Extension taking me over 2years

[Mr.Whippy]

Since your contract is with the agent, I suspect you're going to have a hard time convincing the client to 'extend' you for a lesser period and \ or give you a rate increase to cover the loss of travel and subsistence because of the 24 month rule.

Why do you think this is hard? I've been in this situation and got a shorter extension offer by explaining the situation to both client and agent. Although I really used the expenses thing as an excuse, I wasn't sure I even wanted to stay beyond 24 months anyway and they were offering me an 18 month contract (with no notice ) after I'd been there almost 18 months.

And even if you do, I suspect the agent probably wont wear it since they will be losing commission (and could potentially get you replaced with someone on a lower rate giving them more of their commission

Depending on the circumstances that is unlikely. If a client wants to extend you beyond 2 years it's because they know and trust you as you have a track record with them. Most wouldn't put up with an agent dropping you and replacing you with someone else just to increase their margin.

[Wanderer]

Since your contract is with the agent, I suspect you're going to have a hard time convincing the client to 'extend' you for a lesser period and \ or give you a rate increase to cover the loss of travel and subsistence because of the 24 month rule.

And even if you do, I suspect the agent probably wont wear it since they will be losing commission (and could potentially get you replaced with someone on a lower rate giving them more of their commission0.

Pffttt. The agency will do exactly what the client tells them to do. I don't talk to the agent about the extension, it's nothing to do with them. All they are doing is factoring the payments.

I'd talk to the client about the situation and find out how much they are paying the agency. With a long extension they should be able to cut the agency margin back and fund the pay rise that way. Hell, it's probably only 10 or 20 quid a day we're talking about here.

As for the notice period, tell them that it's unreasonable to lock you in for 18 months and it's just asking for trouble to enter a contract with no termination clause. 4 weeks max, thank you very much.

[BolshieBastard]

Why do you think this is hard? I've been in this situation and got a shorter extension offer by explaining the situation to both client and agent. Although I really used the expenses thing as an excuse, I wasn't sure I even wanted to stay beyond 24 months anyway and they were offering me an 18 month contract (with no notice ) after I'd been there almost 18 months.

Depending on the circumstances that is unlikely. If a client wants to extend you beyond 2 years it's because they know and trust you as you have a track record with them. Most wouldn't put up with an agent dropping you and replacing you with someone else just to increase their margin.

I think it will be hard because it wont be easy. Have I said it is impossible to get a shorter extension? No! I just said it may be harder since despite what you and others may think, the contractor's contract is with the agent not the client.

The client could very well turn around and say the expense situation is nothing to do with them. That's why they employ agencies to find contract workers after all.

Pffttt. The agency will do exactly what the client tells them to do. I don't talk to the agent about the extension, it's nothing to do with them. All they are doing is factoring the payments.

I'd talk to the client about the situation and find out how much they are paying the agency. With a long extension they should be able to cut the agency margin back and fund the pay rise that way. Hell, it's probably only 10 or 20 quid a day we're talking about here.

As for the notice period, tell them that it's unreasonable to lock you in for 18 months and it's just asking for trouble to enter a contract with no termination clause. 4 weeks max, thank you very much.

If the client is arsed, yes they will. But if the client doesnt want to know, you may well have a hard time getting the agent to issue a shorter contract.

BTW, I was at one client site for 3.5 years. I didnt get expenses for the last 18 months which involved a 160 mile a day commute. Neither did I squeal like a girl over it either.

[Mr.Whippy]

I think it will be hard because it wont be easy.

Wise words....

Last time I was in this situation it took a 30 second conversation with the client.

The client could very well turn around and say the expense situation is nothing to do with them. That's why they employ agencies to find contract workers after all.

They could say that, but it's extremely unlikely if you've a decent relationship with the client.

I never talk to the agency about extensions and rates once I've established a good, professional working relationship. It's all done via the client and they tell the agent. As Wanderer said before, the agent is purely there just to pay the invoices and send out contract paperwork as per the clients wishes.

[swamp]

I've seen a client change a contract duration to allow the contractor to stay within the 24 month rule. The client was quite happy to do this. Just ask them.

[northernladuk]

I've seen a client change a contract duration to allow the contractor to stay within the 24 month rule. The client was quite happy to do this. Just ask them.

I have done this and client was ok BUT they did ask me a lot of questions about what I would do should I get renewed after 24 months. I was ok there and had no intention of leaving even after the 24 months so they changed. Unfortuante thing is they didn't renew at 23 months so kinda gave them an option to finish me 3 months early but that's life.

Whether the client would have been quite so accomodating knowing I had no intention to work for him past 24 months is another story.

[Wanderer]

I have done this and client was ok BUT they did ask me a lot of questions about what I would do should I get renewed after 24 months. I was ok there and had no intention of leaving even after the 24 months so they changed. Unfortuante thing is they didn't renew at 23 months so kinda gave them an option to finish me 3 months early but that's life.

That's an interesting point. Don't let the tax tail wag the dog... If the contract is a good one and we are prepared to to the time then take the full extension offered and forget about a few hundred quid in travel/subsistence.

[eggtastico]

Ask them to change the job title & the role slightly so it sounds like a different job.
You may need a holiday period between your old contracting role before taking up the new contracting role.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Ask them to change the job title & the role slightly so it sounds like a different job.
You may need a holiday period between your old contracting role before taking up the new contracting role.

The 24 month rule refers to location and not to the job role so I am afraid that won't work.

[Scrag Meister]

The 24 month rule refers to location and not to the job role so I am afraid that won't work.

WLS

Would prefer it some other way, as have had 3 roles in London, but alas, have not been claiming subsistence/travel type expenses for 2 years , and now live here.