giving notice part through a contract

[luke warm]

I've found a more attractive gig and am sick of the current place.
My contract runs for another 4 months and I'm on a 1 month notice period.

Is it bad form to drop out of a contract?
Do clients black ball people or is it all in a days business?
I doubt I'll want to come back here but don't really like burning bridges...

[NotAllThere]

Originally Posted by luke warm

I've found a more attractive gig and am sick of the current place.
My contract runs for another 4 months and I'm on a 1 month notice period.

Is it bad form to drop out of a contract?
Do clients black ball people or is it all in a days business?
I doubt I'll want to come back here but don't really like burning bridges...

To both questions: maybe. It depends on whether you're dropping the client in it or whether they'd be happy for you to leave early.

[BA to the Stars]

1) Yes
2) Possibly

Also if you are through an agency, they may think twice about using you again.

[Badger]

Couldn't you get a substitute to complete the remaining 4 mths, i.e. sub-contract it out and take a cut of the daily rate??

[BrilloPad]

Originally Posted by luke warm

I've found a more attractive gig and am sick of the current place.
My contract runs for another 4 months and I'm on a 1 month notice period.

Is it bad form to drop out of a contract?
Do clients black ball people or is it all in a days business?
I doubt I'll want to come back here but don't really like burning bridges...

I have dropped out before and been invited back - once I was told "what took you so long to leave - are you a glutton for punishment". It all depends on the Client's perspective.

[TazMaN]

There is no such thing as black balling in this industry. If a client needs you they will pay for you. If the agency can place you, they will place you so that they get their cut. It's business.

You might p*ss off a few oddballs here and there, but look after yourself first. Be professional, speak to the client and arrange a mutually satisfactory leaving date and handover process. And don't forget the leaving drinks otherwise you'll be labelled a tight coont forever.

[kali]

I had to drop out of previous contract early for personal reasons (not for a better gig) but I made sure I sat down with my contact on site and explained what was happening. He was fine about it, told me I would always be welcome back in future if they had the work, and indeed some time later I actually had a call from them asking me if I was able to come back.

So as long as you manage the situation well and keep people well informed it should be ok.

[Sausage Surprise]

Just be straight with the client and agency and don't "go sick" or just disappear.

[NickNick]

Originally Posted by BA to the Stars

Also if you are through an agency, they may think twice about using you again.

Only for the next day or two, then they will ahve forgotten all about it.

[al_cam]

It's a small world so if you p1ss people off then it will come back to bite you later - hiring managers may see you worked for company X and call a friend at company X to find out about you.

What do you do? I'm a PM and if I don't complete the project then that looks bad so will always stick it out, but if you are one of many on a helpdesk or somesuch then it probably isn't an issue.

Finally, you'll probably find that the new place is just as carp after a while so unless the money, commute or experience is vastly better then I would stick it out and retain your integrity.