Going To Reject Contract Re-Newal

[BrilloPad]

What sort of war chest do you have?

Luckily I have funds to last me for up to 2 years, which is a big influence in my decision thinking.

Thanks for the comments and for enabling me to see both sides of the options. The problem if I do stay is that I won't be able to do as little as possible as suggested, as the it is a 100mph+ role at the moment (hence my dilema I guess...)

There is a chap who sits near me who goes to the bank. 3 times a day! for 30 minutes a time.

When you get stressed take off a few days as your grandma died : you do have 6 grandmas dont you?

I hate clientco and have done for last year. Mrs BP wants me to quit. I just keep taking the time off. Or make a point of beasting anyone who gives me too much work.

Part of being a contractor is being creative......

[Badger]

... and have been told I cannot have anymore holiday until I finish..

Huh! You are a contractor aren't you?

Agree to renew with a Start date of Jun 1.

[weemster]

If you can afford it then go for it but be prepared for a possible long stint
out of work. I have worked at some pretty miserable places where they pile pressure on and I can appreciate how bad this can sometimes make you feel, and no amount of cash will change it.

[jmo21]

What sort of war chest do you have?

Luckily I have funds to last me for up to 2 years, which is a big influence in my decision thinking.

Thanks for the comments and for enabling me to see both sides of the options. The problem if I do stay is that I won't be able to do as little as possible as suggested, as the it is a 100mph+ role at the moment (hence my dilema I guess...)

What kind of hours are you doing? standard contract hours, 9-5 or whatever, or more than that, plus working through your lunches etc like a permy?

tell them you want 2 weeks off and an increase in your rate, see what they say. and if they agree then work to contracted hours if you haven't been already.

[voodooflux]

As jmo21 suggests can you make the holiday a condition of your renewal? Knowing you have a holiday might make the 3 month stint a little easier to bear.

[TheBigD]

Why not either ask for a rate increase to compensate you for the extra hours they're demanding, or sign the extension but only work the agreed hours. If you're of the mindset that walking away is the best option, what have you got to lose?

[Ivor Bigun]

Only you know if its right or wrong for you.
However, FWIW - My 2p........

There is a downside though - see below in italics

......Various circumstances over the past 6-8 months on the contract have caused me to feel totally over worked/stressed, constantly tired, moody at home, which I feel is unfair on the family and a step too far for any contract role.

Very dangerous - few partners will take this long term - especially if your next contract is working away from home - To be avoided at all costs.

Also not had a holiday since last July (excl Xmas and Easter) and have been told I cannot have anymore holiday until I finish.

Should have said, that your family haven't had a holiday with you which they've enjoyed since last year - and probably since BEFORE last year. (Maybe you were too stressed to enjoy them?)

Anyway cutting a long story short I am going to tell my agency that I do not wish to re-new after this month...

Depending on how you look at it, a decision can be right or wrong.
Whatever one does, one has to make the best of it, not to regret a decision and look forward.
What's always wrong - is not being able to make a decision.

There are times in everyone's life, where you have to choose.
Quite often the chosen option is just to keep going - because you think its in the right direction. If however, this starts to affect you badly, you have to stop and think.
If all that you are doing is earning money to pay bills to maintain your lifestyle - and you hate what you have to do - your lifestyle doesn't mean jacksh*t.
Maybe, now's the time for you to look at your lifestyle and downsize?

[chris79]

2 options (and if it were me I'd go #2)....

1. Jack it in for the reasons you stated.

2. Stay with the contract, but start to stand up for yourself more and play hardball. Tell them you are unavailable for a week (give them say 4-5 weeks notice though), if they disagree let them invoke the termination clause.. its no different to you refusing the extension right? If they don't do this then you get what you need (much needed break), and carry on taking £xxx off them for the next 3 months. The way I would look at it is this, after 3 months you will never see or hear them again, so just start playing hardball.. it's a two way relationship, not a dictatorship.. sounds to me like you've submitted into allowing them to dictate to you and your only escape is to refuse an extension? Apply this hardball technique further into your daily workings too.. not just the holiday situation.

[KentPhilip]

2 options (and if it were me I'd go #2)....

1. Jack it in for the reasons you stated.

2. Stay with the contract, but start to stand up for yourself more and play hardball. Tell them you are unavailable for a week (give them say 4-5 weeks notice though), if they disagree let them invoke the termination clause.. its no different to you refusing the extension right? If they don't do this then you get what you need (much needed break), and carry on taking £xxx off them for the next 3 months. The way I would look at it is this, after 3 months you will never see or hear them again, so just start playing hardball.. it's a two way relationship, not a dictatorship.. sounds to me like you've submitted into allowing them to dictate to you and your only escape is to refuse an extension? Apply this hardball technique further into your daily workings too.. not just the holiday situation.

Or even start the renewal, and after 2 weeks go off-sick for 3 weeks. Say you have a foot infection (if they ask for a sick note say no.).
Then go back into the client site for a final 6 weeks of hell.

[Fred Bloggs]

Hmmmm. There's some good thoughts there.