Ending contract early

[SueEllen]

I sent them the discharge notes. The agency have been fine about it all actually, it is the client who are giving them a hard time.

Brilliant.

[jazza]

Thought it might be worth putting in an update here.

I went back last week and worked out the week that I should have done the week previous when my wife went to hospital. I'm glad I went back as I was able to finish off my outstanding tasks and end the contract in a much nicer manner, and say goodbye to people, etc.

Anyway today, out of the blue I get a call from the agency. The manager at the client who had talked about breach off contract has gone on long term sickness leave, and they are very keen for me to come back and work on some more projects for them. In point of fact I have decided that this job is a little too far from home for me, but nice to get some positive feedback.

[psychocandy]

Thought it might be worth putting in an update here.

I went back last week and worked out the week that I should have done the week previous when my wife went to hospital. I'm glad I went back as I was able to finish off my outstanding tasks and end the contract in a much nicer manner, and say goodbye to people, etc.

Anyway today, out of the blue I get a call from the agency. The manager at the client who had talked about breach off contract has gone on long term sickness leave, and they are very keen for me to come back and work on some more projects for them. In point of fact I have decided that this job is a little too far from home for me, but nice to get some positive feedback.

LOL. Good for you. Ironic that manager has gone on sick himself - obviously works just one way for him.

Glad they've asked you back but if it was me I'd be wary after the way they treated you this time.

Got a big thing about this. There family/serious stuff and theres work/computers/systems. First one is WAAAYYYYY more important than second (unless someones life is in danger which is rare). Clients/people who dont understand this are to be avoided.

[DaveB]

Thought it might be worth putting in an update here.

I went back last week and worked out the week that I should have done the week previous when my wife went to hospital. I'm glad I went back as I was able to finish off my outstanding tasks and end the contract in a much nicer manner, and say goodbye to people, etc.

Anyway today, out of the blue I get a call from the agency. The manager at the client who had talked about breach off contract has gone on long term sickness leave, and they are very keen for me to come back and work on some more projects for them. In point of fact I have decided that this job is a little too far from home for me, but nice to get some positive feedback.

Nicley done. It does seem like the ideal opportunity to negotiate some flexible working if the gig is a bit far from home. You have the upper hand as they want you to come back.

[jmo21]

LOL. Good for you. Ironic that manager has gone on sick himself - obviously works just one way for him.

Glad they've asked you back but if it was me I'd be wary after the way they treated you this time.

Got a big thing about this. There family/serious stuff and theres work/computers/systems. First one is WAAAYYYYY more important than second (unless someones life is in danger which is rare). Clients/people who dont understand this are to be avoided.

This.

I was out for a couple of weeks after crashing my car before Xmas.

Client co were totally understanding (frankly I'd have expected nothing less), and client co boss man even got me a week back of the 2 week contractor xmas furlough so I could earn (and the project was pretty quiet at the time too, so it wasn't that he desperately wanted me to get stuff done)

[psychocandy]

Says the guy that thinks phoning in sick is an acceptable way of getting out of contractual obligations. Do you not think it's that attitude which is causing this type if client behaviour in a real situation. Total hypocrite.

Hang on now are we back to this pc/unix same person thing? How many times - unix is not me.

[psychocandy]

You can still put family first and not have a **** you attitude towards your client. That's just unprofessional. Not hard to balance the two where possible. Where family wins over the client there is nothing wrong with accepting you are the one that has put the client out and showing a bit of acceptance of that instead of blaming the client and having a **** you attitude.

I would agree but in this instance I think the client pushed this one according to the OPs side of things.

In my experience, most people are ok.

But I've also worked at clients no so good. I remember one asking me to work the weekend - I said only available until 5pm. No negotiation - wife was working.

Ran on a bit. 5pm came. Client had a strop when I said I had to go. I explained that we'd discussed this and wife had work so I had no option. Their answer, its important cant the mrs phone in sick? I was not impressed and had a big row with them about it. In the end, I said tough and walked out.

Guy did apologise to me the next week to be fair. Point is - its all well and good to try and keep client in mind but sometimes you've got to say tough luck.