Last updated 10 April 2007
Is my FTC now an Open Ended Contract?
It depends. After 10 July 2006 you have the right to regard your position with the university as permanent as long as:
- You are on your second FTC with the university
- You have had at least 4 years continuous service
- Your FTC is not justified on 'Objective Grounds'
What are 'Objective Grounds'? They haven't yet been formally agreed between UCU and the University, but the draft Transfer Policy is widely followed.
The most important point is that 'availability of funding' will be much restricted as a reason for continuing to use fixed
term contracts at this university. For example if funding is 'X' months or less it can be used as an OG, but not if it is over 'X' months. X has been provisionally agreed to be 12 months. It had been hoped to eliminate this as an OG entirely however we have to be pragmatic.
Here's a flow chart that might be a little bit clearer.
And here's a model letter for HR. If in doubt - contact UMUCU.
Note that HR cannot use hindsight to determine Objective Grounds. They are not any justification that may exist at the time of your inquiry - they must reflect the situation that existed when your contract was last renewed. If Hr cannot determine any OG, then the law says your contract is permanent - you do not have to wait for a bit of paper from HR to say so.