Documentation contract terminated as they now want a developer! Advice please.

[up4it]

Advice required. ...

I started a contract 3 weeks ago for a large corporate company.
I've worked for this company for several years in the past but at a different site though some of the projects were related. ie Content Management.

At the interview I was told that the job is to provide project documentation and said it is definitely NOT a development role. They said if you want to do development this job is not for you. I said thats fine with me and a couple of days later I was offered a 6 month contract. I had worked with the 2 guys that interviewed me in the past! But ended up working for someone else.

I was also told that they had turned down one person because he insisted on doing some development work!

I turned down a section leader permanent role to take this contract.

But today I was given 4 weeks notice because they said want someone with a development background in Content Management. I was both amazed and disgusted! They knew me and knew my skills and had contacted all my previous managers in the company before interview. Also, everyone had said the documents I have produced are fine!

I am disappointed to say the least, especially as I have done some great work for this client in the past!

What should I do?

PS : I have an analyst/programmer background but have not developed Content Management systems.

[ferret]

Contract

I guess it all comes down to the contract you signed with them for the six months work. Did this stipulate a termination period? If no notice period stated in contract then not sure that there is much you could do about this.

Also if this company has supplied you a lot of work in the past do you want to do anything to jeopardise future contracts by moaning to them?

[partimer]

act like a business

You're joking right ???
As they are the paying customer they can do what they want. At least you're getting paid for 4 weeks and not being marched out of the door today.

Are you suggesting that customers aren't allowed to change their minds ?
Sure they said one thing and did another but hey that's business !

Are you expecting compensation of some sort ?
How do you know that they just plain didn't like you and decided to ditch you for that reason ?

If I was you, I would try and sell it to them that you can do the development work and since you're already there, switching over to development work would be a smooth transition rather than somebody new with no working knowledge of what has gone on before.

[insight14]

Its understandable that you feel let down, but you've got to view contracting as a business arrangement; something that can be terminated by either side when it no longer suits their (or your) purposes. Its why our rates are twice that of a permie. If you wanted job security you should have taken the permie role.

Most of us have been screwed over by a client or an agency at some point in the past. And likewise most of us have made it hard for an agency or a client when things aren't to our liking.

That said, if you have contacts within the client's business, there might be some mileage in telling your tale of woe to all and sundry in the hope someone might feel guilty about it and give you another contract. Or you might just be labelled a whingeing moan-bag and (as ferret points out) never get a look-in for future contracts.

[Not So Wise]

Advice required. ...

Start looking for new contract/job

And thats about it really

[up4it]

Thanks for your responses!

Thanks for your responses.

I have come to accept it as one of those (frustrating) things! Don't really like working in London anyway!

I have have been busy chasing up another job that I passed over and it is looking promising!

You know when I get kicked I get up again and am even stronger!!!

Also, I am fortunate in having a brilliant wife who backs me 100% and vice-versa!

Thanks Again!

[up4it]

Maybe things will turn out well because I have been approached by a previous manager and will be offered work in the same company in the near future but at a different site! The work is also much more interesting!

I've been wondering if my contract was terminated because the other department appoached the manager and said they wanted to hire me as the work is very specialised??

Contracting is a funny old game! But at least it pays well!! ;-))