Contractor Notice Period

[Zed777]

I recently was offered a job that required me to start in 2 weeks, however my manager would not negotiate as he required cover and it would take time to replace me. My contract says I "may" give 4 weeks it not using the normal mandatory language found in perm contracts.

I argued with my manager that I had been flexible during the last 5months I was with them including a cut of 2weeks at Christmas. It seems contactors have to be flexible when entering a contract but when leaving some companied don't wish to reciprocate this flexibility.

In the end I decided not to go to the next contract for fear of losing a good contract and burning bridges.

My question is that for a contractor can any notice period be considered mandatory?? as we have no pay in arrears and contracts are only typically 3months , I have only 6weeks left to go anyway.

[NotAllThere]

You are a contractor. You (or rather your company) is bound by your contract. Hence the term contractor. The clue is in the name.

If your contract specifies four weeks and you only give two weeks notice, then the agency can sue your company under contract law for any losses incurred due to those two weeks when you were not there. That includes, for example, the cost of getting in someone from a really expensive consultancy to cover - your company will pay.

Is that hard to understand? Why should it be any different?

[WTFH]

Did you try going to the next client and telling them you would not be free for 4 weeks?
Or was the next client through an agent, in which case the agent is most likely the one demanding 2 weeks, not the client, cause the agent wants his commission.

Otherwise, you're a contractor. Go for contracts that you can fulfil.

[BrilloPad]

I recently was offered a job that required me to start in 2 weeks, however my manager would not negotiate as he required cover and it would take time to replace me. My contract says I "may" give 4 weeks it not using the normal mandatory language found in perm contracts.

I argued with my manager that I had been flexible during the last 5months I was with them including a cut of 2weeks at Christmas. It seems contactors have to be flexible when entering a contract but when leaving some companied don't wish to reciprocate this flexibility.

In the end I decided not to go to the next contract for fear of losing a good contract and burning bridges.

My question is that for a contractor can any notice period be considered mandatory?? as we have no pay in arrears and contracts are only typically 3months , I have only 6weeks left to go anyway.

You should have asked on CUK first. Give 4 weeks notice. Take last 2 weeks off as sick leave.

I am aware this is immoral. But having been tucked up by contract law more times than a pizza calzone restaurant, I don't care. Please lets not start the debate again.

Before deciding not to go for next contract, you should have asked on here.

Do more asking round. And don't reveal your "hand" until you are sure of the outcome.....

[TheFaQQer]

I am aware this is immoral.

Immoral / fraud. Potato / potato

[LondonManc]

Can one of the other 776 Zeds not substitute?

[billybiro]

I am aware this is immoral.

AKA a perfectly legitimate action within a capitalist environment.

[clearedforlanding]

"WFH" for the last 2 weeks.

[clearedforlanding]

You should have asked on CUK first. Give 4 weeks notice. Take last 2 weeks off as sick leave.

I am aware this is immoral. But having been tucked up by contract law more times than a pizza calzone restaurant, I don't care. Please lets not start the debate again.

Before deciding not to go for next contract, you should have asked on here.

Do more asking round. And don't reveal your "hand" until you are sure of the outcome.....

I pulled a "Conflict Of Interest" joker out of my pocket a couple of times - I am going to work for a competitor in the same field - much more elegant than a sickie.

No bridges burned, but cost a couple of weeks invoicing when I was marched off site.

[LondonManc]

I recently was offered a job that required me to start in 2 weeks, however my manager would not negotiate as he required cover and it would take time to replace me. My contract says I "may" give 4 weeks it not using the normal mandatory language found in perm contracts.

I argued with my manager that I had been flexible during the last 5months I was with them including a cut of 2weeks at Christmas. It seems contactors have to be flexible when entering a contract but when leaving some companied don't wish to reciprocate this flexibility.

In the end I decided not to go to the next contract for fear of losing a good contract and burning bridges.

My question is that for a contractor can any notice period be considered mandatory?? as we have no pay in arrears and contracts are only typically 3months , I have only 6weeks left to go anyway.

You have to consider that you entered a legally binding agreement and be prepared to be sued for breach of contract, especially if you leave them in the lurch.

If it's the same agent for both contracts, speak to them; I've had things transition well when it's the same agent both times.