Hello David et al.:

    This is an interesting, but not difficult, question.  Reason wins
out.
    No matter how the job is advertised ("permanent" or "full-time"),
the legalities ought to hinge on the the written (and verbal) contract
to which all parties agree at the time of hire.  I doubt any museum is
so reckless as to place before a newly hired employee a contract that
promises them a job "forever and ever, Amen."  Written contracts provide
the museum an "out" in case the employee does not perform his/her duties
up to the required standard OR performs duties specifically forbidden in
the workplace.  As well, I would hope, written contract specify an
evaluation procedure, whereby the employee learns on a regular basis
(semi-annually or annually) how their performance measures up to their
employers standards.  So, if/when employment is terminated, there ought
not be any unanswered questions about who did or did not do what.
    Just my two cents.

Yours truly,
Jay Heuman, Visitor & Volunteer Services Coordinator
Joslyn Art Museum http://www.joslyn.org
2200 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68102
402-342-3300     402-342-2376 (fax)

Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of David Clough
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 7:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: museum job terminology: full-time v permanent
  Is there any such thing as a permanent job in museums?
  David Clough
  Editor www.museumjobs.com