Eligible for at least an interview?

[Claire123]

I have been employed on a 3 month rolling contract for the last 18 months. My contract is up at the end of July. My employers have announced job losses and reducing the workforce by 30 secretaries (and I received a personal letter to this effect explaining the process and how jobs would be allocated - point system on interview). We all have to attend an interview week commencing 18th June, the successful candidates will have a job, the rest will be redeployed on a lower grade but with pay protection. BUT I have been told I am not eligible as I only have a temporary contract. Can they get away with this? Anyone out there with a bit of knowledge re employment laws? Its the NHS of course!

[buildersmate]

I'm afraid a temporary contract is a temporary contract. They are not actually obliged to consider you for the revised jobs anyway.

[aristotle]

There is a rule about temporary contracts being less than 1 year so if yours has been extended beyond that you may well have some added protection. The DTI website is the place to look for the definitive answer.

[thugulike]

aristotle is right. You have accrued employment protection as you have been continuously employed by the organisation for over 1 year. Have a look at the ACAS website.