Rate Reductions

[Sausage Surprise]

April 2009 30% cut at BT. Took me a month to find a new one, then walked...

[monkeyrhythm]

Cheers for the input; I'm not going to take a 20% reduction up the ar*e but may negotiate a smaller one - I'd ideally like to keep the contract and my current rate's not bad....

[AnthonyQuinn]

Cheers for the input; I'm not going to take a 20% reduction up the ar*e but may negotiate a smaller one - I'd ideally like to keep the contract and my current rate's not bad....

There is only one thing to consider

1. can you get a better rate anywhere else? The answer to that should help you decide. Dont be confused by anything else?

[swamp]

Once bent over and agreed a 5% rate cut on renewal that the client 'suggested'. They cocked it up and I got my full rate anyhow

Meanwhile one chap outright refused his 5% reduction, even to the point where the client was asking for a £1 reduction on his day rate. He stood firm and got his way! This taught me some lessons.

1. Always resist rate reductions. Set yourself apart, have a quiet word with the boss, be the 'special' one. Sod friends and colleagues!

2. Frame rate reductions in £ not %. £75 sounds a lot more than 15%.

3. Remember that every £5 lost or gained on your day rate is over £1100 per annum.

4. Always have an implicit threat of walking, but don't actually ever walk.

5. Turn up late in a smart suit one morning, for no reason.

6. Everything is business. Don't take things personally.

[CheeseSlice]

5. Turn up late in a smart suit one morning, for no reason.

interview outfit right? Doesn't work if you work in the city though.... pin-stripes every day

[doodab]

4. Always have an implicit threat of walking, but don't actually ever walk.

Unless you have something to walk into of course. I was offered a 30% rate cut once, I found something else that was only 20% down on what I had been getting so I walked. Even when the client took me aside and said "well, you don't really have to take the cut". **** em, it was worth it IMO.

[shoes]

Unless you have something to walk into of course. I was offered a 30% rate cut once, I found something else that was only 20% down on what I had been getting so I walked. Even when the client took me aside and said "well, you don't really have to take the cut". **** em, it was worth it IMO.

Funniest thing I've read in ages

[gadgetman]

Managed to get a 10% increase on the last contract and another 22% jump when I moved to current gig.

As others have said if I was forced to take a cut I'd hold my tongue and start looking immediately. Not a problem over here right now but I know just finding a gig is more of an issue over there in a lot of markets.

[Saddo]

....and start looking immediately

That only works if you have a termination clause on your side of the contract. That isn't always the case.

Not having a termination clause can look good from an IR35 point of view - you'd never have an employee stitched into something they couldn't get out of.

[BolshieBastard]

Mid contract? That's a bit rude isn't it. I presume that means we're free to go job hunting mid contract and demand rate increases in the good times.

Yep, sounds like a barcrap tactic. Did this when I was working at Rabroke Hall in Knutsford. 4 weeks into a new contract when I was told at extension negotiations that there wouldnt be one where I was working. Told them I'd negotiate at the next renewal but not seeing as we'd just negotiated the renewal.

Spring wouldnt do anything so I told them to shove it.

Wont ever work for Barcrap again the bunch of *unts and my regular agents know not to contact me with any roles from them.