giving notice part through a contract

[luke warm]

I've found a more attractive gig and am sick of the current place.
My contract runs for another 4 months and I'm on a 1 month notice period.

Is it bad form to drop out of a contract?
Do clients black ball people or is it all in a days business?
I doubt I'll want to come back here but don't really like burning bridges...

[NotAllThere]

I've found a more attractive gig and am sick of the current place.
My contract runs for another 4 months and I'm on a 1 month notice period.

Is it bad form to drop out of a contract?
Do clients black ball people or is it all in a days business?
I doubt I'll want to come back here but don't really like burning bridges...

To both questions: maybe. It depends on whether you're dropping the client in it or whether they'd be happy for you to leave early.

[BA to the Stars]

1) Yes
2) Possibly

Also if you are through an agency, they may think twice about using you again.

[Badger]

Couldn't you get a substitute to complete the remaining 4 mths, i.e. sub-contract it out and take a cut of the daily rate??

[BrilloPad]

I've found a more attractive gig and am sick of the current place.
My contract runs for another 4 months and I'm on a 1 month notice period.

Is it bad form to drop out of a contract?
Do clients black ball people or is it all in a days business?
I doubt I'll want to come back here but don't really like burning bridges...

I have dropped out before and been invited back - once I was told "what took you so long to leave - are you a glutton for punishment". It all depends on the Client's perspective.

[ChimpMaster]

There is no such thing as black balling in this industry. If a client needs you they will pay for you. If the agency can place you, they will place you so that they get their cut. It's business.

You might p*ss off a few oddballs here and there, but look after yourself first. Be professional, speak to the client and arrange a mutually satisfactory leaving date and handover process. And don't forget the leaving drinks otherwise you'll be labelled a tight coont forever.

[kali]

I had to drop out of previous contract early for personal reasons (not for a better gig) but I made sure I sat down with my contact on site and explained what was happening. He was fine about it, told me I would always be welcome back in future if they had the work, and indeed some time later I actually had a call from them asking me if I was able to come back.

So as long as you manage the situation well and keep people well informed it should be ok.

[Sausage Surprise]

Just be straight with the client and agency and don't "go sick" or just disappear.

[NickNick]

Also if you are through an agency, they may think twice about using you again.

Only for the next day or two, then they will ahve forgotten all about it.

[al_cam]

It's a small world so if you p1ss people off then it will come back to bite you later - hiring managers may see you worked for company X and call a friend at company X to find out about you.

What do you do? I'm a PM and if I don't complete the project then that looks bad so will always stick it out, but if you are one of many on a helpdesk or somesuch then it probably isn't an issue.

Finally, you'll probably find that the new place is just as carp after a while so unless the money, commute or experience is vastly better then I would stick it out and retain your integrity.