Rejecting a renewal.

[shelby68]

Hi all,

I've been offered a renewal with my current company, which I haven't said I will take but intimated I probably would, I'm not sure that I now want to take it.

I've only got 2 weeks to run on my current contract and I'm looking for something else. Would this be considered unprofessional to now reject the renewal and take something else?

Basically my manager has told me I will be expected to do a “professional day” which he counts as upto 10 hours for no overtime and to be honest the project is a pain in the arse as well.

My contract states 7.5 hour days with overtime pro rate, do you think this is enough grounds to reject the extension at 2 weeks notice without blotting my copybook?

[NotAllThere]

Your manager's expectations are unprofessional. Professionalism is providing the customer with services according to the contract. You are under no obligation to renew, morally or professionally.

Tell the manager you'll only renew if he honours the contract.

[Cowboy Bob]

Reject it for any reason you like. Until you sign your name on the extension documents, you have no professional, legal or moral obligation to stay.

BTW - I'd tell your manager to shove his 10 hours up his @rse.

[shelby68]

Thanks all,

Thats exactly what I wanted to hear.

[NotAllThere]

That's

[chicane]

Last time I rejected a renewal, I thought it best to lay down a case for my business. The current client was offering 1 month at the current rate, whereas I had an offer elsewhere for 3 months at a significantly higher rate. I told them it was not in the interests of my business to stay with them, although did offer various alternatives such as working from home and/or high rate etc, which they chose not to take up.

There's no point in telling them where to go - satisfying as it might be. It's a small world and you never know when you might need them again.

Also, before rejecting them outright, you might want to find another gig. Being in a poor gig with cash coming must be better than weeks of no-income uncertainty on the bench.

[lukemg]

Make it their choice. There will be a price at which you will be happy working the 10 hours required. Indicate that the working hours are somewhat different to those described in the contract but you are happy to adapt to these for a professional day rate of x.
Do this through the agent, offer no compromise, leave it unsaid that you will leave if these conditions aren't met. They will either agree to this or more likely finish you, either way you win. You are prepared to leave, this gives you a position of strength from which to negotiate.
Trust me - you can do 3 months virtually anywhere if the rate is right.

[shelby68]

Thanks for the advice, I’ve spoken to the agency and they fell about laughing when I mentioned the 10 hour days.

I also mentioned that if the rate reflected the 10 hours then no problem; basically they said not to worry about it and they are going to speak to the guy and put him right.

Could probably see the extra profit going down the drain from the extra hours I've already been doing.

[wendigo100]

I agree with Chicane though - don't burn bridges.

By the way, it's all very well getting extra remuneration for 10-hour days, but do you actually want to do them? It will be expected of you.

[DimPrawn]

I can't believe some clients expect you to work only 10 hours a day. We're not part-timers you know!

Whatever next, "don't come in on weekends and bank holidays"!