Jump Ship, Lose Integrity? Help!

**cojak** · 10 March 2011, 06:51

It's considered bad form to leave your contract mid-term, however no problem leaving at the end. I tend to stay for the length of a project but if I don't think the project is going anywhere or someone makes me a better offer I'll leave.

If the existing client needed you to stay they should have given you a longer length contract.

It might scupper you chance to work with the client again but I wouldnt worry about that, business is business.

**Murder1** · 10 March 2011, 08:09

Originally posted by thebdj View Post

My dilemma is about the integrity of my Limited Company and myself. If i leave after my 3 month assignment (bearing in mind I think there is a high likelihood that the expectation is that I would continue to roll with the contract), would this be frowned upon?

Your integrity isn't called into question, you were offered and signed a 3 month contract and you worked a 3 month contract.

**VectraMan** · 10 March 2011, 08:39

WTS. Your only obligation is for 3 months; neither you or the client should have any expectation of you continuing, even though of course contractors often do.

Leaving mid contract is different, but we are contractors. We don't have to accept work that's offered in theory, and you should look out for your own interests first. Just be sure the ship you're jumping to is as secure as you think. It'd be a shame to burn one bridge by leaving a contract unfinished to then discover your new contract gets cancelled after a couple of weeks. 12 months isn't a guarantee.

**ChimpMaster** · 10 March 2011, 09:16

It's great that a potential client is willing to wait 3 months for you. And I agree with the CUKers above that there's no issue in leaving after your 3 month contract is up - professionally I would at least tell your current client a few weeks in advance, so as to not leave them exposed.

I would however warn you that a contract offer today != a contract offer in 3 months. That's a long time for anyone to wait, so don't bet on it still being there in 3 months' time.

**nomadd** · 10 March 2011, 09:16

Originally posted by VectraMan View Post

...look out for your own interests first. Just be sure the ship you're jumping to is as secure as you think. It'd be a shame to burn one bridge by leaving a contract unfinished to then discover your new contract gets cancelled after a couple of weeks. 12 months isn't a guarantee.

This^

Still, if the other role is better, far longer, pays more, and let's you spend more time with your family as you said, then I for one wouldn't hesitate to go for it. Just make sure the project you are going onto has the budget, etc., all signed off for the year.

**northernladuk** · 10 March 2011, 09:20

You are not jumping ship if you stay the three months. You were asked to do 3 months, you did 3 months. Happy days. If they offer you more work you say sorry no can do and off you go. Very professional, very clean and no problems with integrity.

With my devils advocate hat on, a company wanting to prise you away and then wait for you to offer you a better 12 month contract does not sound the norm to me and I would look in to that situation in more detail.

Are they a big company? do they use contractors and understand them already? be honest with youself and ask are you really that good that they are willing to wait for you rather than take someone else on, has no one else on the bench got your experience?... honestly? What is the notice period? 12 month contract is only as long as they have work for you or the notice period, dont be fooled, you could be out in three. What are the working conditions like. 12 months isn't an IR35 factor in itself but it sets my alarm bells going.

It sounds too good to be true and often this is the case it is. Work day by day, don't get all dreamey about high paid 12 monthers until the contract is signed and you are sat at the desk. You are just going to be dissapointed if you get your expectations up too high.

Sorry if you know all this and am telling you how to suck eggs but these are common mistakes the new guys make (I did!)

**Old Greg** · 10 March 2011, 09:42

WTS

You are showing yourself to the potential new client to be a decent person by seeing out your contractual obligations, and it sounds like they appreciate it. If you really want to push the decency boat out, get a contract to start with the new client, and when the contract is signed, and when you're perhaps 3 weeks out, let your current client know you won't be renewing to give them time to find a replacement and hand over. Others with more experience may disagree and think that there's a view that you will be asked to clear your desk. Not my expereince but I don't work in that kind of sector. Happy to be gainsaid on this.

There is a view that integrity is for permies but it's nice to see a good crowd out in this thread.

**2BIT** · 10 March 2011, 10:02

Originally posted by thebdj View Post

I have an interesting scenario.

I have recently started a 3 month IT contract. This is my first outing into the world of contracting so naturally I am very keen to make an impression and a name for both myself and my Limited Company. The rate I have for the role is very good and the work itself doesn't appear to be too bad either.

However I have another company looking to offer me a 12 month contract on pretty much the same rate (higher by like £5/day) and are extremely keen to prise me away. After already telling them I wouldn't consider leaving the company I am with until at least my first 3 months are up, they have come back and said they would hold out for me. The work at this role is considerably more interesting and should be of a great deal more worth to my CV technically. There is also likely to be a great deal more flexibility in the role that may also allow me to spend more time with my family.

My dilemma is about the integrity of my Limited Company and myself. If i leave after my 3 month assignment (bearing in mind I think there is a high likelihood that the expectation is that I would continue to roll with the contract), would this be frowned upon? Is this likely to scupper me working for this company again and would it also damage my reputation inside the business sector? I do not want to do long-term damage for what could essentially be a short-term (12 month) gain.

Penny for your thoughts ....

WCS, you sound like you are in a very good position, and any company worth dealing with will recognise your status as a business and respect you for acting like one, your main is whether an extra fiver a day is worth any extra travel you'd have to do and a potentially worse working environment

**GillsMan** · 10 March 2011, 10:06

Agree with everyone, and I have to say I expected this to be a thread about someone who wants to leave mid-contract, which as others have said, is bad form.

At my current client co, I will have had just over a year by the time this latest renewal (my last one here) comes to an end. In between, I've had renewals, but always wanted to stay until the completion of the project. In my personal situation, I think it probably would have been bad form not to accept a renewal, as I know it would have left the client short, no matter how much notice they've given me. But this is my first contract, and I'm happy to keep renewing to complete the projects.

If, at the end of this latest contract, they offer me another renewal to work on a different project (unlikely), I wouldn't feel bad about turnning it down at all as I'd have seen out my contract and completed the project, which are important IMO.

Jump Ship, Lose Integrity? Help!