Advice for term appointment situation
Hi there! I am working at a university with a term appointment ending 6/30/20. I have asked repeatedly over the past 3 months whether I will be renewed, with minimal updates -- the biggest solid update I received was 6 weeks ago when my supervisor mentioned she submitted a letter for approval by HR to have me renewed (HR has been radio silent every time I've reached out) -- and a lot of discouragement for even asking. Last week when I asked for an update, my supervisor literally told me "not to worry my pretty little head" (and to add insult to injury, my supervisor is a woman!)
My concern now is that they won't get their act together by 6/30/20, at which time I'll wish them all well and ask when I can return my company-issued computer, and they'll ask me to stay on longer so they can process it in a panic. This makes me very hesitant to accept because of their track record of not providing solid updates, and I'm concerned that if I agree, by the time I'm due to receive my next paycheck, they won't have gotten their act together and I'll be out money and time I could have spent looking for another job.
Is it within my right or reasonable to say that I will not work until I have in writing that I'm reinstated? Are there any laws specifically related to this? I'd love to hear an HR perspective on this matter, as I want to get prepared on how to approach the situation if it comes up...because unfortunately, I think it could be likely. Thank you so much for your time and attention!
Anonymous
06/25/20 at 3:32PM UTC
Thanks all for your advice! I did wind up getting renewed, but I'm continuing to look for other roles.
Joanna Giordano
HBO HR experience. Resume/Job & Health coach.
358
06/25/20 at 2:11PM UTC
I hope this has worked out by now. If people do not want excessive follow up, they need to set a specific deadline or timeframe. Otherwise it is BS to chide you for following up on something that affects YOU. When I worked on contract roles, I would start following up at 60 days out. Even on 90 day contract. The length of the current contract doesn't make landing the next one quicker, so you have to be looking! And who knows, maybe you find a better role and graciously decline the renewal as I did once.
Anonymous
06/25/20 at 3:30PM UTC
Exactly -- I used to be a freelancer and this was very normal conversation to ask about renewals around the end of the contract. It's been very disheartening to see this reaction.
Mindy ClaggettMarketing | Communications | Program Management
238
06/08/20 at 1:25PM UTC
I can't speak from an HR perspective, but I do work at a higher ed consortium. We're seeing a lot of budget cuts, layoffs, and furloughs at most of our member schools, which probably doesn't bode well for your school, either. Several of our member schools haven't figured out their way forward for fall yet, which adds more confusion to typical summer planning.
IMO, they likely are not going to renew your contract. Since most schools start their new fiscal year on July 1, they already know if your contract is (or isn't) included in next year's budget.
If I were you, I would absolutely be looking for a new position at a different school. You deserve better treatment than this stringing-you-along thing they are doing, and your supervisor's condescending response made my stomach churn. Not sure if you're an educator or not, but I'm hearing many schools are looking for more adjunct faculty because they need to fill gaps where they can't afford fulltime instructors.
Additionally, I would NOT do any extra work beyond your contract end unless you get something in writing that states you will be compensated for that work. Their failure to plan should not become your emergency, and you shouldn't let them try to squeeze a couple extra weeks of free work out of you. Hope you're able to find something else quickly!
Anonymous
06/08/20 at 3:20PM UTC (Edited)
Thank you so much for your advice and perspective, Mindy! My feeling is that despite the fact that they said it was included in the budget a few months ago that you are right, I'll be out on 7/1. Onwards and upwards!
