Going To Reject Contract Re-Newal

[cojak]

No amount of money is worth being ill for. I know from experience that is true. Good luck.

WHS.

Take care of yourself 1st - you're your company's most important asset after all...

[vetran]

Advantage Bloggs.

You have enough of a war chest to play hardball. They want you, if they have to get a replacement then it will take much more than three months to finish the project.

1. Sit down with the missus and tell her why you are taking the stance and how worried you are about what it has been doing to your relationship, gives her a chance to feel your pain and forgive you. Much better than bottling it up, sharing the decision means she will understand why you didn't renew if/when the war chest runs out.

If you are moody, stop it! Seriously take time out, remind yourself why you work by spending time with the wife & kids. Book the missus in for a naughty weekend, go get lathered with the boys and take the family to Disney etc. All can be done at weekends even if you can't get the break.

2. Talk to the client and explain you are exhausted and not performing your best, it just wouldn't be professional to charge them for substandard work you need to do it right. So you have decided to take some time, you can both make sure your work is delegated / completed / moved so the critical path isn't affected.

If you can't do the work sensibly in the time then tell them you need six months to complete. Don't do over 40 hours you will kill yourself somehow. If there is a hard deadline then it may be more difficult but achievable somehow.

3. Send the contract back to the agent to start in 2 weeks with a 1 week break mid contract. Take it or leave it.

The agent will push you till you die, they don't care (mostly) they just need the continous revenue stream. The client will be on your side, you have been honest with them.

Worst case they don't renew, best case they roll over and extend with your conditions. You are currently an easy mark for the agent and client, but they need you more than you need them. You aren't being unprofessional, just sensible, you will be no good to them with a coronary.

It works by the way, I have done it as have a couple of other contractors I know.

[TykeMerc]

You have enough of a war chest to play hardball. They want you, if they have to get a replacement then it will take much more than three months to finish the project.

1. Sit down with the missus and tell her why you are taking the stance and how worried you are about what it has been doing to your relationship, gives her a chance to feel your pain and forgive you. Much better than bottling it up, sharing the decision means she will understand why you didn't renew if/when the war chest runs out.

If you are moody, stop it! Seriously take time out, remind yourself why you work by spending time with the wife & kids. Book the missus in for a naughty weekend, go get lathered with the boys and take the family to Disney etc. All can be done at weekends even if you can't get the break.

2. Talk to the client and explain you are exhausted and not performing your best, it just wouldn't be professional to charge them for substandard work you need to do it right. So you have decided to take some time, you can both make sure your work is delegated / completed / moved so the critical path isn't affected.

If you can't do the work sensibly in the time then tell them you need six months to complete. Don't do over 40 hours you will kill yourself somehow. If there is a hard deadline then it may be more difficult but achievable somehow.

3. Send the contract back to the agent to start in 2 weeks with a 1 week break mid contract. Take it or leave it.

The agent will push you till you die, they don't care (mostly) they just need the continous revenue stream. The client will be on your side, you have been honest with them.

Worst case they don't renew, best case they roll over and extend with your conditions. You are currently an easy mark for the agent and client, but they need you more than you need them. You aren't being unprofessional, just sensible, you will be no good to them with a coronary.

It works by the way, I have done it as have a couple of other contractors I know.

Rational negotiation and in your situation you lose absolutely nothing by trying.

[Fred Bloggs]

Rational negotiation and in your situation you lose absolutely nothing by trying.

Good advice.

Advantage Bloggs.

[Tensai]

...you will be no good to them with a coronary.

... unless you've fininshed the project first, at which point they won't give a flying foo-bar

[kaiser78]

Thanks for everyone's comments and offering both points of view to stay or go.

Have decided not to re-new the contract and feel relieved with this decision now, confident this is the right decision.

Again thanks for your inputs.

[GCR99]

It really comes down to what YOU want to do doesn't it?

I've only worked 12 days this year, so I would say WORK while you can!

It's all about the work/life balance..... it's difficult to get it right whether you are a contractor or a permie!!

Perhaps you should be asking those close to you rather than us lot?

Whatever you choose, I hope you feel better for it.
Good luck.

Gazzer! is that really U? this is the other shop steward from TEL

[DiscoStu]

Gazzer! is that really U? this is the other shop steward from TEL

You're in a union? Burn him

[Ivor Bigun]

Thanks for everyone's comments and offering both points of view to stay or go.

Have decided not to re-new the contract and feel relieved with this decision now, confident this is the right decision.

Again thanks for your inputs.

Kaiser, I read your earlier thread about renewing this gig. Reckon you've been burning yourself out in the field - Not good.

Time to get "real". The best way? DIY and Exercise.
Make your wife pleased by doing things to make her home better.
Mow the lawn, paint a room or sort out the garage.

Whatever you do, make an improvement to you and your wife's environment.
The exercise will do you good and the result of your work will refresh your belief in yourself.
Don't let the oncoming self doubt swamp you and steal a few weeks. As soon as you're free, start straight away.

The "rest" idea will only keep you miserable. Get back on track and you'll feel fine and you'll laugh about it one day. You'll think "what a good idea that was" etc.

[weboo]

Your health is your wealth, so go with what you feel is right. Everyones circumstances are different. Some have had no work all year, others are lucky to be in work still - so you received very mixed comments (namby pamby get on with it, health is mroe important etc etc)

Do you have any substitution clauses in your contract? As you could simply renew and recruit someone else to do the last month for you - at the same time giving your support when needed on phone/email etc etc.

You get a cut of the rate and at least not totally stitching up the client. You certainly wouldnt feel any worse cos you'll know better than them who can do the job etc

Just an idea