Quitting a contract - implications

[GregRickshaw]

They don't have to sign your timesheets though and that is what matters.

What?! The OP asked about leaving gracefully I merely said if they give notice and work their notice then the client can't and won't do anything, that's what contracts are signed for so both parties agree the notice period being one of the clauses.

Again I was telling the OP if they leave gracefully.

What are you guys reading?

[northernladuk]

Not once in 23 years has an agent ever even come close to that with me. In fact a couple of times they've helped me quit even though going with another agent. I usually get asked how long my new contract is and if it's ok for them to call near the end if they have suitable stuff on their books.

Same but more than enough posts on here about it to be aware it can happen.

[northernladuk]

What?! The OP asked about leaving gracefully I merely said if they give notice and work their notice then the client can't and won't do anything, that's what contracts are signed for so both parties agree the notice period being one of the clauses.

Again I was telling the OP if they leave gracefully.

What are you guys reading?

I think myself and TheDude have picked up on this point 'The client has to honour your notice period as being the end date,' specifically rather than the whole context so could be us taking a single point out of context.

I read in to that if the contractor gives notice the client has to honour the contractual notice period, which in theory they don't but as you say they will as part of a graceful exit.

[BlackCountryContractor]

Hi,

I've always wondered what would be the potential implications of leaving a contract early.

Aside from an obvious potentially strained relationship:

- Is it all good as long as the notice period is respected?
- Can the client take legal actions if I leave before the end date?
- How to exit gracefully?


I've never considered it, but I'm suspecting some personal life duties might take me out of work in the future, before the end date of my contract.

On the endpoint of exiting gracefully I would add keeping your mouth firmly bolted shut helps, no point in trying to burn down the work place (metaphorically speaking) if you have disagreements with the end client or the work and trying to shout out about it to everyone.

[SussexSeagull]

Legally they have to honour your notice period. However legally they don't have to offer you any work during it.

[Gibbon]

Same but more than enough posts on here about it to be aware it can happen.

Probably more likely with second tier agencies, had a very irate girl once from a bottom feeder agency that kept pushing out the start date. I took another contract and yes the same afternoon she was on the phone saying I could start on Monday. The air did turn blue, but it wasn't sex talk .

[NotAllThere]

The agents are approaching sub human and will probably be very angry if you breach and will threaten with legal action, hold your money and all sorts. Ignore them, they won't take it any further.

And as soon as they think they can make money out of you all is forgiven.

They don't have to sign your timesheets though and that is what matters.

It's not all that matters, it just makes things possibly more difficult. You can't not pay someone for work done just because they're in breach of contract. If you do, you leave yourself open to being sued for non-payment. Saying "oh, but they were in breach of contract" isn't a legal argument.

[TheDude]

And as soon as they think they can make money out of you all is forgiven.

It's not all that matters, it just makes things possibly more difficult. You can't not pay someone for work done just because they're in breach of contract. If you do, you leave yourself open to being sued for non-payment. Saying "oh, but they were in breach of contract" isn't a legal argument.

It matters if you are relying on the money you think you will earn during a notice period. The client is not obliged to offer work so there may not be any timesheets to submit/sign.

[northernladuk]

And as soon as they think they can make money out of you all is forgiven.

A very good point.

It's not all that matters, it just makes things possibly more difficult. You can't not pay someone for work done just because they're in breach of contract. If you do, you leave yourself open to being sued for non-payment. Saying "oh, but they were in breach of contract" isn't a legal argument.

Legally you can't but possession is 9/10ths the law and the process to get it back can be more expensive than the monies owed. Agents will be fully aware of this so it's wise to understand the worst case situation when something like this occurs. You are absolutely right legally but reality can be anything between getting your money no probs, through dunning and a lot of threats right through to never seeing your money again and there is nothing you can do.
Just good to understand exactly what could happen when situations like this occur.

Bottom line is though, it does happen but thankfully very rarely.

[avonleigh]

Notice periods are worthless. I handed my notice in once as didn't agree with their work practices. Planned on working out my 4 week notice. Had my contract terminated straight after. Will never ever give notice in future for that reason.