The legislation forces employers to review their practice of keeping employees on fixed-term contracts over a number of years.

Where your fixed-term contract commenced after the 14th July 2003 and your contract is renewed on a fixed term basis on one or more occasions, the total duration of your combined fixed-term contracts cannot exceed four years, except where there are objective grounds justifying such renewal.

Any attempt by your employer to get around this provision will have no effect and will mean that your contract will be deemed to be one of indefinite duration, ie. a permanent contract.