Job Question Causing Serious Stress. Advice Needed

[halseyskates33]

I am currently working as a temp and was given a two month assignment starting in August. Speaking to my recruiter from the temp agency she is unable to tell me whether or not my assignment is ending "I have not heard you assignment is ending" and "My advice to you is to keep working hard", also "they could extend you, you are doing a great job, why would they want to get rid of you?"

ON one hand I could start applying to jobs and potentially lose my current job (4 mins from my house and ideal)

OR I could just ride it out and hope.....

The company does extend contracts and has a pattern of keeping good workers (which by the company's own admission I am)

My direct supervisor has no idea if they are extending my contract. I feel that they should know with less than 2 weeks remaining.

Never done temp work before and would like to stay with  the company. What should I do, other than grinding my teeth and stressing?

[BlueHouse]

You have a two-month assignment.  Until you hear otherwise, consider it ending after two-months.  Your temp agency contact is trying to make sure that the customer (not you) is satisifed. 

Go to both the temp agency and the company and explain that you were only assigned 2 months.  If they wish to extend, they should tell you now because you like the arrangement.  If not, explain that you need to begin the process of looking for your next gig so that there isn't a gap in your employment. 

Do not give the employer/temp agency all the power.  Employers need good employees as much as we need them.  This is not personal, it is business.  Now put on your professional hat and show them that you understand how agreements work and that as a professional, it's time to start figuring out your next step.  They may try to hire you directly, which sounds like something you'd be interested in.  good luck!

[Bicycle_B]

I recommend doing both.

Nothing about wanting to stay means you can't apply to other jobs.  Finding another job puts you in a position of power. You should do it.

If they do extend you, of course you can keep working there.  Heck, if you like it and your direct supervisor doesn't object, you could even show up the Monday after the two months and keep working.  Just keep the agency posted, and send emails to everyone ensuring they know of your action:  "Since my work is going well and contracts here are routinely extended, I am continuing to report for work until receiving a clearer direction.  Please let me know ASAP if anything should be done differently."

As always, save what $ you can so that these things will be less of a worry in the future. 

[RobFIRE]

That's a downside of temp or contract work. Even if you do a great job some bean counter in head office may decide your line on his spreadsheet is a cost that makes his totals look bad, so you may not get an extension (even if on another bean counter's spreadsheet you are saving much more than that cost).

As suggested, all you can really do is politely nudge the employer to offer you an extension, reminding them that you're doing well and it's work you're enjoying, yet if they don't make an offer, you will of course have to look for work elsewhere and then may not be available to them.

If your situation is that you can't afford time without work, then I think you need to start looking for other work to start in October (if in mid September, such work is now available). If you could afford a bit of time without work, then it would be less hassle to wait and see whether the contract is extended, you might get an extension at no extra effort.

The lack of certainty sounds fairly typical of most companies where they struggle to plan very far ahead.

I would expect the temping agency to be fairly useless in such situations as their interests are to find the employer a worker, not really to represent your interests, and can only act on the employer's formal instructions.

[tipster350]

The nature of temp work is there are no guarantees, implied or otherwise. The employer could not only not extend your assignment until last minute, they can decide any day that it is your last day. Even if you are doing a great job, as has been mentioned, someone can decide they don't need the additional help you bring. No one is going to offer any reassurances because there are none to be had. Employers use temps to get extreme flexibility in staffing levels. On your end, you have the same flexibility and can find another job at any time, or wait to start a new job until after your expected departure date. But of course there is risk involved that the employer will not feel the same obligation to keep you on until the end.

If the stress of this type of arrangement is too much for you, temp jobs might not be a good idea for you long term. Of course, even in so-called permanent positions, the arrangement is at-will and employers can get rid of you at any time. But if might feel a little more secure day-to-day and that might be helpful for you.

[goalphish2002]

Keep working hard but look for another job.  You shouldn't bank on these people.  You might find something better or at least have an offer in hand to negotiate. 

[snogirl]

Keep working hard but look for another job.  You shouldn't bank on these people.  You might find something better or at least have an offer in hand to negotiate.

Great advice.  Take it one day at a time and do the footwork. Good luck to you.

[slowsynapse]

Lots of really good advice in all of the above posts.  If the contract employer doesn't know two weeks prior to the end if they want the roll to continue, I think it is fair to plan on the idea that they don't want the job to continue.  You don't really say in the post, but were you replacing someone on some sort of leave, like FMLA?  Depending on the organization, they may not have room if someone else is returning.  Looking for a new job now wouldn't stop you from accepting a last minute offer from your current contract.