Contracts 'likely to go perm' - a new trend?

**northernladuk** · 20 February 2016, 14:09

It's gonna be a tough call staying outside on a temp to perm contract IMO. If they want perm they'll be treating you like one. I don't think they will treat you like a contractor on your last day and a permie on the Monday. The role will also be a perm one so your work schedule is going to read like a role profile.

Dunno about it being a trend. Seen it on jobserve from time to time for many years although all 4 are temp to perm is a bit unusual.

**SueEllen** · 20 February 2016, 14:24

I've seen this for years.

It's generally because no-one with those skills, which the company couldn't be bothered to train up, wants to work for that company. In other words I see it as a red flag especially for some companies who I get a ton of emails from.

I have contracted at medium size companies who had no issues hanging on to staff once they got them in. The main reason is they give their staff time to train up in new skills and let them use them in their work. They do this regularly enough to keep their staff happy and turnover down.

**clearedforlanding** · 20 February 2016, 14:26

So a six month probation period for a permanent job?

**Hobosapien** · 22 February 2016, 14:33

If there's a freeze on perm staff, unless that changes before the 3 months are up then they won't be offering you a perm job!

I'd try to get a copy of the contract before deciding whether to go for the interview and if the contract looks like a typical contract and not some temp employee bollocks, then go for the interview and see what the client is saying. If they go on about perm transitions or anything not purely a contract role then you know what they are after.

Worse case you get a 3 month contract while waiting for a better one to come along. Best case, the agent is talking bollocks (it has been known) and you'll be there for a good while with working practices that are safely outside IR35.

The client may offer you a perm role but you don't have to accept it, or you can say you'll think about it at the next renewal. Once saw a PM contractor string the client out for over a year with a 'maybe but not just yet, can you improve the terms' routine as he didn't want to go permie but made them think they had a chance of him doing so.

**LondonManc** · 22 February 2016, 15:01

Contract-to-perm may not be for you but you could reasonably get at least six months out of it if you do well enough in your first three months, especially if there's still a perm headcount freeze in place.

**northernladuk** · 22 February 2016, 15:02

No one else not liking the IR35 situation doing a clearly perm role as a contractor??? Only takes the client to mention it in an investigation and it's game over?

**Hobosapien** · 22 February 2016, 15:08

With a permie hiring freeze maybe the client just wants the work done.

Certainly needs full caution regarding IR35 but doesn't that only kick in after 6 months anyway? So plenty of time to make sure all watertight on the working practices or bail out at renewal if not looking good.

**SueEllen** · 22 February 2016, 16:03

Originally posted by Hobosapien View Post

With a permie hiring freeze maybe the client just wants the work done.

Then hire a contractor and don't give the tulip about the role going perm.

You will get a better contractor that way as you get people applying with years of experience.

**northernladuk** · 22 February 2016, 16:08

Originally posted by Hobosapien View Post

With a permie hiring freeze maybe the client just wants the work done.

Certainly needs full caution regarding IR35 but doesn't that only kick in after 6 months anyway? So plenty of time to make sure all watertight on the working practices or bail out at renewal if not looking good.

Why do you think IR35 kicks in after 6 months????

Contracts 'likely to go perm' - a new trend?