Ending the contract must be fair
Fixed-term contracts don’t typically need a notice period, because they usually end automatically on the agreed end date.
Employees have additional rights if they have:
- 1 year (or more) service – you must provide a written statement of reasons for not renewing the contract
- 2 or more years’ service – you must show there's a fair reason for not renewing the contract (e.g. a permanent staff member returning to a covered post). These employees may also have redundancy rights (explained below)
- 4 consecutive years' service – you must offer staff a permanent position unless a fixed-term contract remains justifiable. You should notify staff of any permanent vacancies, to ensure equal career progression
Read more in the government's guidance on fixed-term contracts.
Ending a fixed-term contract is classed as dismissal
If you decide not to renew