Contract effort levels increasing beyond remit

[inferno]

Hello all

My contract has been extended which is great but I have been doing more tasks which were beyond what was expected from me at the start, and now have even more responsibilities to deal with. I don't necessarily mind this but I don't want to feel like I'm being taken for a ride as my rate hasn't increases in line with increased levels of effort. What would you do? Do nothing or ask for more £££?

Thanks

[GillsMan]

Hello all

My contract has been extended which is great but I have been doing more tasks which were beyond what was expected from me at the start, and now have even more responsibilities to deal with. I don't necessarily mind this but I don't want to feel like I'm being taken for a ride as my rate hasn't increases in line with increased levels of effort. What would you do? Do nothing or ask for more £££?

Thanks

It completely depends on what the circumstances are. I've been at Clientco since May and am about to agree a new contract with them starting in January. Each contract has pertained to a different project (broadly speaking; there has been some crossover) and each time it's ended with more responsibility. The rate has been the same and I don't intend to ask for a rate increase this time round either.

First project I was developing. Second, I was conducting proof of concept reviews of LMS systems and leading the procurement process. Third one I'll be Project Managing the implementation of the LMS and co-ordinating, etc, and so on.

More responsibility, same rate, but it adds to my CV and makes me a more valuable commodity in the long run.

So just getting more responsibility at the same rate doesn't in itself mean you're being ripped off - there are other factors that could determine that.

[yorkshireman]

There is no hard and fast rule here. Are you contracting through an agency or direct with the client?

If the change in responsibility has been significant and you handle the negotiation professionally then the worst that can happen is that they say no. I very much doubt if you would lose the extension just for asking.

If they say no then it depends on how much in demand you feel your skills are in the market as to whether you decide to leave. I suspect the previous poster's comments about additional responsibility building your CV should outweigh the feeling of being "taken for a ride" in the current market.

[mavster07]

Agreed. Its not always about the money. Being continually contracted is what you should aim for but also you should weigh up the additional experience / new skills gained against asking for an increase. Often budgets are such that they don't increase over time and so bumping your rate up doesn't serve you any good except to highlight a bit of a money grab, which might suggest you're a contractor that is only after the money and not there to help your client.

[inferno]

Thanks, helpful and insightful advice there, for a newbie!

I really get the experience/rate freeze idea, and you're right I wouldn't push it.

Cheers

[GillsMan]

Thanks, helpful and insightful advice there, for a newbie!

I really get the experience/rate freeze idea, and you're right I wouldn't push it.

Cheers

That said, you should know what the market rate for your position is and ensure you're not paid well below it.

[swamp]

Take some time off the contract. They'll have to palm your work on to someone else, and they'll probably keep the responsibilities when you get back. You'll also cope better with work after a short break.

[monobrow]

Hello all

My contract has been extended which is great but I have been doing more tasks which were beyond what was expected from me at the start, and now have even more responsibilities to deal with. I don't necessarily mind this but I don't want to feel like I'm being taken for a ride as my rate hasn't increases in line with increased levels of effort. What would you do? Do nothing or ask for more £££?

Thanks

Have you ever been in a job or contract where you werent utilised 100%, or that you felt you were overpaid for the complexity of the job / was so easy you could do it blindfolded?

and in that case, did you offer to reduce your hours or reduce your rate to compensate?

no?, didn't think so... swings 'n roundabouts my man! suck it up and speak again at renewal is my advice.

[d000hg]

Hello all

My contract has been extended which is great but I have been doing more tasks which were beyond what was expected from me at the start, and now have even more responsibilities to deal with. I don't necessarily mind this but I don't want to feel like I'm being taken for a ride as my rate hasn't increases in line with increased levels of effort. What would you do? Do nothing or ask for more £££?

Thanks

Well, are you doing more work or simply different work?
Is the rate for the extra things you're doing higher or lower than your original work?

There's no guarantee you can justify more money for a wider spread of work areas... say I am hired as a PM but end up also doing some coding. If they hire PMs at £400/day and coders at £300/day, how do I justify a higher rate?
You could argue it on how important/indispensable you have become, but then they might say "we don't want to be dependent on contractors, go permie"