What should I do?

[solo12]

What do you think the chances are of the work picking up where you are?

Never ceases to amaze me the number of clients who pay all that money for a contractor and then they turn up and nothing is ready. Some places I've spent weeks with no PC, and then waiting for client to be ready.

Then again, it might never. To be honest, if it was me I'd give it a big longer and then bail for the old client if things didnt improve.

Its all well and good saying you're still billing but it can be a nightmare just sitting there bored...

Well to tell you the truth no idea yet, but as I said before, I will maybe wait another 2 weeks and see how things turn up, and then have a chat with my manager. The only thing is that I might loose the chance to go to the prev employer cause he will hire someone else.

Yeah sure, people might think that its the best thing to do, billing and not doing anything, but even if I do not have anything to do, I hate browsing all day, feel a bit guilty that I am getting paid for nothing.

[solo12]

The problem with this type of question is there are absolutely no tangibles or history. What he gets is pure conjecture and is next to useless to the OP. He will be looking for an answer he wants to hear and will go with that which is worse than him making his own decision as there maybe other factors we are not aware of. Again my opinion. The user is welcome to ask but part of the opinions he is asking for is to make his own mind up. If he doesn't like advice like that then open forum isn't the place.

As I said, I am more looking at your experiences and not a straight answer. My answer would be to leave, but I do not want to make it look unprofessional. I thought that you guys might have had a previous experience like me, and what is the best way out. That's all.

[solo12]

There was a good piece of advice - talk it out with your line manager. It maybe that things have changed or the original piece of work is yet to start. If things have changed, there maybe an oppertunnity for a mutal out. Then its win-win.

Just make sure you tell the ClientCo you're returning to how difficult it was etc etc making you look the hero ;~)

Hahah wish I could manage to make it look like I am the hero but I doulbt it A good sending off would be enough

[Wanderer]

You really think an internet forum is the best place to ask for advice on things none of us can advise on?

Yeah, sure! solo12 is just wanting to bounce some ideas off the wall. Don't sweat it.

solo12, if I'd only been in a client site a month, done nothing, hated it and an old client would have me back on the same terms, then I'd probably cut and run. Get your time sheet signed then tell the current client that I'm bailing out and that's it. If it pissed them off then so what - I wouldn't put that one on the CV/Client List anyway so WTF.

Give notice then call in the "mutuality of obligation" or substitution clause in your contract that is so much vaunted here and used by clients to dump contractors left right and centre without notice. Sod it, life's too short to take tulip from people. If there's a better offer then just take it.

[solo12]

Yeah, sure! solo12 is just wanting to bounce some ideas off the wall. Don't sweat it.

solo12, if I'd only been in a client site a month, done nothing, hated it and an old client would have me back on the same terms, then I'd probably cut and run. Get your time sheet signed then tell the current client that I'm bailing out and that's it. If it pissed them off then so what - I wouldn't put that one on the CV/Client List anyway so WTF.

Give notice then call in the "mutuality of obligation" or substitution clause in your contract that is so much vaunted here and used by clients to dump contractors left right and centre without notice. Sod it, life's too short to take tulip from people. If there's a better offer then just take it.

Yeah did not mean any harm to anyone Its not exactly done nothing, I am patching some stuff, but not too much to last the day, so most of the time doing nothing yeah. I will give it another month or so, and see how that goes. Most prob I already know the outcome, but I will try to be as professional as possible until this goes on. Thanks for ur opinion Wanderer.

[NotAllThere]

I was in a contract where the first few days there wasn't much to do, so I discussed with the line manager when substantive work would arrive, and agreed not to come in until then. (Obviously not charging). In the meantime, I worked on my other contract.

[psychocandy]

I was in a contract where the first few days there wasn't much to do, so I discussed with the line manager when substantive work would arrive, and agreed not to come in until then. (Obviously not charging). In the meantime, I worked on my other contract.

Ideal if you've got anothe contract to work on. But for most of us I suspect it'd be the one and only contract and whereas it'd be nice to do that and you'd rther not just sit there, its money at the end of the day.

[NotAllThere]

On other occasions, I've simply gone home. Not an option if you need the money, obviously, but a potential source of goodwill.

Currently, I've only enough work for three days per week, so I'm enjoying the time off to do other things.

[solo12]

I was in a contract where the first few days there wasn't much to do, so I discussed with the line manager when substantive work would arrive, and agreed not to come in until then. (Obviously not charging). In the meantime, I worked on my other contract.

I wish I had another contract by the side Actually I am working on something at home but will not yeild enough and at the moment I need the money unfortunately, though if this continues, health is more important. that's why I will give it another month

[northernladuk]

Don't forget if you are on site and doing bits an pieces at clients request and not delivering as per contract you are raising a large red IR35 flag for client direction. How you manage that I have no idea but just wanted to point out being directed by client is not good.