Pulling out of Contract after accepting

[seanraaron]

There will be no financial penalty for getting out of contract A.
It is the moral/reputational penalty that concerns me.

Pretty simple then: will you pay a price for burning bridges? Scotland is a small market, so I've made it a point never to burn bridges because your name can get around pretty easy here. But if you're in London or whatever, maybe you can afford to piss off half the employers, I dunno?

[BrilloPad]

There will be no financial penalty for getting out of contract A.
It is the moral/reputational penalty that concerns me.

There is no moral issue. You are a business. Not Claire Raynor. Turn down B and you might find that A cancels your contract at the last moment. Look after number one.

At the moment you don't even have the gig. Go to interview. It might never be an issue.

[clearedforlanding]

It is your first contract, you have learnt a lesson.

A successful contractor will have built a reputation for honouring contracts, meeting deliverables and proving himself as reliable.

We all have had better offers in contract, and those of us with professional integrity have sat out the existing contract and often whole project. You are now in contract and a exit would be breach of contract.

Go with contract A and start your contracting career on solid foundations. It is personal discipline as well as professional image.

[LondonManc]

There will be no financial penalty for getting out of contract A.
It is the moral/reputational penalty that concerns me.

New to breach of contract?

[northernladuk]

There will be no financial penalty for getting out of contract A.
It is the moral/reputational penalty that concerns me.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Depends on when you are due to start and what loses the agent will incur. No penalty in the contract but they could sue you for breach (depending on the exact details of the situation)

[WTFH]

It is the moral/reputational penalty that concerns me.

Then you have answered the question.


You've signed for contract A, you work contract A. Next time don't sign as fast.

[cloudycontractor]

There will be no financial penalty for getting out of contract A.
It is the moral/reputational penalty that concerns me.

[LondonManc]

Interview B was booked before Interview A and I did tell the recruiter that I had interview B booked.. Its just that company A moved incredibly fast. Recruiter A wanted an immediate answer so I was unable to stall in fear of losing that gig.
I went to cancel the process for interview B but as can be expected, recruiter B was trying to convince me to take whichever offer is better.

Reputation and word do mean a lot to me. However, I also am human so a 14 mile round trip each day is far better than a 90 mile round trip. Equally, the daily rate is more. I don't know how else I should have played it. I would have lost out on contract A if I stalled and although highly likely, it is not guaranteed that I will get contract B.

You've already signed contract A, yes?
Have you asked agent B if they'll pay your costs of getting out of it?

[Eirikur]

Interview B was booked before Interview A and I did tell the recruiter that I had interview B booked.. Its just that company A moved incredibly fast. Recruiter A wanted an immediate answer so I was unable to stall in fear of losing that gig.
I went to cancel the process for interview B but as can be expected, recruiter B was trying to convince me to take whichever offer is better.

Reputation and word do mean a lot to me. However, I also am human so a 14 mile round trip each day is far better than a 90 mile round trip. Equally, the daily rate is more. I don't know how else I should have played it. I would have lost out on contract A if I stalled and although highly likely, it is not guaranteed that I will get contract B.

You had to stall recruiter A by saying you need to have your contract reviewed first for IR35, which I hope you have done (unless you're going to work for an umbrella)

[northernladuk]

Sometimes you just have to play what you've got and stick to it. You had a choice and you took it. Time wasnt on your side this time but maybe it will next time. Remember each contract is for a finite time. You are going to have many of them. Some good, some bad. The longer commute isn't forever. It's just part of what we do.