Hi All, I recently had a temporary job for six months at a major bank wchich got extended untilthe end of August.

30 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 1:05PM UTC

   Banks are having a hard time right now. This is purely financial cost cutting. Temporary workers are the first to be cut.

   Don't take it personally. You are with an agency. Make sure they have record of this bank’s positive feedback and look for your next agency or other opportunity.

2. AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 1:24PM UTC

   Things change, and sometimes agencies speak out of turn as well. Go to the next temp position and keep learning. At companies sometimes the manager isn't the decision maker either and once they speak to their leader they are extending a temp contract they are redirected on these decisions too. It's not you.

3. AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 1:25PM UTC

   That is the reason why some companies hire agencies. It is a contract job that ends at the discretion of the parties. Your are not a person but a service. The contract could have been up for renewal and your company demanded more money or the company that you were contracted to chose to end end due to budget cuts or internal hiring for your position. Some companies go in the direction of hiring others instead of the contractors because they may have to pay fees or the contractors rate is much higher then they can afford. Either way they have the right to end the contract without and explanation or advance notice to you. Your contracting company may have known for weeks but they were trying to work something out. My experience with contracting was that the company that I was contracted to paid the contracting company more for me and they asked me how I liked my raise ( which I had not received). The other was that my contracting company didn’t tell the company that I had put on a month notice so they could hire and train someone else before I left. Sorry for the notice but it is a part of the job. You need to set 4-6 months funds a side for in between assignments if you remain in contract roles. That is why they pay so well.

4. RiaMay 30,2023 at 3:12AM UTC

   Well said!

5. KarenMay 22,2023 at 1:33PM UTC

   Polish up your resume with the skills you learned on this assignment. It will help you when you get your next one. If your current temp organization is having a hard time placing you, then check out Robert Half. They have permanent and temp placement too. As for why they abruptly ended the assignment, don't take it personally. Focus on the kudos and keep going. You sound like a very dedicated and qualified professional. Through your diligence, you will find a company that will be glad to have you.

6. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterMay 22,2023 at 2:55PM UTC

   You're a rock star. This had nothing to do with your performance and everything to do with the company's financials or other behind-the-scenes goings on.

   Leverage what you learned and your achievements to land your next job, rock star!

7. AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 3:15PM UTC

   If you had a good working relationship with someone in management at the bank, you might ask them what happened. If you liked the job, you could also ask if the position would be available outside of a contracting company.

   There is a chance that the person who said they were extending spoke out of turn. They also might have recently hired an intern who is cheaper than what your contract was for. It is a bit weird for something to end mid-month like this, but maybe they had the project set to end in June originally and thought there was more work left than there was.

   Hopefully, you get some answers. Good luck! :)

8. AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 5:13PM UTC

   That, unfortunately, is how many temporary assignments end.
   If they have budget cuts, department cuts, etc.

   Ask the temp agency to place you somewhere that can benefit from your skillset and that you can benefit from learning more new skills.

9. AnonymousMay 22,2023 at 9:09PM UTC

   It's nothing against you at all. Trust me when I say that if the staffing company tells you that the business had all good things to say about you, then you will receive both a good standing and will be called for more positions as they arise.

   As someone who has done plenty of contracts and worked at contracting companies, I can say that there are a lot of factors that come into play such as the current budget for the position, not being able to afford an extension (staffing companies can demand a really high rate), etc.

   Even so, don't be surprised if they call you back again the future with this same company or supervisor as I have had that happen plenty of times.

   Just make sure to let the temporary agency know that you are available, you enjoyed the last job and that you are open to other positions as well.

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 22,2023 at 11:55PM UTC

    They just decided to end your contract. They could have just as easily ended your employment for almost any reason if you were a permanent employee.

11. AnonymousMay 23,2023 at 1:34AM UTC

    When you are a contract worker, they can just end the contract.

    It is usually out of your control and not related to your performance. The company may have decided to hire a FTE to do the work, or they decided that the company that holds your contract is too expensive, or that the project just went another way.

    I love contract work but don't beat yourself up over it. Chances are, it was them, and not you.

12. AnonymousMay 23,2023 at 8:02PM UTC

    Even if you're on a contract for a specified period, the company still has the right to terminate it at any time. And it's not necessarily down to performance. In December 2019 I got a contract gig which was to be for the entirety of 2020. That April, I was notified that my contract was being terminated at the end of the month because the COVID lockdown hit their bottom line hard, and they had to prioritize their projects and budget.

    The fact that they thought you did a great job should give you some comfort, so don't be too hard on yourself.

13. AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 12:29AM UTC

    To add to this - I'd reach out for a reference while you are fresh in their mind. If they let you go over email, you can also use the email that describes your work ethic and their sudden goodbye.

    As someone else mentioned - once someone there has to assume your duties..... Keep your phone close!!

14. Audrey KirschMay 23,2023 at 9:48PM UTC

    Budget cuts. They were told to cut back on spending and you were the easiest choice. It stinks but that's what happens. Once the full-time employees have to pick up your duties, get overwhelmed and leave, you may get called back for the full-time position you were hoping for.

15. AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 12:11PM UTC

    If this was a contract, it sounds like the budget got cut and it had nothing to do with your performance. If the budget was cut, there was no money to fund the work. Sometimes finance will do these things abruptly and there's nothing the project teams can do to intercede. I'm so sorry.

16. AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 12:32PM UTC

    I’m currently unemployed, and I’ve never done contract work. Now that I’m considering it because I don’t want a huge employment gap in my resume, the best advice I was given (other than how to figure out what pay is acceptable) was to keep looking for new opportunities constantly, even after you’ve accepted a contract role, and this is the reason why.

17. AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 12:35PM UTC

    It could simply be a budget issue,

18. Wendy CarranzaMay 24,2023 at 12:51PM UTC

    I agree with this. I had a temp job that abruptly ended when the organization decided to get rid of all temps around the country to save money. It's likely nothing personal at all.

19. AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 1:05AM UTC

    Still a pretty nasty way to treat people. If you and the other temps had been permanent, you would at least have been given some notice, possibly a severance package, maybe even outsourcing help.

20. AnonymousMay 30,2023 at 3:10AM UTC

    How is it nasty? All parties are aware of the situation going in. The temp is aware he or she is placed on an assignment that may end at any time before the estimated end date. The company agrees to bringing on the temp because they don't have the budget to fill the role permanently and and the agreement is made more attractive by the flexibility in being able to terminate services at any time.

21. AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 1:11PM UTC

    It's not personal. Abrupt ends to assignments are quite common when you are working through an agency. That's the advantage for the company. They are working with a Vendor instead of an employee.

22. AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 1:04AM UTC

    Yes, you're just a disposable commodity as far as they're concerned.

23. AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 2:17PM UTC

    Many businesses are entering crises mode especially banks. Nothing to do with you. It’s the economy. Overall the economy is strong but some are feeling a pinch especially banks due to recent bank failures and runs on banks. Try applying for a permanent position.

24. Julie EMay 24,2023 at 4:01PM UTC

    Temps are the first to go when a company needs to do budget cuts. HR or the manager just makes a phone call instead of having to put together a severance package. Sadly you’re looked at as disposable workers. The same thing happened to me several years ago which is why I avoid temp work. Since this is a big bank, the decision was probably made higher up than the people you were working with. Don’t take it personal. Just try to find a permanent position next time. Apply directly to banks.

25. AnonymousMay 24,2023 at 5:22PM UTC

    It's just part of the temp experience. As long as you received positive feedback, your agency will find you another gig. So sorry this happened to you, but I bet you'll be just fine in the end.

26. AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 1:02AM UTC

    Welcome to the not-so-wonderful world of temping . . . so glad I got out of that sh*tshow. Yes, the dreaded phone call from the agency, usually at 6 p.m. on a Friday right before a holiday weekend. Unfortunately this happens more often than not. Thanks to 'at-will employment', no one has to give you a reason or notice that they're letting you go. Especially not the client company. Your (suddenly ex) boss lets your agency do their dirty work.

    I am so sorry this happened to you. I wish you all the best in finding permanent employment, where you will be treated with at least a little bit more respect.

27. AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 1:10AM UTC

    While it's a great idea to stay in touch with your former colleagues, you may not be able to get hired at that bank. Check the ream of paperwork you had to sign before starting the temp job. There could be some document you had to sign stating that you will not accept employment at the client company for at least a year after your contract ends. So you probably won't be able to get back there for quite a while.

28. AnonymousMay 25,2023 at 11:14PM UTC

    You could call to ask them why. I believe in transparency because it keeps no secrets. Let them know the hardship it caused with no notice. Then apply for unemployment if your state has it.

29. AnonymousMay 30,2023 at 3:06AM UTC

    That would be highly unprofessional. Please do not heed this advice. The poster's employer is the temp agency. The company is the temp agency's client. She would be way out of line to inquire why they ended the assignment sooner than she expected. If she has any questions they should be directed to her employer the temp agency. There are a number of legitimate reasons why a company terminates a temp assignment early which have nothing to do with the competence and quality of the temp.

30. AnonymousMay 30,2023 at 3:02AM UTC

    That's the nature of temp work....here today gone tomorrow. The end date for an assignment is just an estimate and not a fixed date. The contract between the agency and the company states that the assignment can end at any time. Register with several other agencies and hopefully you find a permanent job because you sound like a kick azz admin.