I might need to get legal advice but I'd be interested in views here frst.
I started work for a small (15-20 FTE) 4.5 years ago on a series of 6 months contracts supporting ad hoc projects. The day rate is modest but it allows me to WFH and I work 3 days a week. I know that I am rated very highly by those that know me
The 2 guys I worked for were pretty disorganised and getting them to renew contracts was a nightmare. They kept telling me they'd do it (but didn't) but not to worry I can stay ad infinitum. Eventually I just gave up and I have been working without a contract for the past 3 years. In hindsight perhaps not sensible but I'm planning on retiring at the end of this year and so I wasn't too concerned and trusted them completely.
In the past 6 weeks the businesses has been acquired by a much larger business and they are beginning to put people in. We never had an HR person at all but one has now transferred across. Seemingly she doesn't like Contractors and the gossip is she will replace all of us eventually. I'm hoping to stay under the radar for a while as she is on a major hiring programme and my day rate isn't going to put me at the top of any priority list. My boss has been transferred to the parent business and I now work for someone I know but she is fairly low level too. She leaves me alone and I think I've only heard from her once in 4 weeks. I'm busy enough but not overloaded
I'm concerned about my rights. I did read that after a period Contractors should be treated as any other employees but does my lack of contract mean that's not the case? I've never had any benefits (holiday, sick pay, pension cont's). What I'm concerned about is that Mrs HR will 'find me' and simply instruct that I leave, or maybe give me 4 weeks notice (that was specified in my last contract).
Given my impending retirement and WFH status (since moved house outside of commuting distance) finding another job is improbable but I could really do with the earnings from this year that I planned for and so I'm trying to look at any opportunity to delay the inevitable.
If anyone can give me an indication of my rights (if any) it would be appreciated
I started work for a small (15-20 FTE) 4.5 years ago on a series of 6 months contracts supporting ad hoc projects. The day rate is modest but it allows me to WFH and I work 3 days a week. I know that I am rated very highly by those that know me
The 2 guys I worked for were pretty disorganised and getting them to renew contracts was a nightmare. They kept telling me they'd do it (but didn't) but not to worry I can stay ad infinitum. Eventually I just gave up and I have been working without a contract for the past 3 years. In hindsight perhaps not sensible but I'm planning on retiring at the end of this year and so I wasn't too concerned and trusted them completely.
In the past 6 weeks the businesses has been acquired by a much larger business and they are beginning to put people in. We never had an HR person at all but one has now transferred across. Seemingly she doesn't like Contractors and the gossip is she will replace all of us eventually. I'm hoping to stay under the radar for a while as she is on a major hiring programme and my day rate isn't going to put me at the top of any priority list. My boss has been transferred to the parent business and I now work for someone I know but she is fairly low level too. She leaves me alone and I think I've only heard from her once in 4 weeks. I'm busy enough but not overloaded
I'm concerned about my rights. I did read that after a period Contractors should be treated as any other employees but does my lack of contract mean that's not the case? I've never had any benefits (holiday, sick pay, pension cont's). What I'm concerned about is that Mrs HR will 'find me' and simply instruct that I leave, or maybe give me 4 weeks notice (that was specified in my last contract).
Given my impending retirement and WFH status (since moved house outside of commuting distance) finding another job is improbable but I could really do with the earnings from this year that I planned for and so I'm trying to look at any opportunity to delay the inevitable.
If anyone can give me an indication of my rights (if any) it would be appreciated
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