Terminating Contract Early

[GillsMan]

Sorry but I'm in the 'look after yourself camp'.

Anyone who claims not to act in their own interests is full of it. We all do it.

BUT, that's not to say you shouldnt think first before you do it. Bailing out will have consequences obviously but you need to weigh it up.

£400/day more, WFH, new tech, project planning to run for 5 years. Would you stay with a gig that had a month left to run with no hope of renewal?

Yes, I'd speak to client and explain the situation. I'd hope MOST would be disappointed but would be ok about it. If they werent I'd bail anyway or phone in sick to be honest.

Completely different to bailing every other gig for £10 more and making up some cock and bull every time. In this sort of scenario it will affect you eventually.

No, speak for yourself, chum.

A few years ago, I was on £295/day doing fairly menial stuff. Because I specialise in a particular piece of software, a large insurance firm offered me £700 per day to come in and trouble shoot their issues. Three month contract. Existing one on £295 still had 6 weeks to go. I spoke to current client, who wouldn't let me leave. I had a four week notice period, but the potential new client couldn't wait 4 weeks so had to move on to someone different.

Not saying that everyone should do what I did, and simple maths suggests I didn't make the right call. But I was definitely not in it for just myself, and felt a sense of loyalty (even though I hated the gig I was currently on), to my current client.

Another time, I went in for an interview to provide some services which they already had the skills to do in house. I pointed out that with only a very little extra work, they could achieve what they wanted to achieve in-house, and didn't need me. They were extremely grateful, and contacted me at the end of their project to thank me again for my integrity. I didn't get any money for that, but maybe a little good business karma.

Basically, I always try to improve the client's situation - that means, that I'm not in for myself. If that's your view, fair play. I found that view a little narrow-minded to be honest.

And another advocate of the phoning in sick suggestion? Jaysus, that's absolutely pathetic behaviour.

[Batcher]

I've never walked in 18 years of contracting and as long as I'm happy I treat the current ClientCo as the man in possession i.e. they get first call on my services if they want me to stay over a possible new contract.

Long time ago I was at a ClientCo away from home all week with a young family back home. When my contract ended and was asked to extend for another 3 months I was up front with them and said I was looking to get something closer to home so was going to leave although I didn't have anything lined up. The client said they would make it a rolling 4 week contract so as long as I gave them 4 weeks notice it wouldn't be a problem. I accepted the terms and eventually got another contract in a project that was well planned ahead so they could wait the 4 weeks for me.

I would always be upfront with the client and you never know, honesty could pay dividends.

[Unix]

No, speak for yourself, chum.

A few years ago, I was on £295/day doing fairly menial stuff. Because I specialise in a particular piece of software, a large insurance firm offered me £700 per day to come in and trouble shoot their issues. Three month contract. Existing one on £295 still had 6 weeks to go. I spoke to current client, who wouldn't let me leave. I had a four week notice period, but the potential new client couldn't wait 4 weeks so had to move on to someone different.

Not saying that everyone should do what I did, and simple maths suggests I didn't make the right call. But I was definitely not in it for just myself, and felt a sense of loyalty (even though I hated the gig I was currently on), to my current client.

Another time, I went in for an interview to provide some services which they already had the skills to do in house. I pointed out that with only a very little extra work, they could achieve what they wanted to achieve in-house, and didn't need me. They were extremely grateful, and contacted me at the end of their project to thank me again for my integrity. I didn't get any money for that, but maybe a little good business karma.

Basically, I always try to improve the client's situation - that means, that I'm not in for myself. If that's your view, fair play. I found that view a little narrow-minded to be honest.

And another advocate of the phoning in sick suggestion? Jaysus, that's absolutely pathetic behaviour.

You don't believe you are worth the higher rate and that's why you didn't go but are dressing it up as some sort of loyalty to the client.

[SueEllen]

Not if theres, say, 2 months left and you're off sick for 2 months.

Actually one company I know has done longer than that.

Not every project companies say are "urgent" are actually urgent.

[SueEllen]

You don't believe you are worth the higher rate and that's why you didn't go but are dressing it up as some sort of loyalty to the client.

If you are content with a client there is no reason to leave.

Having worked with tulip clients I don't feel the need to be tulip to those that treat me decently.

[TheFaQQer]

I can't help thinking claiming you are off sick when you are not just to get out of contractual responsibilities will still constitute breach if not fraud.

I doubt you could successfully prove fraud.

You could almost certainly prove breach of contract, though. But it's not worth arguing here - there are those that believe you can breach your contract and no one will ever come after you because that's permie mentality, and there are those who have some idea about the law.

Someone I know followed the same guy into two contracts because he "broke his leg" to get out of them. Depending on your market, it can be a small world out there when word gets around.

[northernladuk]

I doubt you could successfully prove fraud.

You could almost certainly prove breach of contract, though. But it's not worth arguing here - there are those that believe you can breach your contract and no one will ever come after you because that's permie mentality, and there are those who have some idea about the law.

Someone I know followed the same guy into two contracts because he "broke his leg" to get out of them. Depending on your market, it can be a small world out there when word gets around.

Indeed. Didn't really mean to enter in to a discussion about it. Saying that I do know of a permie at my last place that went 'off sick' to get out of perm notice rather than negotiate so he could start a contract at short notice. He was in the Friday and then never saw him again. The client made an example and went after him and word on the grapevine is it went legal as well as the client contacting the his new client. Never heard the outcome unfortunately but can't have been too pretty either way...

But I digress..

[GillsMan]

You don't believe you are worth the higher rate and that's why you didn't go but are dressing it up as some sort of loyalty to the client.

Hahaha, just because you're a joke, don't assume we all are. Some of us - and I know this is going to be hard for you to comprehend - are actually quite truthful in all our dealings. Given that I have subsequently landed a contract on a higher rate than that one (yes, yes, I'm bragging here), I don't think I had some sort of inferiority complex. And with my Ltd Co now employing 5 full time members of staff, I don't think ego is really my problem here. But yes, keep trying to have a dig at me if you like. It's so working.

[BolshieBastard]

No, speak for yourself, chum.

A few years ago, I was on £295/day doing fairly menial stuff. Because I specialise in a particular piece of software, a large insurance firm offered me £700 per day to come in and trouble shoot their issues. Three month contract. Existing one on £295 still had 6 weeks to go. I spoke to current client, who wouldn't let me leave. I had a four week notice period, but the potential new client couldn't wait 4 weeks so had to move on to someone different.

Not saying that everyone should do what I did, and simple maths suggests I didn't make the right call. But I was definitely not in it for just myself, and felt a sense of loyalty (even though I hated the gig I was currently on), to my current client.

Another time, I went in for an interview to provide some services which they already had the skills to do in house. I pointed out that with only a very little extra work, they could achieve what they wanted to achieve in-house, and didn't need me. They were extremely grateful, and contacted me at the end of their project to thank me again for my integrity. I didn't get any money for that, but maybe a little good business karma.

Basically, I always try to improve the client's situation - that means, that I'm not in for myself. If that's your view, fair play. I found that view a little narrow-minded to be honest.

And another advocate of the phoning in sick suggestion? Jaysus, that's absolutely pathetic behaviour.

Id have had no qualms saying to the orignal client (paying the sub 300 a day) I was going to leave (for the 700 a day contract). I know this comes up a lot but I'd have terminated and quoted MOO in our contract. (And before NLUK says you cant use MOO, yes you can. Its equal for all parties and not just at the end of a contract or one sided for the client.)

Just different I suppose.

Ive offered professional advice previously and been informed 'we dont do that here.' Fair enough, up to them but I wouldnt hold myself to randsom for any co TBH.

[TykeMerc]

Hahaha, just because you're a joke, don't assume we all are. Some of us - and I know this is going to be hard for you to comprehend - are actually quite truthful in all our dealings. Given that I have subsequently landed a contract on a higher rate than that one (yes, yes, I'm bragging here), I don't think I had some sort of inferiority complex. And with my Ltd Co now employing 5 full time members of staff, I don't think ego is really my problem here. But yes, keep trying to have a dig at me if you like. It's so working.

Please note that the Unix ID is just the most recent of a chain of ID's perma banned for trolling so take everything said from that ID with a monster pinch of salt.

Trying to keep relationships decent is worth the effort so a candid discussion with your current client that you want to leave and why will at least mitigate the damage. I don't condone bailing on a current obligation for a bit better offer, but if you've got to at least be honest.