Fixed term contract to cover maternity leave

[solo2]

Never looked at a job covering someone else's leave so have no idea what pitfalls there maybe apart from the obvious one of possibly no job at the end of it.

My questions so far are if anyone can help:

Do I have to stay the whole duration of the fixed contract? Say contract is 18 months long and after 12 months I am unexpectedly offered my ideal job elsewhere that I previously failed to get, can I hand in and work my notice to leave like a normal contract?

At the end of the contract and the person on leave comes back and I'm out of a job, if I'm unable to secure further employment before I leave can I claim normally on mortgage payment protection insurances? I know you will all say read the small print but I cant see anything saying you can or can't. What about if things get desperate and I have to think about signing on/claiming benefit? Would I b considered as giving up work voluntarily therefore unable to claim? I've always worked and never claimed in my life but there is always a first.

Any other pitfalls?

[CaptainSlow]

Is this a different role with your current employer?

[davepoth]

solo2 said:

Never looked at a job covering someone else's leave so have no idea what pitfalls there maybe apart from the obvious one of possibly no job at the end of it.

My questions so far are if anyone can help:

Do I have to stay the whole duration of the fixed contract? Say contract is 18 months long and after 12 months I am unexpectedly offered my ideal job elsewhere that I previously failed to get, can I hand in and work my notice to leave like a normal contract?

You can always hand in your notice, don't worry about that.

Maternity contracts are great for moving up in the world. you get effectively a 12 month period in which to audition for the role you'll be filling in.

[solo2]

CaptainSlow said:

Is this a different role with your current employer?

No, new employer.

[rog007]

Notice process as normal; length of notice as per the contract that you may wish to have some input in to. For an 18-month contract I'd expect 1 month for junior/middle grade and 3 months for more senior roles.

Re mortgage protection; you really do need to speak to the provider. Usually though, a standard policy would only cover involuntary redundancy, not you just being out of work because your contract ended. You may have a policy that covers regular unemployment so you need to check with provider (I'd imagine it highly unlikely though).

Top tip therefore; begin the search for your new permanent role as soon as you start this one; don't wait!

Good luck!

[98elise]

davepoth said:

solo2 said:

Never looked at a job covering someone else's leave so have no idea what pitfalls there maybe apart from the obvious one of possibly no job at the end of it.

My questions so far are if anyone can help:

Do I have to stay the whole duration of the fixed contract? Say contract is 18 months long and after 12 months I am unexpectedly offered my ideal job elsewhere that I previously failed to get, can I hand in and work my notice to leave like a normal contract?

You can always hand in your notice, don't worry about that.

Maternity contracts are great for moving up in the world. you get effectively a 12 month period in which to audition for the role you'll be filling in.

Agreed. The person might not come back, other opportunities may come up in the company etc.

[sjj84]

My wife started her teaching career on a maternity cover contract for a year, it was 6 years before she left and went to another school. Seems quite common in teaching.

Notice period for leaving during that first year was exactly the same as for a full contract.

[edc]

solo2 said:

At the end of the contract and the person on leave comes back and I'm out of a job, if I'm unable to secure further employment before I leave can I claim normally on mortgage payment protection insurances? I know you will all say read the small print but I cant see anything saying you can or can't. What about if things get desperate and I have to think about signing on/claiming benefit? Would I b considered as giving up work voluntarily therefore unable to claim? I've always worked and never claimed in my life but there is always a first.

Any other pitfalls?

You should check the wording of any cover or policy you are looking to fall back on.A fixed term contract by definition has an end date. You know when it is going to finish. I would suspect mortgage insurance will not protect you in this scenario. Why would a provider pay-out for an event that is almost guaranteed to happen?

[andy-xr]

While it's a fixed term contract you can still leave and still be asked to leave in that period. I doubt mortgage protection insurance would be valid tbh if your contract ended and you dont have anything new to go to

Having said that, fixed term can be a great way to get into a company if other avenues arent working out, and if the company has other openings then you'd stand a better chance than a random Herbert applying for another job, should one come up