Left permie position for contract but still not signed - mistake?

**northernladuk** · 16 March 2016, 01:47

Nope it's fairly normal... As is the contract just evaporating while they wait for your notice unfortunately. If you've got a warchest behind you in case this gig falls though you'll be OK. If you haven't they yes I'd worry.

BTW. Pedantic point. You've applied for a gig or piece of work. You job is being a contractor. Pedantic but if you get your head round this now it's will save you a lot of confusion later.

**cosmos** · 16 March 2016, 07:07

What is your official notice period at the perm job? If its 1month+ then the agent probably isn't going to rush to get the paperwork done given they have a fair length of time

**Yonmons** · 16 March 2016, 07:38

first rule of contracting a contract is never a contract until you have received it, read it, and then signed it. (even then I say you are never up and running until the first week is done, and the money is in the bank)
I would never give notice until I have signed a contract. If its a "go er" the agent should be chasing you ragged to get it signed, if its the other way round I would be wondering.

**BrilloPad** · 16 March 2016, 08:27

Originally posted by Yonmons View Post

first rule of contracting a contract is never a contract until you have received it, read it, and then signed it. (even then I say you are never up and running until the first week is done, and the money is in the bank)
I would never give notice until I have signed a contract. If its a "go er" the agent should be chasing you ragged to get it signed, if its the other way round I would be wondering.

This!

My first ever contract(1988) I had the same. Agent twisting my arm to sign contract(I was refusing until client signed). He got in his boss, a buxom lady, to talk to me. She flashed a lot of cleavage. But I still refused to sign.

**uk contractor** · 16 March 2016, 08:36

Originally posted by Yonmons View Post

first rule of contracting a contract is never a contract until you have received it, read it, and then signed it. (even then I say you are never up and running until the first week is done, and the money is in the bank)
I would never give notice until I have signed a contract. If its a "go er" the agent should be chasing you ragged to get it signed, if its the other way round I would be wondering.

This & close thread nothing else to say really!

**VillageContractor** · 16 March 2016, 08:45

Start applying for other jobs in case the agent is playing games. If you don't have a chest of money to support you then you need to move quick in either getting this contract, finding a new one or begging your employer to let you stay on

**heyya99** · 16 March 2016, 08:52

I'd swallow my pride and ask for my old perm job back. Use this experience to better prepare you for the unpredictable and unreliable world of contracting. You need to look after number 1 in this game. There is no one on your side but you.

**NigelJK** · 16 March 2016, 08:56

Well, when I jumped ship the 'contractor mentality' kicked in. Notice period, don't be daft you'll bring in more your first week contracting than the whole notice period. What they gonna do sack you?
You may find that in the future being 'immediately available' has it's advantages.

**sal** · 16 March 2016, 09:15

Originally posted by NigelJK View Post

Well, when I jumped ship the 'contractor mentality' kicked in. Notice period, don't be daft you'll bring in more your first week contracting than the whole notice period. What they gonna do sack you?
You may find that in the future being 'immediately available' has it's advantages.

That's a bit of an anti-advice. At worse they can sue you, at the very least it will leave you on bad terms with your former employer, so don't expect good references. As a fresh contractor you need every bit of help to get the ball rolling.

Breaking contracts willy nilly is everything but a contractor mentality.

Left permie position for contract but still not signed - mistake?