Continuation of 3 month employment contract

[wilson83]

Hi, I am currently outsourced for a goverment department. I worked for the goverment originally on a 51 week contract and then a facilities company took me on, doing the same job. I orginally had a 6mth contract and since have been put on 2 (possibly 3) three month contracts. I don't sign anything every three months, it just gets extended.

Can anyone tell me if there is a limit on how many times I can be put onto a 3 month contract before I have to be given a longer contract or taken on permanently? I would like a bit more security in my job rather than worrying if I am getting the boot every 3

Advice appreciated!

[buildersmate]

After one year's continuous employment you have acquired rights associated with unfair dismissal. After two years employment you will have gained rights to redundancy payments if your employment is terminated. You effectively have the these rights even if your current employer doesn't (yet) realise it.
I'm assuming you were TUPE'd across.

[wilson83]

Hiya, Yes I was tupe'd over to the new company. I have had continuous employment for over ayear now as an outsourced employee, so am I able to request a more permanent contract or at least a 6-12 months contract rather than the 3 month contract they keep putting me on? Due to this I only get 6 days holiday every 3 months, and I have a holiday booked in June for 2 weeks, so I have to take 4 days unpaid as they won't carry my holiday over for me to get paid, but have already told me that its likely I will be kept on for another 3 months anyway!!

[buildersmate]

No, I don't think you are able to ask for that.
You can ask for for a longer contract term but you have no right to it.
However your employer is probably under the mistaken apprehension that your employment rights are limited.
That is not so, and apart from the ridiculous business about working holiday out in 3 monthly blocks, you have about as much employment rights as a 'permanent' employee has.
After two years continuous service you become entitled to redundancy pay - not that the Government minimum scheme requires employers to fork out very much.