Should I pull out of contract?

**NotAllThere** · 23 June 2021, 19:50

Depends on your risk levels. I waited 3 months back in 1999 for clearance. Eventually I called up the head of HR at *****REDACTED***** and mentioned that my friends who were neighbours of *****REDACTED***** had spoken to him and he'd said I should call the head of HR.

I spoke to the secretary and would you believe it, 3 day later my clearance came though. Worth it though. In those 3 months outside of contract I got really good at Worms Armageddon, had a great time living off previous earnings, and got a higher rate for a year than I'd ever had once the contract started.

**Fraidycat** · 23 June 2021, 20:04

Originally posted by Heather1989 View Post

Is it illegal/bad for me to pull out?

No.

You verbally agreed to the gig on the understanding your SC would be sorted well before you were to start.

You havent signed anything yet either.

Just return the laptop and tell them you have found something else.

**Gulliver89** · 23 June 2021, 21:06

Why will it be illegal? You don't even have a binding contract (even if you do, unlikely that they will put such clause in, and if so, it will be near impossible for them to enforce it)...

I understand that you have other offers, but until you actually start in one of these (and happy with it) - I'd say - no good reason to pull-out.
Worst case - the process starts, you get SC (that can be used for other gigs) and you either continue or you don't.

**northernladuk** · 23 June 2021, 21:20

Originally posted by Gulliver89 View Post

Why will it be illegal?

For some reason plenty of people thinking doing something when they don't know is illegal. We see it a lot on here.

OP. Wouldn't happen to be based in Milton Keynes would it?

I got contacted about an SC gig recently that was willing to put me through clearance but they did make it clear I wouldn't work until it came through and they wanted the commitment from now to then so fair play to them for being honest. Rate was derisory but I was very tempted to try and dovetail it just to get SC. I regularly get contacted for Gov SC gigs and most are outside so would have been worth taking the hit to get it for me.... but just the rate

.. Just didn't make financial sense in the end so said upfront I couldn't commit to what was happening in 6 weeks and that I'd be around if there was a delay and left it.

Sounds like you have been sold up a bum deal. No way would I have believed them if they'd said SC in 3 weeks. Not a chance in hell that is going to happen.

Just say no thanks, circumstances have changed and leave it... although SC could be very valuable in these dark times. Just have to do the sums and see what works.

**LondonManc** · 23 June 2021, 21:33

How long is your other gig for? What's the notice period in that one? No point turning the SC one down if you can get three months out of the other one before the SC one even turns up. The other one might get canned anyway.

**GhostofTarbera** · 23 June 2021, 22:33

Start new job while waiting for SC then do both jobs at once - double bubble

**courtg9000** · 24 June 2021, 09:36

Nothing wrong with taking other work here.
Phone them and say. "IF this clearance issue isn't sorted in 24 hours I will take on other work."

**Epiphone** · 24 June 2021, 12:08

You’ve put all your eggs in one basket on a single income stream and stopped looking for other work based on a vague promise.

never stop looking for work until you’re actually working for a client. Try not to have one client you’re dependant on.

Get more work then when the SC clearance comes through go the 8 weeks.

**SussexSeagull** · 24 June 2021, 13:39

String them along while looking for another contract.

Should I pull out of contract?