Should I take renewal even if I don't want to stay...

[2BIT]

Firstly leaving a project is harder than leaving a support role as they are often heavily reliant on schedule- that's besides the point though

if they have got a weeks notice but you are not allowed to give notice then I would negotiate that, if you already have a weeks notice your side try and negotiate that down to a days notice - that way can carry on earning and if something better comes along you can leave

so don't worry about the moral but worry about the legal/professional and negotiate favourable terms for yourself.

[Stan.goodvibes]

Leaps in with his 2c worth...

My contract just came up for renewal and I was offered another year. I wasn't fussed about doing any more time at my current client and they declined my request for a rate increase so I was going to decline the offer and have a holiday and then start looking. However I was advised by my agent to just take the extension, then look for another contract (my dream contract) at my own pace without having any pressure of needing to find another contract quickly to keep the coffers full. This advice was also deemed wise by another friend of mine who is an agent.

I spoke to my manager and said that I wasn't happy with the lack of rate increase and even though I am accepting the extension it is... just quietly... unlikely that i will be here at the end of the year. She said 'fine, that makes sense'.

Have an interview this Friday... otherwise things are fine here still with original client. If I don't get the contract after Fridays interview, then I'm not worried. I don't as a rule bail midway thru a contract, but if like me you are doing piecemeal work and leaving isn't going to send your client co to the wall then do whats best for YOU.

I've never pissed off a client by leaving early, and never been on the bench either in 20-odd years.

To paraphrase Steve Miller - "woah take the extension and run, do do do..."

[SneakySimon]

Take it and run.........

In an uncertain market, I would always say take the extension then quit if you find something better to move on to.

Not particulary concerned about the client as have had previous contracts end suddenly when the funding drys up or the project changes - they don't take any hesitation on booting you out!

Only tricky is the agents always want you to be available immediatly, though I have yet to see any role turnaround between offer and start in less than 3 weeks (I am banking so the background checks take some time) so always give the agent a bit of BS about holiday etc.