Should fixed-term employees have access to occupational pension schemes?
The Regulations require employers to offer access to occupational pension schemes to fixed-term employees on the same basis as permanent ones, unless different treatment is objectively justified. They will not require employers to offer special alternative benefits, such as contributions to a private pension scheme, to fixed-term employees who choose not to join a pension scheme, unless this option is offered to comparable permanent employees. It will not always be necessary under the Regulations to offer all fixed-term employees access to occupational pension schemes, but whether it is necessary has to be decided on a case-by-case basis. There may be occasions where an employer can justifiably treat a fixed-term employee less favourably than a similar permanent employee. For example, where an employee is on a fixed-term contract that is shorter than the vesting period for a pension scheme, the employer may be able to justify excluding them from that scheme if including them has a disp
