What are my rights as a contractor?

[ukmercenary]

Hello All

I am very new to contracting just need some advice.
I am coming to the end of a 3 month contract which is due to end today..I am going through HAYS IT and using GIANT Strongbox as an umbrella company.

Neither the agency nor my current employer seem to be able to give me a straight awnser if the my contract will be re-newed.

By law are they supposed to give me some kind of notice?
I have been offered another contract starting it 2 weeks via a differant company but its not the point.

Where do i stand ?

Thanks in Advance
Paul

[ASB]

Hello All

I am very new to contracting just need some advice.
I am coming to the end of a 3 month contract which is due to end today..I am going through HAYS IT and using GIANT Strongbox as an umbrella company.

Neither the agency nor my current employer seem to be able to give me a straight awnser if the my contract will be re-newed.

By law are they supposed to give me some kind of notice?
I have been offered another contract starting it 2 weeks via a differant company but its not the point.

Where do i stand ?

Thanks in Advance
Paul

[Ducks] Your rights are as conferred by the contract. What does it say?

Ok, it's probably polite to let you know, but that is simply a matter between you and hays and the contract you have agreed. Chances of it requiring them formally to inform you of the end date with any notice are slim indeed.

[The Wikir Man]

If your contract has come to an end, then that is the end of the contract. There is no need for any party to convey this to you (or for you to convey this to the umbrella, agency or client).

[TheBigYinJames]

By law are they supposed to give me some kind of notice?

Only of premature termination, not at the natural end of the contract.

As usual, communication is all, tell them you have another offer and if they want to keep you they'll have to come up with the paperwork pronto, or else you'll have to take the perfectly defensive position that you will be out of pocket and have to take up another contract.

[BolshieBastard]

If your contract has come to an end, then that is the end of the contract. There is no need for any party to convey this to you (or for you to convey this to the umbrella, agency or client).

Depends whether there is a conditon of MOO or not in the contract. Most contracts do have this nowadays but perhaps the OP is a newbie (why else would they be asking) so doesnt have this specifically in the contract.

You are right, client and agent dont have to tell you but its generally accepted either the client or agent will tell you whether you're being extended or not.

I always start asking about 4 -6 weeks before the contract ends and if no response by 4 weeks, start looking! I'd suggest the OP starts looking for a new role if everyone's keeping shtum.

[Sausage Surprise]

Worked with a guy whose contract finished on the Friday but he came back in on the Monday. Worked until Wednesday before the client realised at which point he was escorted off site

He got paid for the 3 days too

[TheBigYinJames]

Worked with a guy whose contract finished on the Friday but he came back in on the Monday. Worked until Wednesday before the client realised at which point he was escorted off site

He got paid for the 3 days too

My business insurance doesn't cover me out of contract, I make a point of telling ClientCo that when they're stalling.

[Jeebo72]

I always start asking about 4 -6 weeks before the contract ends and if no response by 4 weeks, start looking! I'd suggest the OP starts looking for a new role if everyone's keeping shtum.

I prefer to ask the day before it ends: "Who would you like me to hand over to..." etc ... when they panic, and say they forgot it was end of contract etc. Tell them about the other offer on the table at £50 a day more from your previous client who's deperate to get you back on board. Never fails

[TykeMerc]

Rights wise, none that aren't explicitly stated in the contract which I'd fully expect to be absolutely none.
Unless you've been offered an extension or it's at least been very seriously discussed the contract is ending.

If you've got a new contract that dovetails with your current one then it's polite to check that no extension is in the offing as you're preparing to move on.

[PhilBreeze]

Employment rights should be provided by your umbrella company so statutory notice period etc only applies to your engagement with the umbrella. If there is a notice period in the contract between the umbrella and the agency this will apply to your assignment.