client asking me not to work, even though I have a signed contract

[Illustrious]

well, yes, that is about the only reason to stay.

Doesn't this hinder you with regards to finding another contract? The usual opening is "what's your current situation?" - I think you'd be better on the bench and immediately available rather than having to explain to an agent that you aren't actually working at the moment but are contracted to come in as and when the client wants you on-site.

[fonejacker]

It would depend what your contract says, but I don't see why not unless they've specifically included something to cover this.

If I were you'd I'd definitely be looking elswhere. Once you've found something give them your notice and say you'll need to come in for 5 days to train someone on deployment. If your contract is with the consultancy, and they've someone managed to make a flexible resource key man dependant, they really should be paying for you to hand it over regardless of if they can bill the client.

If they don't allow you the time to handover, then they might come asking you to do the deployment, in which case you can negotiate a new contract and substantially higher daily rate.

definitely looking but want to work local. So for the privilege of working local i'm putting up with all of this I guess you could say. deployment will be at higher rate as it's the weekend and there will be money for being on call so it's quite a wedge.

[fonejacker]

Doesn't this hinder you with regards to finding another contract? The usual opening is "what's your current situation?" - I think you'd be better on the bench and immediately available rather than having to explain to an agent that you aren't actually working at the moment but are contracted to come in as and when the client wants you on-site.

that's a very good point, I'm working for consultancy A, consultancy B came knocking the other day asking if I was available, unfortunately it fell over before it got to the point where they asked me what I was currently doing but I wonder what I would have said. Probably 5 days notice to give time to handover here was my thinking, but then that wouldn't sound right. If consultancy B gets the hint i'm working with Consultancy A and mid-project they won't want to step on their toes and 'steal' someone from them mid-project. So i agree, it's better to be totally free on the bench ready to start than being in 'on and off' mode.

[Illustrious]

I wouldn't fret about the consultancy/agent worrying about stepping on someone else's toes. Recruitment, especially in contracting, is cut-throat and I've had agents admit on the phone that they like to mess things up for other agents; they're always looking to take another agents margin. That you're leaving a role to go work for them means they're getting paid and that is just tough luck for the other agent. However, you might come undone where say the client co needs someone to start as soon as possible. If you tell them that you have a notice period to work and that you couldn't start next week for example is where it gets difficult. Sometimes it's not even the client who makes that decision. The could well be prepared to take you, if you're the right person for the job, but the agent only sees his commission. The sooner they get someone in the quicker they start making money. They could potentially not even put you forward if they have a well of candidates that can start ASAP.

While it might seem worthwhile keeping this contract rolling for the 3 or 4 days a month they're offering just to get those 4 days billed, I'd be seriously considering the impact it will have on procuring you a new, regularly paid gig.

[SimonMac]

What can I do? I thought about going in on Monday, and just doing whatever is on the Kanban board, and invoice at the end of the week as always. They'll not approve the invoice, but I'd have done work, right?

If the client has told you not to go in, and you ignore their instructions you can let yourself into a whole world of trouble, the problem could be a legal one between them and their end client, you turning up and continuing to work will not guarantee you get paid

[SueEllen]

well i'll work for anyone who pays me - like any contractor, if there is work around which might be X days per month then it's better than 0 days per month. (or solid days per month working abroad/in a hotel? debatable..)

Earning no money you may as well be on the bench so you are immediately available.

And you may be better of taking a non-local gig. Some gigs allow you to WFH for varied amounts of time.

[LondonManc]

If the client has told you not to go in, and you ignore their instructions you can let yourself into a whole world of trouble, the problem could be a legal one between them and their end client, you turning up and continuing to work will not guarantee you get paid

My thoughts entirely. The only way round this I would think is to ask about the feasibility of doing other work - to get an annexe to the existing contract to allow for an extra statement of work to cover, say, delivery of documentation.

[jmo21]

Doesn't this hinder you with regards to finding another contract? The usual opening is "what's your current situation?" - I think you'd be better on the bench and immediately available rather than having to explain to an agent that you aren't actually working at the moment but are contracted to come in as and when the client wants you on-site.

I agree.

I wouldn't stay, I have a decent warchest not to put up with that crap.

Not everyone can afford to knock back work though.

[LondonManc]

I agree.

I wouldn't stay, I have a decent warchest not to put up with that crap.

Not everyone can afford to knock back work though.

Current situation is that he's not required by his current client and can therefore take on other work; giving notice and making himself not available for existing client (unless he's happy to work weekends as well).

[fonejacker]

Earning no money you may as well be on the bench so you are immediately available.

And you may be better of taking a non-local gig. Some gigs allow you to WFH for varied amounts of time.

agreed, anything is better than 'on and off working'...been contracting for 12 years and only had a couple of gigs that did it, this one the worst. Let's hope it doesn't become more commonplace.