Being asked to do work outside of scope of original contract

[tommyrot]

Recently I've been asked to do work which in my view is outside the scope of my original contract -- ie, it doesn't come under the definition of the 'service' that I was asked to provide (though is vaguely related).

I have a limited competency is this new work, but am by no means expert, and indeed have never claimed to be.

Frankly, I don't want to do it.

Where do I stand contractually speaking? I feel that I would be within my rights to simply tell them I'm not going to do it. On the other hand, I don't want to jeopardise outstanding payments from the agency involved.

Advice, please.

[scooterscot]

1) If your through an agent I'd talk to them first off.

2) Had similar situation in the past, did the task moaning all the way. Once complete was not asked to do the task again... And yes I got an extension.

[Bluebird]

Doing work not in the contract is working like an "employee" and makes you inside IR35 - speak to your agent / client and if no joy - walk away...

[Sockpuppet]

Doing work not in the contract is working like an "employee" and makes you inside IR35 - speak to your agent / client and if no joy - walk away...

Depends. Many many real businesses do work outside the contract, you know that old chesnut of helping people out and providing a good service.

For example I have done work that I was never meant to do but it keeps the client happy. My Director informed me that he wanted me "the employee" to do this as the Ltd wanted to keep up good relations etc etc etc.

[tommyrot]

I have talked to the agency, of course, but they're not interested -- they're only interested in the cash they're extracting out of the situation.

Even if I resign, there's a month's notice to have to work out. (But on the other hand, I would apparently spend that month doing work I'm not contracted to do -- a right old conundrum!)

[tommyrot]

The "service" I was contracted to provide is, in the contract, "CBT [Computer-based Training] Expertise". CBT is otherwise known as e-Learning these days.

What I'm now being asked to do is write student workbooks for instructor-delivered classroom training.

[cykophysh39]

As a contractor your motto should be
"Ours is not to reason why, but to invoice high!"

[Bluebird]

The "service" I was contracted to provide is, in the contract, "CBT [Computer-based Training] Expertise". CBT is otherwise known as e-Learning these days.

What I'm now being asked to do is write student workbooks for instructor-delivered classroom training.

It sounds like the same sort of thing - ask the agency that you have considered the request but think in order to undertake said task the rate your company is paid should be re-evaluated and uppped by 20% - that should focus their minds...

PS who is the agency ?

[tommyrot]

It sounds like the same sort of thing - ask the agency that you have considered the request but think in order to undertake said task the rate your company is paid should be re-evaluated and uppped by 20% - that should focus their minds...

PS who is the agency ?

4exforces aka Osprey

[tommyrot]

It sounds like the same sort of thing ...

*Sounds like*, maybe -- but in practice, they require very different skillsets.