What would you do?

[northernladuk]

I like this sentiment so I'll say it again. Contracting isn't about being at the clients desk working. Any chump can do that. Contracting is about understanding about all the legislation around what we do,l such as IR35 (you did get your contract checked didn't you???), reading and understanding your contract and tour obligations. Also knowing about your finances and how to run a business properly. Getting lucky contract and falling into it does not make you a good contractor.

[PurpleGorilla]

Tell the other company you are available from September?

[psychocandy]

Hmm. Normally Im the first one to say look after number 1.

But first contract, two weeks in, close to home...

Unless the current gig is total crap, and the new one is 100x times better then I'd stay put. Never know, new place might still want you in 2.5 months time. All bets are off when current 3 monther you signed up for ends BTW - even if they want you to extend.... Do what you want to do then.

BTW - you never mentioned notice period? If there is none, then even worse idea bailing and putting your head down.

[The Spartan]

Hmm. Normally Im the first one to say look after number 1.

But first contract, two weeks in, close to home...

Unless the current gig is total crap, and the new one is 100x times better then I'd stay put. Never know, new place might still want you in 2.5 months time. All bets are off when current 3 monther you signed up for ends BTW - even if they want you to extend.... Do what you want to do then.

BTW - you never mentioned notice period? If there is none, then even worse idea bailing and putting your head down.

PC what happened to you?

[gables]

I'm not trying to be clever\smart\big etc but I really can't understand why the question needed to be asked.

Stay with the current contract not just because it's your first, but because you committed to it when you signed. This will happen again in the future, it's not unusual that after starting a contract one that you had looked previously may resurface, the answer is (as said before) to state your next availability and then focus on delivering.

[psychocandy]

PC what happened to you?

Spartie - you cut me deep matey!

Only because its first gig and its close to home. And OP says its decent enough.

Just to clarify that I'm still a bit of a mercenary bellend though. If it was me (with many years of gigs under my belt), started a crap gig miles away for pants money, or one that turned out to be not as advertised, and a cracking local one showed up with lots more wonga then I'd have NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER invoking a Notice Period.

Probably wouldnt do it if there was no notice period. I'd come on her and whinge about it instead.

Of course, I'd consider (but not care too much) the fact that both agent and client might be a bit upset but ultimately if the new gig was good enough it'd be worth it. They'd dry their tears after a bit and realize all I did was invoke a contract clause....

[psychocandy]

I'm not trying to be clever\smart\big etc but I really can't understand why the question needed to be asked.

Stay with the current contract not just because it's your first, but because you committed to it when you signed. This will happen again in the future, it's not unusual that after starting a contract one that you had looked previously may resurface, the answer is (as said before) to state your next availability and then focus on delivering.

OP hasn't told us what the notice period is. This is important. If there is a notice period then you've committed to a contract period WITH a Notice Period. And client/agent has taken you on board with this in the contract.

No good whining when a legal clause is invoked. If agent/client wants no notice period then negotiate it in at the beginning but don't cry about it later.

My current gig has no notice period for me, fair enough thats what the client wants - and the rate is decent enough to allow me to say ok to that. But I've worked on gigs with crap rate with one week notice.

Client was fine about this - knew the rate was crap but knew that if he expected people to stay the term then he'd never get anyone at all (and they do struggle). So he was happy to sign people up on 3 monther with one week notice and hope they stayed for a bit.

[gables]

OP hasn't told us what the notice period is. This is important. If there is a notice period then you've committed to a contract period WITH a Notice Period. And client/agent has taken you on board with this in the contract.

No good whining when a legal clause is invoked. If agent/client wants no notice period then negotiate it in at the beginning but don't cry about it later.

My current gig has no notice period for me, fair enough thats what the client wants - and the rate is decent enough to allow me to say ok to that. But I've worked on gigs with crap rate with one week notice.

Client was fine about this - knew the rate was crap but knew that if he expected people to stay the term then he'd never get anyone at all (and they do struggle). So he was happy to sign people up on 3 monther with one week notice and hope they stayed for a bit.

I see where you're coming from, but invoking the notice period because a previously looked at contract rears its head isn't something I would do except in exceptional circumstances.

[The Spartan]

Spartie - you cut me deep matey!

Only because its first gig and its close to home. And OP says its decent enough.

Just to clarify that I'm still a bit of a mercenary bellend though. If it was me (with many years of gigs under my belt), started a crap gig miles away for pants money, or one that turned out to be not as advertised, and a cracking local one showed up with lots more wonga then I'd have NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER invoking a Notice Period.

Probably wouldnt do it if there was no notice period. I'd come on her and whinge about it instead.

Of course, I'd consider (but not care too much) the fact that both agent and client might be a bit upset but ultimately if the new gig was good enough it'd be worth it. They'd dry their tears after a bit and realize all I did was invoke a contract clause....

Phew I thought you'd been abducted by

I however do agree with your previous post.

[northernladuk]

Phew I thought you'd been abducted by

I however do agree with your previous post.

As do I.