Fixed-term Employment Contracts

What counts as a fixed-term contract  

Employees are on a fixed-term contract if both of the following apply: 

  • they have an employment contract with the organisation they work for 

  • their contract ends on a particular date, or on completion of a specific task, eg a project 

Workers do not count as fixed-term employees if they: 

  • have a contract with an agency rather than the company they’re working for 

  • are a student or trainee on a work-experience placement 

  • are working under a contract of apprenticeship 

  • are a member of the armed forces 

They may be a fixed-term employee if they are: 

  • a seasonal or casual employee taken on for up to 6 months during a peak period 

  • a specialist employee for a project 

  • covering for maternity leave 

See also: 

For further information on Fixed-term Employment Contracts, see GOV.UK's website.