Getting squeezed

[NoPaddle]

I've been contracting in my current role for the past 17mths.

Due to the situation of economic uncertainty and cost-cutting across the financial services sector, many changes have happened to make it less favourable for me to continue on working for this employer.

A. contract extension changed from 6mth period to 3mth period.
B. contract requires me to work the full length of the contract duration.
C. 10% pay cut on daily rate across the company.
D. the option of going permanent taken away and cancelled for the forseeable future.

Now my contract is up for renewal, I'm looking to improve my career prospects and rewards.

Question: On 3month contract durations, is it common to have a 1 month termination grace notice period; where either party can end their contract? I need this option to move on, as the flexibility to change jobs is easier.

What are the strategies used combat A, B, C and D?

[cojak]

I've been contracting in my current role for the past 17mths.

Due to the situation of economic uncertainty and cost-cutting across the financial services sector, many changes have happened to make it less favourable for me to continue on working for this employer.

A. contract extension changed from 6mth period to 3mth period.
B. contract requires me to work the full length of the contract duration.
C. 10% pay cut on daily rate across the company.
D. the option of going permanent taken away and cancelled for the forseeable future.

Now my contract is up for renewal, I'm looking to improve my career prospects and rewards.

Question: On 3month contract durations, is it common to have a 1 month termination grace notice period; where either party can end their contract? I need this option to move on, as the flexibility to change jobs is easier.

What are the strategies used combat A, B, C and D?

Answer: sometimes there is and sometimes there isn't - see strategies below.

A. Can't see a problem with that one. In fact it's the way most contracts are going at the moment.
B. Negoiate it out of the contract, or be happy that you only have a 3 month contract (See A).
C. If you're not critical to the project you have the option to accept it or leave. Tough, that's what happens when you're a contractor.
D. WTF? This is a contractor's website. Just look for a permie job from the start if you're not a real contractor.

[TheFaQQer]

Question: On 3month contract durations, is it common to have a 1 month termination grace notice period; where either party can end their contract? I need this option to move on, as the flexibility to change jobs is easier.

Possibly / possibly not. Some clients are now insisting on a contract which does not allow the contractor to give notice, some don't.

I disagree that having that option will give you any real flexibility - there aren't many roles where the client will wait for a month for a contractor, so does this give you any real benefit?

If you have a clause in the contract which prevents MOO, then you don't have to accept any of the work that is offered, so it's not much of an issue if you really want to leave.

What are the strategies used combat A, B, C and D?

A. contract extension changed from 6mth period to 3mth period.

Negotiate with the agency and client. I can't see it being a problem, though, to be honest.

B. contract requires me to work the full length of the contract duration.

Negotiate with the agency and client. I can't see it being a problem, though, to be honest.

C. 10% pay cut on daily rate across the company.

Negotiate with the agency and client. There are a number of threads on the same topic all over the place here. Either:

(a) threaten to walk and hope that the client / agency agree not to cut your rate
(b) threaten to walk and then walk when you don't get what you want
(c) negotiate and come to a compromise
(d) suck it up but work less hard
(e) suck it up and act professionally
(f) offer to work less days instead.

D. the option of going permanent taken away and cancelled for the forseeable future.

If you want a permanent job, then find one. If you want a contract, then be a contractor. I can't really see the attraction to either client or contractor of being "tempted" by the client to go permie.

[kingcook]

Due to the situation of economic uncertainty and cost-cutting across the financial services sector, many changes have happened to make it less favourable for me to continue on working for this employer.

[northernladuk]

I think someone needs to read up on IR35 and apply it to his situation to see how much trouble he is in IMO.

[TheFaQQer]

I think someone needs to read up on IR35 and apply it to his situation to see how much trouble he is in IMO.

I'm not entirely convinced that they are cut out for contracting. What does anyone else think?

[NLUKbot]

I'm not entirely convinced that they are cut out for contracting. What does anyone else think?

The NLUKbot suitability algorithm for *NoPaddle* returns *FALSE*

[SteelyDan]

The NLUKbot suitability algorithm for *NoPaddle* returns *FALSE*

Wots all this "NLUKbot" thing? Admiration society?

[MarillionFan]

Wots all this "NLUKbot" thing? Admiration society?

I think it passes for humour.

Re, comments above about point D. Nothing wrong with going contract to perm. Done it a couple of times myself and should always be based on merit.

[TheFaQQer]

Re, comments above about point D. Nothing wrong with going contract to perm. Done it a couple of times myself and should always be based on merit.

But would you be upset if the client said that they weren't going to be considering taking you on permie?

Did you go into the contract expecting / hoping to be going permie (which is how I read the original post)?