In principle it is not a breach of the Fixed-Term Working Directive for an employer to employ a member of staff on a number of fixed-term contracts to provide temporary cover for absent staff (eg due to maternity leave). National Courts are free to conclude that it is an objectively justified action, even if the effect is that the same person ends up being employed on an uninterrupted series of contracts for a number of years.
Case Summary Tag:
contract [1]