Contracting risks...

[LucidDementia]

Really? So everyone presumes that this was because of a rate-cut, and not because the guy was unprofessional and wanted to move?

... yak yak yak yak ...

In any case, that isn't what happened here either. If it were, then the thread would be about "old client gave me notice, new client binned the job" instead of "I binned my client and the new client binned the post I wanted".

Irrelevance FTW?

The fact remains that adhering to and using the contract as he sees fit is professional.

It may be unethical, amoral and downright bloody rude, but it's professional.

[MrMarkyMark]

How is anyone going to know you bailed though?

The answer to that is very simple .

We knew they were prone to bailing as they were not immediately available and their CV cover sheet said they had to give x weeks notice.

[SueEllen]

The answer to that is very simple .

We knew they were prone to bailing as they were not immediately available and their CV cover sheet said they had to give x weeks notice.

Not all cover sheets come with that information or even the correct information.

Agencies lie to both contractors and companies.....

[MrMarkyMark]

Not all cover sheets come with that information or even the correct information.

Agencies lie to both contractors and companies.....

Maybe not, but ones at client co have to.
They are filled out by HR, obviously, using info from the agent.

In this instance, whether the details were correct, on the coversheet, is immaterial.
The point is, most of those applicants made the round filing cabinet, I filed them in there as "DOA".

[SueEllen]

Maybe not, but ones at client co have to.
They are filled out by HR, obviously, using info from the agent.

In this instance, whether the details were correct, on the coversheet, is immaterial.
The point is, most of those applicants made the round filing cabinet, I filed them in there as "DOA".

I've been at clients where we have waited 4-6 weeks for a contractor.

On some occasions we have knowingly stolen them from a competitor.

The cover sheet has had some random carp on it which we told them to put. The notice was irrelevant as we knew when we needed them and how long their notice was.

Also some agents know some companies take a long time so are happy to have people with notice of 2-4 weeks.

[MrMarkyMark]

I've been at clients where we have waited 4-6 weeks for a contractor.

So have I, especially if I know who they are. In fact they waited for 2 months for someone here.

I would suggest we are talking a different thing here i.e. getting the CVs through with a carp notice period, to satisfy HR, thus manipulating the system to get someone in you know, good stuff.

Each situation is different, in this case the programme was due to run for some time and the client wanted stability.
Hence, I was not interested in the bailers.

Of course, I may have misidentified some incorrectly, but I needed to filter those CVs, somehow.

[fool]

Irrelevance FTW?

The fact remains that adhering to and using the contract as he sees fit is professional.

It may be unethical, amoral and downright bloody rude, but it's professional.

I'd argue you probably have that backwards. Negating reasons, is it unethical invoke a contract clause to leave a client in the lurch? I'd argue that it's not. If they wanted no notice, they should have paid for it and since most clients refuse to entertain anything above market, the ethics of the situation are they get what they pay for.

That said, by invoking you'll almost certaintly take a hit on reputation. Thusly, it's entirly an argument of professionalism. Is it professional to invoke? I'd say you entirly depends on the reason. Is it worth it for £20 extra a day? Probably not and unlike NLUK, I don't really believe people leave for this reason.

Folks don't always tell you why they're really leaving. It can be for that extra tenner or the shorter commute, but it can just as easily be that they hate working with you and they'd rather tell you it's about the money than insult you to your face. Maybe you're actually a great guy but they're just serial unfinishers that just leave as soon as they need to do the actual dirty work.

Either way make sure it's worth it when you invoke because it will almost certaintly be reflected in your ability to find work in your niche after you've been doing it for a little while.

[MrMarkyMark]

but it can just as easily be that they hate working with you and they'd rather tell you it's about the money than insult you to your face.

Either way make sure it's worth it when you invoke because it will almost certaintly be reflected in your ability to find work in your niche after you've been doing it for a little while.

This.

[LucidDementia]

Either way make sure it's worth it when you invoke because it will almost certainly be reflected in your ability to find work in your niche after you've been doing it for a little while.

Very true.

As to your other comments; perhaps this is rather subjective?
Personally I view professionalism as doing good business, but then I've not been a permie since I was a kid. I have always been in business for myself, be that contracting or otherwise, so for me a big part of professionalism is being a hard-nosed bastard. If invoking appears good for my business, after weighing the pros and cons, I'll invoke.

[fool]

Very true.

As to your other comments; perhaps this is rather subjective?
Personally I view professionalism as doing good business, but then I've not been a permie since I was a kid. I have always been in business for myself, be that contracting or otherwise, so for me a big part of professionalism is being a hard-nosed bastard. If invoking appears good for my business, after weighing the pros and cons, I'll invoke.

It is subjective but I'd argue you're actually agreeing though. It's a bad business decision to leave for £20 extra a day. That's £4k a year. My reputation and ability to deliver matters way more than that.