Hate my contract such a bad experience

**fiisch** · 16 September 2021, 14:45

30 day payment terms, contract length and disparity in notice is all fairly run-of-the-mill stuff. I rarely pay much attention to notice periods as ultimately if they want shot of you, you could be out the door tomorrow with no more work/billing days, so your security as a contractor is making sure the client needs you.

Of the points you've listed, 1,2,3 are annoying but can happen, 7 is odd that they'd ask you to do something you're not experienced to do, but ultimately you can either have a bash and carry on and get paid or refuse and walk out the door.

However, life is too short to be unhappy in a gig - get circulating your CV, bang on the door of old contacts and get activating your 2 (I'm assuming 5 is the other way around, and it's client that has 2 week notice, vs your 4) week notice. Market seems to be buoyant at the moment, so no need to be stuck in a contract you hate. At the time, it always feels worse than it is - you'll look back in a few months, be glad you're out of there, but not give it much more thought. Good luck.

**virtualm** · 16 September 2021, 15:05

Thanks fiisch, yes you are correct, my notice period is 4 weeks.

It's point 7 that is the killer, I specialise in my area which I have been doing for 30 years, but their expectations of changing my role compared to what my skills are is just crazy. They are paying me good money and I am not delivering....embarrassing all round.

Thanks for your input, I've been thinking hard what to do. I think the time has come to call it a day with them.

**NotAllThere** · 16 September 2021, 15:12

Originally posted by virtualm View Post

I know the old saying no such thing as a bad gig

Never heard of such a saying. I've terminated bad gigs. Not worth the stress and effort. Unless you're desperate for cash, I'd take them up on the offer to terminate your contract. Immediately after they've signed your latest timesheet. And never use the agency again.

btw. 6) They can terminate you immediately anyway, so you had no security regardless.

**virtualm** · 16 September 2021, 15:42

I think what I was trying to say about 'no such thing as a bad gig', is that I'm getting paid....but your right, I've been contracting far too long to see that this one is an utter disaster. Way too much stress, it's not always about money is it guys.

**NotAllThere** · 16 September 2021, 17:42

Originally posted by virtualm View Post

it's not always about money is it guys.

No. But it helps!

**northernladuk** · 16 September 2021, 19:39

Originally posted by virtualm View Post

1) Delayed start date by 3 weeks, contract was signed and then amended with the new start date. So effectively I lost 3 weeks pay.

Yes but no. You don't earn it if you don't work it. That's contracting and is part of the risk. Late starts aren't uncommon and I think it's going to get worse. We've a thread about a poster that is waiting to start because there is a delay getting the laptop to them. In the old days you turn up to the office and read paperwork out but we can't do that anymore. In the new world you start when everything has arrived so I expect more stories of delays.

2) I complained to the agency and they got really sh.. with me, now they don't speak to me.

Of course they would. What can they do if the client is late? They won't care about your problems but remember they aren't getting paid either so I am sure they aren't right happy about it without you complaing.

3) Laptop took 1 week to arrive, and then I had to take a load of training courses before I could gain access in my own time.

As per item 1 I am expecting this type of thing to be more the new norm in this remote world.
[quote]

5) Client 4 weeks notice, me - 2 weeks.

Why is this a problem? Uneven terms aren't that uncommon

6) Agency originally offered 12 months contract, and this is what is in my contract but client then said it would be a 2 month contract renewable in 2 monthly increments. Then my 2 months passed, and now they are only renewing only a month by month basis. So I have no security whether they will extend on a month by month

No way would I believed it's a 12 month gig, even if it's in the contract. If you've been around 14 years you should know no clients do this. They are nearly always tied to budget quarters. I'd have questioned this one as soon a I saw it and even if they were convinced it was I'd treat it with some suspicion. Either way, at the end of the day a gig is only as long as your notice period. The rest is a bonus.
But 12 month contract? No way. The monthly renewal is a right pain in the arse though. Ive been on one of them and they aren't fun.

7) The role I applied for is completely different to what my skills are, I specialise as a Retail consultant and they are asking me to run Finance workshops and act as Finance consultant. When challenging this I was told this was mentioned to me in the interview, it was not. Then the client said if I don't like it then they will terminate my contract immediately. This part really confuses me as my interviews were specifically around my retail experience, my CV explores this in detail. How can they get this so wrong?

Dunno but we've someone else on the forum as we speak who's been sold a dummy but in that, and ineed this one, the interview is two way. It's a chance for you to interview them about exactly what you'll be doing and the current status to see if you are interested. To go in to an interview and they ask you questions, you answer and leave is a bit permi'esque

8) 30 working days payment terms, OK no biggie, but I have to get my client to sign off my timesheet and they have been so doing this, and then this adds a delay to when I get paid.

Not the best but again not uncommon so not really a problem with this gig, just not the best payment terms around.

I know the old saying no such thing as a bad gig, yes I am getting paid. But I am so stressed with them expecting me to deliver in a role that I am not comfortable with.

So you take them up on your offer and leave. The poster I mentioned that got sold a dummy is also struggling with the stress to point they were considering going off with stress. Life is too short. Tell them it's not for you and leave. Don't get stressed. It's not worth it.

Is this the new normal? I can't wait to leave this place.

Some of the stuff you mention is pretty common anyway so unfortunate, some isn't really a problem, just not the best and a few points I think we will definitely see more of.

You just seem to have run in to all of them in one gig.

**virtualm** · 16 September 2021, 20:01

Cheers northernladuk, you speak a lot of sense.

I've been contracting for 14 years now, I think I've been quite lucky with my past gigs, I've had two that lasted 18 months, the rest easily 6 months. I thought I'd seen it all, but this gig is for a global company, it's a huge project that's basically gone tits up, everybody is arguing, no team moral from the management team. I've been around and I've seen what's good and what's not. This one is a complete NIGHTMARE.

What I can't get my head around is a large global consultancy firm that is prepared to interview somebody with say Retail skills, interview is focussed around Retail, and then when you arrive you are told you wont be supporting that function, instead you will support Finance. How the f.. am I supposed to run workshops and show users the Finance module? Yes I'm getting paid a lot and they expect a lot...but seriously why did they even bother taking me on.

I'll work until the end of this month, get my timesheet approved and then give them my notice and see if I want to take stress leave in the last 2 weeks. Never seen this before OMG.

Speaking to pimps about other opportunities at the same time.

**Fraidycat** · 16 September 2021, 21:02

Originally posted by virtualm View Post

What I can't get my head around is a large global consultancy firm that is prepared to interview somebody with say Retail skills, interview is focussed around Retail, and then when you arrive you are told you wont be supporting that function, instead you will support Finance. How the f.. am I supposed to run workshops and show users the Finance module? Yes I'm getting paid a lot and they expect a lot...but seriously why did they even bother taking me on.

The old Bait and switch.

From both the agent (saying it was 12 month gig), to the client not telling you it is a Finance gig.

They cant find anyone (at least quickly) if they told the truth.

So they lie, and hope the sucker that takes the bait (you in this case) is able to grin and bear it.

It is a gamble on their part, and it didn't pay off this time.

**hairymouse** · 17 September 2021, 07:43

What's the deal with doing required training on your own time? Did they tell you specifically not to put that on your time sheet? If you did the training on the company laptop I would be very surprised if you weren't supposed to be paid.

Hate my contract such a bad experience