Received a job offer - are these red flags?
Permanent IT job paying 65k, fully remote work from home.
- Probation period - 3 months but can be extended by 9 months at their "discretion". So this means I could be in probation for up to 1 year.
- Notice period - they can give you just 1 week notice to leave for the first 2 years, even if you pass the 3 months probation. However, after passing probation they expect you to give them 4 weeks notice to leave. The longer you stay, the more notice you have to give them but they still offer the minimum. Eg at 3 years service, their notice for me to leave becomes just 2 weeks.
- Annual Leave - 24 days, but they dictate 14 days. So you only have 10 in your control.
- Variation clause - Clause in contract which states any terms of the contract can be altered with one month notice, including place of work. So my remote working is not actually guaranteed.
- Sick pay - No sick pay during probation. Worst case if im left in probation for 1 year, that means no sick pay during that entire time.
- Lay off clause - Strange Lay off clause stating if there is a reduction in work, they can lay you off without pay.
I asked them if they could do a mutual 1 month notice period after completion of 3 month probation for stability and certainty. They declined.
I asked if probation could be limited to 6 months, so 3 months followed by further extension of 3 months. They declined.
I asked if they could remove the Lay off clause as this is a permanent salaried position. They declined.
They've essentially said the contract is the same for everyone.
What are people thoughts?
Tldr - Concerned about contract terms. Up to 1 year probation, 1 week notice during first 2 years, no sick pay during probation, 14 days holiday controlled by the company, remote working not guaranteed.
EDITED TO ADD: I am currently unemployed and reliant on government support. I was signed off work sick from my previous job last year due to workplace stress and have been out of work for over a year. So I am really nervous about returning to work and stability is really important to me. This contract is already stressing me out.