Kids, today’s lesson is an important one because it illustrates that not
even a signed, sealed and delivered contract guarantees job safety. Of
course, it’s likely that it’s not your fault, sadly it’s also likely that
it might not be the recruiter’s fault. Sometimes it is. Read on as we
discuss a work situation that could happen to you.

Here’s the score: a recruitment agency contacts a professional, such as
yourself, for a long-term assignment. Nice work, if you can get it! However, a
curious thing happens the first week on the job. Our hero couldn’t help but notice that the Contract End
date listed on the paperwork was set for the end of the year. Upon further
query, it appears that consultants are systematically dropped at the end of
the year and renewed according to need. As it turns out, you are not renewed and your contract is now drastically shorter than what was agreed upon.

Obviously disconcerting, this is not what you signed on for. As we approach
the end of the contact (according to the site client), the site client
becomes increasingly quiet and issuing terse “we don’t know” responses when
asked for clarification. What is particularly surprising in this situation
is the fact that the recruiter - the very people who brought you on board -
aren’t pushing this issue with their client.

There are two major issues at hand here:

• 
  You knew Client X’s consultant policy; why didn’t the recruiter?


• What will the recruiter do to pay you since your contract runs out in a
  few weeks?

Your recruiter may well cancel your contract and wash their hands of the
affair once Client X does not renew. Of course, doesn’t the fact that they
signed you for a year and asked for two years’ commitment indicate that
someone wasn’t listening to the client or established a contract in bad
faith?

Bunco sez: Beware as your recruiter is most likely going to drop you; in other words, terminate your contract. Consult an attorney right away. This may be a rare case where
you need to speak to Client X directly as your recruiter might not have
your best interests at heart. Set a firm date for a required response; your
personal life can ill afford to wait while this is sorted. If you do pursue
any legal options, you will obviously need to weigh what it will cost
versus a potential victory.