client asking me not to work, even though I have a signed contract

[northernladuk]

Same goes for fresh contractors who happily accept £350/day while the agent trousers the other £250 from the £600/day budget. Client then wonders why their £500/day superkid is pretty average.

Ahhh also known as newbie tax

[fonejacker]

Sounds like you're just a bum on seat. For only 4 days a month you should either leave or get a permie gig.

Work is work, but 4 days is not a lot.

We don't live in fantasy land - we just don't accept this. We find a new role and give our client notice

it was only 4 days for one month and Xmas/Change freezes all tied up in that, I wouldn't accept it long term, about to finish here but hard to not get messed around sometimes when no other work around.

[jmo21]

Actually my theory is the higher your rate the more you get messed around as the client can't afford you full time and questions your 'extortionate' fee

Nah, we're reassuringly expensive for a reason. They'd have us work more if they could

[willcodeforbread]

back on feet

Thanks for all the replies!

Lesson learnt: retainer agreement.

I managed to avoid a mess with a combination of the following:
- mortgage payment holiday
- personal loan agreed with bank (in case I need it - haven't yet)
- payment terms for personal tax
- a more personal savings plan

The latter part ties in with the phrase that gets bandied about so often, but so often gets ignored: have 6 months' salary saved up.

On the upside, the VAT for this quarter was neglible
(and new 6 month contract started with an org that pays within a couple of days)

[silverlight001]

The other point here though is that the client feels it's acceptable to treat people / contractors like commodities.

I know that's what the contract says but it's unnecessary and this type of things does need to be called out.

Who is the client?

I treat my clients with respect, take pride in the work that I do, often act as an "referee" / adjudicator in the company politics and aim to treat all of my team contractors and permies with consideration and humanity.

It's not much to ask...

[LondonManc]

The other point here though is that the client feels it's acceptable to treat people / contractors like commodities.

I know that's what the contract says but it's unnecessary and this type of things does need to be called out.

Who is the client?

I treat my clients with respect, take pride in the work that I do, often act as an "referee" / adjudicator in the company politics and aim to treat all of my team contractors and permies with consideration and humanity.

It's not much to ask...

[PermMCCon]

The other point here though is that the client feels it's acceptable to treat people / contractors like commodities.

I know that's what the contract says but it's unnecessary and this type of things does need to be called out.

Who is the client?

I treat my clients with respect, take pride in the work that I do, often act as an "referee" / adjudicator in the company politics and aim to treat all of my team contractors and permies with consideration and humanity.

It's not much to ask...

Sorry but I would disagree - the client is not treating "people / contractors like commodities.". They are treating a Ltd company providing them a service in the way that best helps their supply-demand needs.

As has been said by a number of people here:
- If you want regularity, be a perm
- Do not expect perm benefits for a contractor role
- All contract roles nowadays involve enforced holidays etc

I personally think your client is being a bit harsh doing 4 weeks off here and there, but they are a profit making organization who have hired a Ltd company to provide your services to them. Some companies take a harder stance on this, your current client is one of them.

You will need to think if you have any leverage... if you don't, leave or think of taking a perm role with them

[eek]

Sorry but I would disagree - the client is not treating "people / contractors like commodities.". They are treating a Ltd company providing them a service in the way that best helps their supply-demand needs.

As has been said by a number of people here:
- If you want regularity, be a perm
- Do not expect perm benefits for a contractor role
- Some contract roles nowadays may involve enforced holidays etc

I personally think your client is being a bit harsh doing 4 weeks off here and there, but they are a profit making organization who have hired a Ltd company to provide your services to them. Some companies take a harder stance on this, your current client is one of them.

You will need to think if you have any leverage... if you don't, leave or think of taking a perm role with them

FTFY - never had an issue with clients insisting I have time off (although that may be because I regularly take time off anyway)....

[MrMarkyMark]

contract is just with consultancy to work 'anywhere'. it's not really worth anything. anyway....I didn't want to hijack the OP's thread as much but I just wanted to point out that in fantasy land everyone is getting juicy long term contracts without breaks and everyone wants to be a contractor (yay!) but in reality there are people out there are getting messed around (you see a lot of posts on CUK about it too) in 10+ years contracting there are bound to be some hiccups/things that don't go to plan. Actually my theory is the higher your rate the more you get messed around as the client can't afford you full time and questions your 'extortionate' fee

Errrrrm, never felt this.

I have been told by a number of clients I am worth what I charge, maybe I should charge more

[WTFH]

Errrrrm, never felt this.

I have been told by a number of clients I am worth what I charge, maybe I should charge more

I think what the last one actually said was "Contractors like MarkyMark are two a penny"