Terminating contract

[MobileContractor]

Hello

I'm in a contract until 31st December 2010. Currently there is no budget to extend beyond this.

I've now been head hunted by a company where I was a permie. They're offering an initial 6 month contract and a higher hourly rate, downside is that they're further away, so higher travelling costs.

My questions are:
Is it bad form to terminate a contract?
Would it 'burn bridges'?
Does returning to a previous employer look good on a CV?

I'm very tempted by the longer contract that gets me over the quiet December/January recruiting period. Plus experience as a permie showed that contractors were kept much longer than 6 months.

Thanks
Mobile Contractor

[SueEllen]

Use your right of substitution.

Advertise for someone suitable to take the contract you have now.

[thunderlizard]

I've now been head hunted by a company where I was a permie

That doesn't sound like much of a hunt. "Head-remembered" maybe.

Is it bad form to terminate a contract?

Yes

Would it 'burn bridges'?

Yes, but while simultaneously constructing a different bridge.

Does returning to a previous employer look good on a CV?

Yes - it shows a degree of loyalty towards your customers (fake in this case), and that you leave a positive lasting impression on them (true in this case).

[CheeseSlice]

I'd disagree that terminating a contract was always a bad thing.

If the contract is project based and that project finishes in December then I would agree and say you should finish the job. This is especially important if leaving now is likely to cost the clientco extra in hiring a replacement and/or delaying the project.

If the contract is 'role' based where you are either not associated with any particular project or you are involved in ongoing work, then this is more like leaving a permie job. This only works if you have a termination clause that you can invoke, otherwise you will have to get it sanctioned with the clientco and agency to make sure you are on the right side of the law.

[ItsQuickerAntiClockwise]

Hello

I'm in a contract until 31st December 2010. Currently there is no budget to extend beyond this.

I've now been head hunted by a company where I was a permie. They're offering an initial 6 month contract and a higher hourly rate, downside is that they're further away, so higher travelling costs.

I love when people say 'head hunted'. Im sure it makes them feel all special and warm inside. Like youre the only man for the job lol.

[northernladuk]

Where it may not always be bad form to ditch a current client (which personally I wouldn't do unless it is a huge rate rise or some other noteable benefit), to get in to the mind set of chasing rates and contract lengths to suit you can lead to some very bad habits and lose sight of the bigger picture. Once, maybe twice maybe acceptable but make this a habit and it will come back and bite you very hard. If you are willing to ditch your current client for a higher rate but further from home, how long before you consider ditching this one for same rate but close to home. It is a fine line.

[MarillionFan]

Firstly you need to ensure that the perm offer is concrete and you have a written offer.

It would be unfortunate to delay starting with your new company, only to discover that in Jan they have offered it to someone else or it has gone away.

Decide what is best for you.

There is nothing wrong with terminating a contract early. It happens the other way all the time and I for one have never had a compunction to not terminate(though in practice I rarely do).

[northernladuk]

Firstly you need to ensure that the perm offer is concrete and you have a written offer.

What perm offer? Numpty

[MarillionFan]

What perm offer? Numpty

Ok. I read that as he had a six month contract then to perm offer. I must be getting desperate seeing perm offers everywhere.

Gis us a job. I can do that. :

[BolshieBastard]

I love when people say 'head hunted'. Im sure it makes them feel all special and warm inside. Like youre the only man for the job lol.

Totally agree. Even has exceptionally strong overtones of permie-ism about it!