Re: QUESTION: contract blues

["Gibson, Stephanie" <SGibson -at- QWIZ -dot- COM>]

Jacqueline,

First of all, don't push the issue.  If you push them into signing a
contract (or similar) stating that you will have the job if the other
person doesn't return, you'll run the risk of pushing the company away.
If the person doesn't return by April, and you're still doing a good
job, chances are really good that you'll eventually get the job. It's
not uncommon for the company to post the job and, at least, allow any
other internal candidates to apply.  This doesn't necessarily mean that
dozens of qualified candidates will hit the door with their resumes.
The company is simply trying to protect itself against claims of
discrimination, etc. if they 'create' a position and/or not interview
anyone else.  But, you've already proven to them that you're capable of
doing the work, so you have a few feathers in your cap already.

What you want to do is to leave the door open, even if the person
returns, to provide additional contract (or otherwise) assistance to the
company in the future.  There may be another opening in the same
department later on and you want your name to be fresh in their minds as
a cooperative, interested, enthusiastic candidate.  If it seems like a
good fit, it'll probably work out.  Be patient.

Good luck,
stef

> ----------
> From:         Jacqueline Fry[SMTP:jfry -at- ARRAY -dot- CA]
> Reply To:     Jacqueline Fry
> Sent:         Monday, January 26, 1998 1:33 PM
> To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject:      QUESTION: contract blues
>
> Hi.
>
> Here's the details of my problem. I am on contract here, filling in
> for a
> lady on maternity leave. We're not sure if she's coming back at all.
> She has
> until early April to decide (apparently this is a "legal" thing. She
> went on
> leave in late July '97. BTW, my contract ends in the middle of May). I
> would
> like some assurance that I have a job here if she doesn't come back.
> However, I've been told that that may not happen, because they still
> need to
> advertise the job (because it would be a 'job vacancy', not just a
> need for
> a contract to cover for someone on leave). Is this a usual and/or
> legal
> thing? Apparently I would be considered as a candidate for the "full
> time
> job", but it would not automatically be given to me, even though I've
> been
> here for almost 6 months and have been doing the job well. I've asked
> if
> there's a possibility that a document could be drawn up that says
> "Yes, you
> have the job IF <blank> doesn't come back", with the understanding
> that if
> she *does* come back, they're not obligated to give me a job.
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Has anyone been in a similar
> situation? If so, what happened? Please e-mail me off list, as I
> realize
> this may not be totally on-topic.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Jacqueline Fry
> Documentation Specialist
> Array Systems Computing Inc.
> 1120 Finch Avenue West, 8th Floor
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 3H7
> Phone: 416-736-0900 ext. 275
> E-mail: jfry -at- array -dot- ca
>
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