Fixed Term/Temporary Contracts Guidance - August 2026
In this section
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Purpose
- 3. Scope
- 4. Differences Between a Fixed Term Contract and Temporary Contract
- 5. Workers
- 6. Successive Use of Fixed term/ Temporary Contracts
- 7. Issuing Fixed term/ Temporary Contracts
- 8. Rights of Fixed term/ Temporary Employees
- 9. Fixed Term/Temporary Contracts and Restructuring
- 10. Fixed-term or Temporary Employees Applying for Secondments
- 11. Selection for Redundancy
- 12. Redundancy Payment
- 13. Continuous Service
- 14. Access to Permanent Posts
- 15. Renewal and Non-Renewal of Fixed Term/Temporary Contracts
- 16. Reviewing Fixed term / Temporary Contracts
- 17. Renewal of a Fixed term / Temporary Contract
- 18. Non-Renewal of a Fixed Term / Temporary Contract
- 19. Ensuring Equality of Opportunity
- Appendix A – Restructuring and Fixed Term/ Temporary Contracts Q&A
- Appendix B – Consultation Invite Letter Fixed Term/ Temporary Contract
14. Access to Permanent Posts
An employee on a fixed-term contract does not have an automatic right to a post if it is decided that a permanent appointment will be made, for example where a member of staff decides not to return following maternity leave. This is because all vacancies should be advertised, however the employee will be able to apply for the post and should be treated on an equal footing with other candidates.