6 month contract or risk extension?

[JohnJizzle]

Hi all,

currently working my first ever contract, was initially for 3 months that ended in January but has been extended until of April (no new contract signed though).

They have said at end of April it will probably be extended again. However, I have seen a 6 month contract which is more money (but would have to stay away) - but its the 6 month that is appealing.

is it worth jumping to the 6 month contract or hoping for extension...........

[jmo21]

Yes.

[BolshieBastard]

Try mumsnet if you're that undecided or unable to make your own decision.

[northernladuk]

Try mumsnet if you're that undecided or unable to make your own decision.

This! You are a business on your own now. No one to hold your hand so you have to make your own decisions. If you can't then go back to permie land.

[Andy Hallett]

No harm in keeping your options open. Get the other role and you have a nice decision to make.

[DannyF1966]

Have a look at the answers I got when I asked a similar question last month.

[northernladuk]

No harm in keeping your options open. Get the other role and you have a nice decision to make.

But then he's going to get himself in a position where he is probably going to have to breach one or other contracts or at best get himself in an uncomfortable situation he doesn't know to handle..

But yes until he has the other contract there is no decision to make.

[sal]

Hi all,

currently working my first ever contract, was initially for 3 months that ended in January but has been extended until of April (no new contract signed though).

They have said at end of April it will probably be extended again. However, I have seen a 6 month contract which is more money (but would have to stay away) - but its the 6 month that is appealing.

is it worth jumping to the 6 month contract or hoping for extension...........

Seen or have been offered? makes huge difference...

[BlasterBates]

The key words "stay away" seem to me mean this will cost you fair amount. That means filing your car up twice a week and at least 30 quid a night, I would tend to budget 50 quid a night.

I would say a grand a month.

If you have a client round the corner then I would say that would be a client you really want to make happy.

Not to mention that when you're continuously on the road your life slowly deteriates.

[Willapp]

You need to factor in the cost of staying away against the increased rate and see if it actually works out better. Also don't forget to factor in your time as a cost too - though this is harder to put an exact figure on - but if you'd have to travel for an extra hour each day, ask yourself if that's really worth an extra £X per day after other travel costs (assuming the costs don't render the new contract worthless anyway).

As far as risk goes, most people will tell you that a 6 month contract is really no more secure than a 3 month one, since the contract will have termination clauses meaning the client can get rid of you whenever they want. Personally I'd stay put on the basis that you're a "known quantity" at your current client, and they presumably are happy with you as they've offered one extension already with the possibility of more to follow. You could take the new contract and find out within a week or two that the work isn't your thing - or worse still the client decides you aren't right - and then you end up with nothing.