In November 2023, a collaborative Task & Finish group was formed, bringing together colleagues from the People Directorate and representatives from the campus Trade Unions—UMUCU, Unite, and Unison. This joint effort focused on listening to representations on the topic of workforce casualisation, with a shared commitment to improving employment practices for both academic and professional services staff.
The group created a constructive space for dialogue and through open and purposeful discussions, all parties worked together toward a common goal specifically to consider how to reduce dependence on casualised employment wherever practicable.
What is the change?
This partnership has led to a number of positive outcomes and meaningful progress. Notably, the University and the three Trade Unions reached a key agreement regarding the duration of Fixed Term Contracts. From 1 July 2025 colleagues on Fixed Term Contracts will now be transitioned to either a Finite Funded Permanent Contract (FFPC) or a Permanent Contract (dependent on the employment circumstances) after three years of continuous service, a significant improvement from the previous four-year threshold.
How does this affect me if I am on a Fixed Term Contract?
Effective from Tuesday, 1 July 2025, colleagues who have completed three years of continuous service on a Fixed Term Contract, where the work remains ongoing, will be transitioned to a Finite Funded Permanent Contract (FFPC).
For colleagues approaching three years continuous service, an objective review will be conducted by the relevant Line Manager as part of the consultation process. If the work remains ongoing and is linked to finite funding, the contract will transition to a FFPC. However, if the work is not tied to a specific future end date/funding link and remains ongoing this may be converted to a Permanent Contract, subject to the objective review.
This agreement reflects the strength of collaborative working and our collective commitment to improving our working environment for all colleagues – approximately 300 colleagues will benefit from this change from 1 July 2025.
To implement this positive change, the University’s Policy and Procedure on Contracts of Employment has been updated. Colleagues currently on a fixed term contract who are affected by this change from 1 July 2025 will receive direct communication from the People Directorate confirming their updated contractual status.
On behalf of UMUCU, UNITE, UNISON and the Directorate of People
UMUCU further comments:
UCU members are very welcome to contact the branch with any questions about this policy update. We will update our existing guidance on fixed-term contracts as soon as possible. This policy update is one of several recommendations made by the Task & Finish Group, which will issue its final report very soon.
UMUCU feels that Finite Funded Permanent Contracts (FFPCs) are best understood as fixed-term contracts with enhanced redundancy terms. However, these enhanced terms (including a 3-month period of additional employment known as the ‘extended notice period’ and an extended redeployment window) can enable redundancy to be avoided in many individual cases. Please contact us if you feel that the consultation and other processes described in the Contracts of Employment Policy are not being followed in your case.
Please also note that continuity of service has to be established on a case-by-case basis, and some gaps between contracts do not necessarily break continuity of employment – please get in touch if you have any questions in this regard.
The use of fixed-term contracts and FFPCs is monitored by the Contracts Working Group (CWG), including all campus trade unions. CWG should be informed of the number of staff employed on FFPCs on a regular basis, and the branch committee will make this information available to all UMUCU members as soon as is practically possible.