Expert: Bonnie Shimmin - 1/15/2011

Question
I am hoping you can advise me on career strategy.

I have been hired on as a seasonal employee at a tutoring establishment.  The hours and schedule vary from week to week (15-30 hours a week, and from 3-10 hours a day) based on student enrollment.  The contract I signed prevents me from tutoring on the side, and the company discourages outside employment.

I would like to be hired on as a full-time, regular employee.  The employee manual states that seasonal employees may have an opportunity to be hired on at the end of the season. However, the end of the "season" isn't until September... 8 months away!  That means if I am hired on my benefits wouldn't begin until January of next year!  Until then, I am working for less with no benefits as a seasonal employee.

My husband says I am getting a raw deal and would like me to be more assertive.  I agree, but the idea of asserting myself makes me nervous.  I don't know how to go about doing it!

I have had "temporary" jobs before and have always been offered regular full-time employement at the end of my appointment because I am a great employee.  The problem is, I think 8 months is a long time for a temporary position with such extreme restrictions!

Can you please give me your point-of-view?  How would you handle yourself if you were in my position?  

Thank you so much!

Answer
Dear Abby,

The manner in which you've crafted your letter tells me that you are intelligent and logical.  I can see why you would have been hired as a regular full-time employee at the end of other temporary positions.  

Sometimes in education, being "assertive" doesn't help much.  Especially in public education, there's not much flexibility in terms of employment.  But since you are working for a private firm, I see nothing wrong with presenting your dilemma to your supervisor.  You could credibly tell him or her that you need benefits and a shorter hiring cycle and would like to see if there is any way the company can advance the hiring process more quickly.  You might say or imply that you will need to look for more permanent work if something can't be done, even though you like working for them and always try to do your best for their clients.  I don't know what the employment situation is like where you live, but around here it can be dicey, so you may want to leave the gentle threat out of it.  If you are calm and friendly, just seeking further information will probably not be held against you.  Also, I wouldn't think it would be helpful to say anything about a "raw deal" because your supervisor would then be put on the defensive.

Those are my ideas.  I'd be interested in hearing what you decided to do and what happened.

Good Luck,
Bonnie