Fixed-term Employment Contracts in the United Kingdom

Abstract

There are around 1.6 million 'temporary employees' in the United Kingdom. This article adresses their legal status and access to key employment protection rights, based on the premise that there is no governing principle that prohibits or regulates their use at the outset of employment. Further, such protection as does exist during and on termination of employment for those on certain specified types of fixed or limited-term contracts is limited, often ineffectual and open to abuse and evasion by employers.