep colleagues on fixed-term contracts. There are still colleagues at Lancaster who should be permanent but are not.
  • If you have witnessed or experienced treatment or policies in any department or faculty that discriminate against colleagues on the basis of their fixed-term contracts, please let LUCU know. We are collecting examples that might constitute less favourable treatment (in relation to comparable permanent employees).
  • To discuss any fixed-term contract issues in confidence, contact local UCU caseworker David Pearson (davidpearson@lancaster.ac.uk).
  • If you are aware of Lancaster colleagues on fixed-term contracts who are not UCU members, please point them to this page. We welcome new members.
  • Most importantly, remember that the starting position now is that your contract is permanent if you have worked at Lancaster for four years on successive contracts. It is the responsibility of your employer to reduce the use of fixed-term contracts and to justify any continued use of them.

Further Information

You can obtain additional information from the following:

  • The UCU website includes background information and guidance on fixed-term contracts:
  • The UCU branch of University College London contains some excellent information and question and answers on fixed-term contracts: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/unions/UCU/fixedterm/index.htm
  • Local information and support, contact Andrew Lucas (andrew.lucas@lancaster.ac.uk) or David Pearson (davidpearson@lancaster.ac.uk).

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