Used and abused

[dogsbody]

Bit concerned about how my last contract finished and wanted to seek advice. The place I was working was fiercely anti-contractor, but needed my skills so got budget approval. I got on okay with the permies, but there was always that simmering anti-contractorness. The permies was low paid, and pretty low skilled so it did make my job more difficult but I toughed it out.

The project was delivered, and although my contracted end date ran on 6 weeks past the delivery date I was assured all the way along that my contracted term would be honoured. I couldn't see why they would want to keep me past this point, but another 6 weeks money to top up the warchest seemed ok to me.

Now the contract stated 2 weeks notice either side. Since the project was delivered, I've not had too much to do, then one evening I got a call from my pimp telling me they had terminated my contract with immediate effect. No reasons given other than ClientCo "raised some concerns" although apparently the agent doesn't have to go into details.

My concern is how to package this up on my CV, and how to talk about it with agencies and future clients. I mean, I did the work, and ex ClientCo is benefitting from all my hard work, so why they treated me in this way I have no idea. Perhaps I peed someone off. In any case it's irrelevant, I am still a bit shocked as it came out of nowhere.

[NotAllThere]

Talk about what to future clients or agents? You did the work, it was a difficult environment, the contract finished, you're now looking for another contract.

Note that the client (most probably) contractually could have given you two weeks notice and told you not to come in, so you've not lost anything.

So long as you get paid for the work you've done, what's the problem?

[dogsbody]

Talk about what to future clients or agents? You did the work, it was a difficult environment, the contract finished, you're now looking for another contract.

Note that the client (most probably) contractually could have given you two weeks notice and told you not to come in, so you've not lost anything.

So long as you get paid for the work you've done, what's the problem?

Thanks for that, yes I think I needed a gentle slap.

I guess what I was thinking was future clientcos wanting a reference from my last gig. They already said it was against company policy.

[NickFitz]

In any case it's irrelevant, I am still a bit shocked as it came out of nowhere.

I once had a client come to my desk at about ten past six on Tuesday afternoon to tell me that they didn't need me to finish the project and they'd rather save the money, so could I put in my last invoice, and thanks for all the fish.

It was true: the site we were working on was almost ready to launch (and did the following week, though a couple of days late), and their in-house people could handle the few loose ends. I sorted out my invoice, emailed it to him, packed up my laptop, shook hands, and by twenty past six I was on my way to the pub

It was certainly the most abrupt end to a contract I've ever experienced, but he was right that there was no point them spending any more money just to let me be there at the finish; it made more sense for them to keep the cash in the business if I wasn't actually required. That's just a thing that happens sometimes when you're contracting, and there's no point taking it personally

[northernladuk]

If you've got IPSE+ they will pay up to 1k if the agent didn't honour the contract. Give them a bell and see if this qualifies.

[kaiser78]

If you've got IPSE+ they will pay up to 1k if the agent didn't honour the contract. Give them a bell and see if this qualifies.

That's a good shout - has anyone ever done this and been compensated through IPSE ?

[dogsbody]

Well I don't think I can get any help with that. The wording in the contract basically says :

If at any time and for any reason ClientCo deems the contractor unsuitable they can terminate with immediate effect.

So 2 days after go-live, with business as usual they invoke this and give no reason. Agent says don't take it personally and he would work with me again no worries.

That's contracting. Cheers guys.

[DaveB]

I once had a client come to my desk at about ten past six on Tuesday afternoon to tell me that they didn't need me to finish the project and they'd rather save the money, so could I put in my last invoice, and thanks for all the fish.

It was true: the site we were working on was almost ready to launch (and did the following week, though a couple of days late), and their in-house people could handle the few loose ends. I sorted out my invoice, emailed it to him, packed up my laptop, shook hands, and by twenty past six I was on my way to the pub

It was certainly the most abrupt end to a contract I've ever experienced, but he was right that there was no point them spending any more money just to let me be there at the finish; it made more sense for them to keep the cash in the business if I wasn't actually required. That's just a thing that happens sometimes when you're contracting, and there's no point taking it personally

My best was manager who hired me telling me on a Wednesday afternoon not to come in on Thursday as, due to an accounting error, they'd run out of money to pay me.

18 months later I was working for them again

[DieScum]

What a bad way to treat you! They didn't even tell you themselves or give any warning. Ouch.

Only thing to do is suck it up. All part of the game.

Strategy wise I try and always feel out some good contacts for references in future while I'm onsite. Doesn't have to be anyone you report to directly - just someone! With that in the bag no matter how it goes it's always upwards and onwards to the next gig.

Sounds like you are well rid of that place! They have to stay there you will be somewhere new very soon.

[fullyautomatix]

I think you should be happy rather than annoyed. This is the perfect contracting world. The problem is, some people think of this as employment where as it isnt. The end client can hire and fire whenever it suits them. This flexibility is what makes contracting market so attractive. When a project nears completion or when I have handed over day to day running to a team, I normally hint to the client that they dont need me anymore and they are wasting money in keeping me.