Client slow with renewals - look for something else?

[Mister Clark]

Yeh. In my case, it seems 99% that I'm going to be renewed. However, never say deffo is what I think especially when the client is having permie cost cutting measures and the ultimate budget is OKed by some bean counters in another country..... One good thing is that the project I work on is the clients big flagship money earner and theres plenty of work left to do on that. They'd be screwed without any contractors.

But, it never ceases to amaze me, how laid back some clients are with this. Leave it until days before and assume I'm going to renew. In the past, I've had a quick look, but not really applied for too much, because I'm happy where I am, but whats to say I'll not stumble across something cracking for more money?

Surely, if the client had got their arse into gear and got the agent to lob a contract under my nose with 4 weeks left then their getting in first before I've even had any thoughts about alternatives? Dont they even realise that 5 days before Xmas I might be somewhat keen to get something sorted for 2012?

You over estimate you're own worth.

No one is irreplaceable.

You leaving could cause a small inconvenience to the client but nothing more.

(I'm not making a personal point; truth is this more than likely applies to all who post on this forum, however I think this kind of thinking could leave you up the creek)

[northernladuk]

I know what you mean. But by not turning up you're:-

1) Causing bad vibes (even though it is the clients/agents own fault admitedly)
2) Causing yourself unpaid days off sitting at home when you dont want to be.

But, like you said, no contract = no pay possibly...

If it doesnt get sorted this week, then come Jan 3rd or whatever I'll be phoning client/agent at 9am and telling them to sort it out before I come in.

There is so much wrong with this post it is not true.

Did you not read this??

You cannot turn up on site without a contract. You are just a member of the public to them now and how would your client feel a member of the public walking on to site? You are not covered by their insurances, policies, nothing. Turning up without at the very least a verbal agreement to do so is just plain stupid. Might as well throw IR35 out of the window as well. Turning up to work without a contract?? If that isn't permie mentality I don't know what is.

no contract = breaking the law by going on clients premises. Pay is the least of your worries.

It is ok let us sort everything out for you but you have got to drop the permie head and start thinking like a business at some point.

[rd409]

I know what you mean. But by not turning up you're:-

1) Causing bad vibes (even though it is the clients/agents own fault admitedly)
2) Causing yourself unpaid days off sitting at home when you dont want to be.

But, like you said, no contract = no pay possibly...

If it doesnt get sorted this week, then come Jan 3rd or whatever I'll be phoning client/agent at 9am and telling them to sort it out before I come in.

Not turning up will give bad vibes, but turning up uninvited, will close the doors for you forever. Again that depends on the client, but as has been said earlier, prepared to be marched off the premises.
Even if you turn up, and worked, the client can reject your timesheet, and then not pay you. So you cannot really factor in the cost, unless you are prepared to take a chance of working for free.
I am in similar situation, and so far nothing material has come either from a new contract, or an extension. I have just spoken to the agent, that if I get a new contract before the extension, I will take it and will be unavailable for the extension.
The agent has promised(?) me to chase up the extension. Let's see what's in store for me. But I am definitely not turning up without an extension. Come this friday, I will be handing over all the equipments and security passes to the manager or whoever is available.

[Support Monkey]

I know what you mean. But by not turning up you're:-

1) Causing bad vibes (even though it is the clients/agents own fault admitedly)
2) Causing yourself unpaid days off sitting at home when you dont want to be.

But, like you said, no contract = no pay possibly...

If it doesnt get sorted this week, then come Jan 3rd or whatever I'll be phoning client/agent at 9am and telling them to sort it out before I come in.

I was told by my agency that you should never turn up to site if no contract is in place because you will not be insured and nor will they or presumably the client, not sure how his works but you can see the potential issues if you turn up and go mad and take down their network and your not supposed to be onsite.

I am with you on the bad vibe thing but if you have made every effort then there is not much more you can do other than give em a call first day back or perhaps turn up and advise you have only come in to go through hand over as then your not onsite to work

I am in the same boat contract expires 31 dec and i am not in after 23rd anyway and there is no one around to make a decision now.

[b0redom]

I know what you mean. But by not turning up you're:-

1) Causing bad vibes (even though it is the clients/agents own fault admitedly)
2) Causing yourself unpaid days off sitting at home when you dont want to be.

But, like you said, no contract = no pay possibly...

If it doesnt get sorted this week, then come Jan 3rd or whatever I'll be phoning client/agent at 9am and telling them to sort it out before I come in.

1) No, you state quite categorically, in writing to both the agent and the client. I will not be able to attend site as my indemnity and liability insurance (you do have these right?) will not cover me or my work.

2) If you had a builder, and you said you wanted a conservatory built, would you expect him to turn up after he'd finished building it and expect to be paid. Drop the permie thinking.

[psychocandy]

You over estimate you're own worth.

No one is irreplaceable.

You leaving could cause a small inconvenience to the client but nothing more.

(I'm not making a personal point; truth is this more than likely applies to all who post on this forum, however I think this kind of thinking could leave you up the creek)

Agree. All too aware of that. But if ALL contractors got the boot it would be an issue for them.

[psychocandy]

There is so much wrong with this post it is not true.

Did you not read this??



no contract = breaking the law by going on clients premises. Pay is the least of your worries.

It is ok let us sort everything out for you but you have got to drop the permie head and start thinking like a business at some point.

And neither did you read the part that where I said what Id be doing on January 3rd. I will ring them at 9am to let them know they need to sort it.

Not helped by fact that I know nothing will happen between xmas/new year.

I was just bemoaning the fact that because they are so useless I will possibly end up having to take a few days off when I dont want to. And you can guarantee that the people on the ground at client will be pissed off that I'm not there even though its not my fault !

[psychocandy]

1) No, you state quite categorically, in writing to both the agent and the client. I will not be able to attend site as my indemnity and liability insurance (you do have these right?) will not cover me or my work.

2) If you had a builder, and you said you wanted a conservatory built, would you expect him to turn up after he'd finished building it and expect to be paid. Drop the permie thinking.

Yeh, true enough and I've given them more than enough warning in the last week or so.

Dont worry - I aint going to be turning up without a contract. No way at all.

However, judging by how everything else is done here. I.e. no-one listens until the tulip hits the fan, I'm perfectly expecting this not to get sorted this week, and next week (even though I'll be working) theres no chance of the relevant people being in to sort it out. So, come 3rd Jan that'll be the deal.

[northernladuk]

I was just bemoaning the fact that because they are so useless I will possibly end up having to take a few days off when I dont want to. And you can guarantee that the people on the ground at client will be pissed off that I'm not there even though its not my fault !

Maybe a bit less of the bemoaning then. It is making you look ridiculous.

[psychocandy]

Maybe a bit less of the bemoaning then. It is making you look ridiculous.

At least I could never ever appear to be as much of a grumpy tulip as you.....

BTW - wheres my Xmas card?