Where an employer wishes to renew a fixed-term contract, he/she must inform the employee in writing as soon as possible not later than the date of renewal, of the objective grounds justifying the renewal of the fixed-term contract ‘and the failure to offer a contract of indefinite duration’ (i.e. permanent contract).

For example, a staff nurse/midwife is recruited on a 1 year fixed-term contract to replace a permanent staff nurse/midwife who is taking special leave.  However, towards the end of that year, the permanent staff nurse/midwife extends her special leave for a further year and the replacement nurse/midwife is offered a further fixed-term contract of 1 year to cover the extended absence. In such a case, the employer would have objective grounds justifying the renewal of the fixed-term contract for a further year.

The employer must specify in writing the ‘objective condition’ which will bring the contract to an end, which is, in the case of the above example, the return of the permanent staff nurse/midwife from special leave.