Contract extension sent 2 and a half months before my contract ends

[northernladuk]

So, say I sign the contract extension that starts in January, but in December, a month before the current contract ends, I decide I want to leave. Will I technically still need to give 1 month's notice because I have already signed up for another 6 months to start right after?

You have entered a contract with a notice period to get out. Doesn't matter when the work starts, that's just the schedule of work. To get out of the contracto you must give 1 months notice.

BTW that's a long notice. Try get it down to two week or even less if you can.

Also, could the agency turn around and say I am obliged to give 1 month's notice from January because I have legally entered into a contract extension before the current one has ended?

I don't understand what you are asking here but as above, you enter in to a contract which then needs notice to get out of whether you signed it early or on the day it starts. I am sure there is some legal complexities about contracts and no work started but I don't think you need to go there. Once you've signed it as long as you give one month notice then you are free of it.

All seems a very silly situation and raises complexities it really shouldn't. Have you spoken to the agent about why they are doing this and the like since?

[Tractor Trace]

All seems a very silly situation and raises complexities it really shouldn't. Have you spoken to the agent about why they are doing this and the like since?

No, my feeling is that I should not have to make a decision about renewing until 1 month before my current contract ends. I doubt that they will budge on the 1 month's notice either because they did not for the first contract.

It makes it very difficult for me in terms of securing another gig if I wanted to with such a long notice and overlapping of contracts. Do you think it's worth calling their bluff and standing my ground on pushing for 2 weeks if it has to come to that?

[eek]

All seems a very silly situation and raises complexities it really shouldn't. Have you spoken to the agent about why they are doing this and the like since?

Why? it seems a very logical situation for an agency / end client. With a 4 week notice period you tie your contractors up in a situation that makes it almost impossible for them to leave for another job.

With a 2 week notice period it's possible to find a new contract and the end client will (usually) wait for the 2 weeks notice to be served. Make it a month and few end clients will wait that long..

[Paralytic]

As other have said, there is absolutely no issue here. In fact, surely this is a good thing and (most likely) indicates that the client is happy with your service.

Signing this extension is no different to if your original contract had been for the longer period of time - but do check they've not changed any other wording.

You could consider using this as an opportunity to ask for a slight hike in your day rate...

[WTFH]

I don't see any issue, but what I do see is a company who realise that the holiday season is coming soon. Their option is to sort something early, or else it's going to be the last week of your contract before they can get things done.
Do it early, then it's done.

[northernladuk]

Why? it seems a very logical situation for an agency / end client. With a 4 week notice period you tie your contractors up in a situation that makes it almost impossible for them to leave for another job.

Logical for their games when the client isn't aware and it ties the contractor in when there isn't really anything as yet. So just another silly agent game that suits no one but them.

[Tractor Trace]

Thanks for all the comments, however does anyone know whether if I were to agree to the extension starting in January '22 and then decide I don't want end the current contract early e.g give notice in December '21, whether I would still be legally bound to start the contract extension and then have to give 1 month's notice from January?

[eek]

Thanks for all the comments, however does anyone know whether if I were to agree to the extension starting in January '22 and then decide I don't want end the current contract early e.g give notice in December '21, whether I would still be legally bound to start the contract extension and then have to give 1 month's notice from January?

Yep - the entire point is to force you to have to give a months notice.

However Christmas is coming and with that 2 weeks downtime that won't be in the contract. So you can start in about 2 weeks to try and find something for an early January start (likely start date January 10th).

[WTFH]

Thanks for all the comments, however does anyone know whether if I were to agree to the extension starting in January '22 and then decide I don't want end the current contract early e.g give notice in December '21, whether I would still be legally bound to start the contract extension and then have to give 1 month's notice from January?

A few questions:
1. Are you actively looking for another contract elsewhere?
2. Have you been offered another contract elsewhere?
3. Is the thing you are being offered a new contract or a contract extension?
4. What are the exit terms of it?

[eek]

A few questions:
1. Are you actively looking for another contract elsewhere?
2. Have you been offered another contract elsewhere?
3. Is the thing you are being offered a new contract or a contract extension?
4. What are the exit terms of it?

You could just read the OP's first post - as that answers all those questions.