Curious one, don't know how this will pan out

[dang65]

I've been on my current contract for over a year. I was only expecting a few months originally, so it's been an unexpected moneyspinner. The last few renewals have been last minute, one month at a time jobs. Not a problem, I'm used to that sort of thing. It's a good rate anyway, and will hopefully look good on my CV when the app is launched.

Anyway, coming up to the end of October renewal now, and the agent routinely contacts the client's HR who reply, "No renewal this time, thanks, bye". Well, that's fine by me, but I was surprised that the team manager here hadn't said anything. Went for a quick chat with him... and he was completely unaware, had been expecting me and another contractor (who has also been told no renewal) to both continue. He has loads of work coming up for future releases after initial launch etc. He's going to find out what's going on.

But the thing is that my agency can't chase on my behalf because they've already been given an offical "No". As this is a large and important client for them they are hardly going to go back and say, "Are you sure? Because the contractor thinks he's being kept on." The team manager may have no say in the matter, or he may be able to get the decision changed, I don't know.

Leaves me in an odd situation where I know there is loads of work and they "need" me to do it, but the HR budget watchers can presumably just pull the plug anyway (and have done, as things stand).

Got another week till end of October. Not really sure whether to write this one off and immediately launch into hunt for new contract, or just bide my time in the assumption that I'll eventually be renewed anyway. Not been in this situation before. Anyone else known this kind of scenario? What happened in the end?

[thunderlizard]

The team manager may have no say in the matter, or he may be able to get the decision changed, I don't know.

Find out, using the technique of asking. Better, ask the team manager if he'd like you to sort it out for him, then track back through their organisation and find out how to get things running again.

[Jeebo72]

Start looking. If you get something lined up, go back to the manager and say you have an offer on the table, so you need to know now...

Everything will click into place at that point. If they really need / want you, they will sort it out asap. But don't go on idile promises, get a contract on the table.

Been there before, don't wait around.

J

[singhr]

Have been in this situ myself, usually in large organisation where left hand doesnt know what right hand is doing. In my case the agent could do nothing, so it's up to you to oil the machine and get the cogs turning (although leaving things to the last day gives you a lot of leverage when it comes to improving your terms) - good luck.

[dang65]

Hmm, is one of these giant corporation places unfortunately. It's not like the team manager can just phone Dave in HR and give him an earful. There are processes and procedures, there are sign-offs and internal systems for posting renewal requests, and there are purchase orders.

What's different this time is that HR, in a distant office at the top of a tower, have instantly said, "No renewal" without even saying, "Hang on, we'll find out" and giving the development team a call. Nothing.

To be honest, I've done all I can by informing the manager and the agency of the situation, and obviously I'll keep asking for updates. I was just wondering if others had been in this position before and how things had worked out in the end.

[northernladuk]

Where is the funny situation? This is just standard business. There is plenty of work on the ground, manager wants you etc. The senior guys and bean counters trying to make budgets fit for shareholders and execs. You are messing their system up or bucking the policy of no contractor renewals. Your manager has to put a good business case up for renewal and they must consider its merits and approve or deny.

What's odd about that?

If the man with the purse says no so until you hear otherwise it's no. Everyone up to god might want you back but if they aren't going to pay it isn't going to happen is it.

Risk is up to you, but bearing in mind people are finding the market a bit flat I would expect you to have started searching many moons ago to cover your own ass.

You don't mention the overall time you have been there but if it's coming up to 2 years your going to want to move for IR35 and expense claiming anyway aren't you?

[dang65]

Where is the funny situation?

Yes, I've known the situation with bean counters turning down operational managers, obviously. The funny situation is that a) the manager had no idea that there might be an issue and HR just communicated directly to the agencies and b) that the agency can't get involved in negotiations here (i.e. provide the service which earns them their commission) as they've been told "No". Well, that makes it unusual for me anyway.

I've only just gone over one year, so not too worried about IR35 and that. I don't have a problem with being dumped either, but it's a good contract and there is plenty of work, so I'd be daft to just walk away while there is still a reasonably strong chance that there will be a renewal once the operational people start making a fuss.

How did things pan out on the many occasions that this has happened to you?

[singhr]

How about just rocking up on Monday after you 'finish', see if your pass gets you through the door etc. do a weeks work and see if they sign your timesheet - if so carry on billing!

[Clarky]

Do you happen to work for a large British Telco provider by chance? Had the same thing happen over and over, yet I'm still here... ok, been passed from pillar to post in terms of agencies and software suppliers who could do PS on the PSL, but I'm still getting paid and got a few rises out of it along the way!

But like the others say, try get something else lined up... your manager might have his hands tied behind his back on this one...

[NickFitz]

Leave on Friday, see the gig advertised on Jobserve on Monday, interview Tuesday, start again - at higher rate to make up for the inconvenience - on Wednesday.