contract extension offered by no paperwork received yet?

[TheFaQQer]

I was offered 3 month extension to this a week ago and as yet I haven't seen any paperwork. They insist that the deal is done and that "internal process" is holding it up.

If I come in tomorrow without something on paper I would guess that I am putting myself at risk of working for nothing if it doesn't materalise, yet if I don't come in for the same reason am I putting a black mark against my name for being awkward?

The phrase that is important is "without something on paper" - you may be right to hold out for a physical copy of the contract paperwork (although my current gig I only get a PDF copy - print, sign, scan, email back, but I've never had one signed by the agency yet), but you run a risk that the agency thinks you are being arsy and the client wonders where you've gone if you disappear.

I would ring the agency and ask where the paperwork is. Explain that if you haven't got a formal confirmation then you won't be in tomorrow. Explain that if there is a gap between this contract and any extension, then you need to send the contract for review before continuing, which would take up to five working days. Tell them you will accept an email confirmation of the rate and end date, as long as the email confirms that the terms and conditions are the same as the contract you are currently working to.

Then talk to someone at the client - explain that you want to stay, but the agency are dragging their feet at the moment over paperwork. Tell them that all you need is a confirmation from the agency that there is a contract in place, otherwise your insurance won't cover you being on site, and nor will theirs. The key thing here is to scare them into action - if they believe that you won't be insured, then they will chase procurement and / or the agency to get the paperwork sorted.

Do not work without some kind of cover in place - anyone who suggests otherwise is a moron.

[Davenutter]

Many Thanks

All,

Thank you for your input especially NLUK, pmeswani, and TheFaqqer et al for all the constructive responses, your experience here is invaluable.

Regards

David

[tarbera]

great news

All,

Thank you for your input especially NLUK, pmeswani, and TheFaqqer et al for all the constructive responses, your experience here is invaluable.

Regards

David

Please inform us if you are sitting in the office with a contract tomorrow or at home without one.

[AnthonyQuinn]

ignore what everyone has said.just turn up and keep working. an oral contract is also a contract. If you have been told the contract is extended, it has been extended.

Besides, if your badge, sign on and everything else work the next day and if the client accepts and acknowledges your presence, your contract has implicitly been extended.

If i had waited for paerwork I would never have been in on Day 1. I have been contracting for seven years.

[kingcook]

ignore what everyone has said.just turn up and keep working. an oral contract is also a contract. If you have been told the contract is extended, it has been extended.

Besides, if your badge, sign on and everything else work the next day and if the client accepts and acknowledges your presence, your contract has implicitly been extended.

If i had waited for paerwork I would never have been in on Day 1. I have been contracting for seven years.

Now there's a thought....

[northernladuk]

ignore what everyone has said.just turn up and keep working. an oral contract is also a contract. If you have been told the contract is extended, it has been extended.

The OP does not state he has a verbal contract. He explains his renewal is in process of being created. These are very different things.

Besides, if your badge, sign on and everything else work the next day and if the client accepts and acknowledges your presence, your contract has implicitly been extended.

The badge working is irrelavant. You cannot blame your failings just because the client hasn't cancelled your badge. It is not a sign you are allowed back on site. Also depends on who at your client ackowledges you. The receptionist or the guy sitting next to you, even your boss, will acknowledge your presence through ignorance. Make sure some that has the authority acknowledges it and is responsible for the contract being implicity extenced. It is a minefield to assume in this situation.[/quote]

If i had waited for paerwork I would never have been in on Day 1. I have been contracting for seven years.

It sounds to me you were not in the same situation as the OP. When he comes back and confirms to us that he has been told by his client then I will agree. At the moment he hasn't so must assume he doesn't have it.

[pmeswani]

Now there's a thought....

I don't think it's that kinda contract.

[minstrel]

This has happened to me several times before. Try and get an email from agency or client confirming they want to extend.

If they won't do this (probably to be expected) then send agency and client an email explaining that you understand they want to extend but are having difficulties arranging the paperwork. Explain that you will be happy to provide services under the same terms and conditions for 5 days while the paperwork is sorted and that unless you receive email confirmation that you are not required on site, you will be turning up.

You can throw your toys out of the pram and refuse to go back to work until you have the new paperwork, but you will probably lose a few days pay while it comes through.

IMHO the insurance argument isn't strong. I don't believe you need a written contract to be insured and even if you are not insured, the risk of a claim is not significant.

Your client PM is probably doing what he can to push things through as quickly as possible and is frustrated at the internal processes. If you turn up PM will think a lot more of you than if you stay at home to prove a point.

[SueEllen]

You are better of turning up and waiting in reception (with a book of your choice) and getting the PM to sort the issue out.

People tend to sort things out quicker if they know you are present. (Though I have gone and wandered around the shops on a couple of occassions to make a point.)

If you have a smartphone with internet access/laptop with dongle take it with you so you can receive emails.