Misled by a Job Offer: How Should I Handle This Unexpected Contract Situation?

I was working for an organization in Sri Lanka. Recently, I went to an interview with a multinational company based in the USA, but the Sri Lankan operations are managed from India. In the interview, they didn't mention anything regarding a contract job; they mentioned that I could pursue a great career, which I'm looking for. Their advertisement didn't say anything about it either. So, it seemed like a normal, permanent post (actually, that's why I applied).

Two to three days later, an HR personnel asked me to come for a test to check my IT skills. Suddenly, on a Saturday, the same HR personnel asked me to come for an induction on 31st March 2014. I went, thinking at least on that day I would get the offer letter. However, the HR personnel said that after the induction, the offer letter is being processed in India, and it takes time. They asked me to start work from 1st April 2014. I was surprised by the approach of a well-known MNC.

As I needed at least one week to resign from my previous place, I said it would be a dream only. Anyway, she was flexible with that. Days passed, and I didn't get the offer letter. But the management from the new company called and insisted that I should join by the 8th. So, after having a detailed discussion on salary, work times, etc., with their Head of Sri Lankan operations, I resigned from my previous place. I didn't ask about any contract job as I was sure it was a permanent one; he also didn't mention it and said it's a job with normal company terms, so there was no harm in accepting that. Finally, I went to their workplace from the 8th and met the management (top to bottom). Finally, the HR lady said, "At last, I received your appointment letter, and I will scan and mail it to you."

The real drama was there! Please help.

"We are pleased to offer you a fixed-term contract with............. Ltd., for a period of one year on the terms and conditions as per attached and as follows."

"This contract will cease to be effective from 8th April 2015."

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? Please help me ASAP; I have seven years of experience (never been on a contract-type job). I feel they took me for a ride, though I trusted them. My email id: [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

You made a mistake by resigning from your current company without an offer letter. If the company has not provided you with anything in writing, how can you resign? Now, you have no proof that they discussed a permanent role with you. Anyways, my suggestion is that you take up this contractual assignment and then, after completing 6 months, start evaluating more options or discuss with the company to explore the possibility of becoming a permanent employee.

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,
Vineet

Vineet has given you the most realistic suggestion in the given circumstances. Even if the offer was delayed (for whatever reason(s)), the least you should have insisted on was to have the content of the offer read or mailed to you. You made the mistake of presuming things. Anyway, I guess it would be an experience for you to be more clear and careful in the future.

Since you say it's an MNC, even one year of experience there would carry weight later in your career. Just join and begin to look for better and clearer openings after 9-10 months. By the time you complete the one year, you would have something in hand to change. Also, there's always the possibility that you can bargain with this MNC to be made permanent—many companies do once they realize you got a better job or offer.

All the best.

Regards,
TS

Do you still have the option to rejoin your ex-employer? Is there any monetary value attached to this contract? You cannot do anything else but join them and look for a job at your earliest. If the contract job is a stigma, the best you can do is to change as early as possible. You have been scammed into it. The only proof you have is the date on which the letter was issued. That's your only way to establish your innocence.

Wish you all the best!

Excellent suggestions have been given by (Cite Contribution) and Sateesh. There is no point in crying over spilled milk. I have the following take on the whole thing.

Continuous Learning in Any Job

Firstly, whether it's a contract or a regular job, our learning never stops. Take advantage of the MNC culture and learn as much as possible. A person is hired because of their competence, and no candidate's candidacy is turned down because they were a contract employee in the past. Develop competence for your future job should they refuse to extend your contract tenure.

Delivering High-Quality Work

Secondly, make sure that you deliver work output of the highest quality. Force your employer to retain you. Getting quality manpower is not an easy task, and every employer knows this. Rather than you asking for an extension, let the offer of an extension come from their side. To achieve this, you have to gain the trust of the employer. This can be done through hard work as well as smart work. Therefore, all the best!

Regards,
Dinesh Divekar

Dear Sithara, Already, Mr. Satish, Mr. Dinesh, and Ms. (Cite Contribution) have provided you with sufficient guidance. I would like to add one more point regarding contract employment.

Understanding Contract Employment

This category is created solely to facilitate operations smoothly. Every company has its own manning levels. Sometimes, due to a significant increase in workload, the company may need to hire additional staff. The HR policy may not allow the engagement of permanent manpower initially. Therefore, they opt to engage individuals on a Fixed-Term Contract basis for one year. Upon completion of the tenure, the contract period will be automatically extended. When a vacancy arises, you will be called for an interview and may be offered a permanent position.

Therefore, there is no need to worry about the Fixed-Term Contract.

Wishing you all the best and success in your new assignment. Regards

Thank you all for your thoughts. I have explained my situation and am in a position to rejoin my previous position from next week. This experience has been a valuable lesson for me in not trusting verbal promises. I cannot work with the new place as they have broken my trust. If they had informed me initially about this fixed contract, it would have been acceptable. However, they concealed this information, and as a result, my trust has been shattered.

Trust is like glass, once broken... it will never be the same again.

Thank you all for your support. I am relieved to be free from this deceitful Indian management.

Best regards

Now, come on SitharaJ. In the process of correcting one mistake and learning from it, you are making another one. Not sure, but you seem to be taking Dennis the Menace seriously: "Never make the same mistake twice. Look for new ones" 

"Cunning management" is fine, but "cunning Indian management" only belies your way of looking at situations. Please note that 'cunning' people are present worldwide. No single country or ethnicity can have a patent on this aspect of human nature—just as there will be both 'good' and 'bad' people everywhere.

I suggest not swinging like a pendulum—going from one extreme to another in your mental outlook. Such an outlook in life will only hit you in the long run, not anyone else, for the simple reason that this way of viewing (or rather painting the whole lot with the same brush) will automatically get extended to other aspects/parts of one's life (even without one noticing) until it's too late to make amends or corrections.

All the Best.

Regards,
TS

Nothing makes me happier than a resolved situation! Thank you, SitharaJ, for making our day! May your career be illustrated with great achievements, and may your work be respected industry-wide. Thank you once again for sharing the result. Our wishes are with you!

Don't lose your confidence and start work with full confidence because you have a good chance to work in an MNC company. If you spend time with an MNC for at least one year, you will get a golden opportunity afterward in another company.

Never leave any company before the new company gives you an offer letter or any employment document.

If you still feel bad, try reaching out to your previous organization and your ex-boss. Maybe he/she will understand your problem and give you a second chance to work with them. All the best.

Regards