Fixed-term employment contracts

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What counts as a fixed-term contract

Employees are on a fixed-term contract if both of the following apply:

  • they have an employment contract with the organisation they work for
  • their contract ends on a particular date, or on completion of a specific task, eg a project

Workers don’t count as fixed-term employees if they:

  • have a contract with an agency rather than the company they’re working for
  • are a student or trainee on a work-experience placement
  • are working under a ‘contract of apprenticeship
  • are a member of the armed forces

They may be a fixed-term employee if they’re:

  • a seasonal or casual employee taken on for up to 6 months during a peak period
  • a specialist employee for a project
  • covering for maternity leave