Bristol Rails contract of the month

[Cenobite]

For me this takes the biscuit. The agent wanted a Bristol Ruby on Rails contractor who would:

* Have a computer science degree and five years' post-graduate experience;
* Sign a 6 month contract with the understanding that this time period might be too long and be ready to be canned with no notice;
* Unconditionally agree in advance to renewals at the same rate (this covers the case when the amount of work is underestimated: see client overestimation clause above);
* Be paid only at the end of the six month contract so that's giving them seven months' credit; and
* Work from home because there's no real office.

I don't want to spoil it so won't post the final offered rate up yet. Consider all the risk you're taking and have a guess! I told another agent and even he thought the final rate sounded like an April Fool's.

[JoJoGabor]

Will be sent straight to Bob-land

[northernladuk]

* Have a computer science degree and five years' post-graduate experience;
Aimed at Bobs I guess. Doesn't seem a problem here?

* Sign a 6 month contract with the understanding that this time period might be too long and be ready to be canned with no notice;
Quite normal. Notice period is for permies and doesn't mean anything just because it is in your contract. Nothing new here, just put in a refreshingly honest wording.

* Unconditionally agree in advance to renewals at the same rate (this covers the case when the amount of work is underestimated: see client overestimation clause above);
All clients expect this anyway. They will fold if factors support your case.

* Be paid only at the end of the six month contract so that's giving them seven months' credit; and
This is the only piss take I can see.

* Work from home because there's no real office.
Sounds like a dream.

Might be missing something here but the only thing really taking the piss here is the payment terms. The getting canned bit isn't new. Every contract has this risk and every contract has the ability for the client to do this.

[d000hg]

Will be sent straight to Bob-land

If they have no office it might simply be a genuine, ignorant startup.

I'll guess £150/day.

[Cenobite]

If they have no office it might simply be a genuine, ignorant startup.

I'll guess £150/day.

You're good: £120/day.

[Cenobite]

Might be missing something here but the only thing really taking the piss here is the payment terms. The getting canned bit isn't new. Every contract has this risk and every contract has the ability for the client to do this.

Yeah, I didn't have a problem with it at all when the agent was running through it: I was nodding away thinking this'll be good money then until he eventually got to the rate. £120/day?!? After working for them for six months, I reckon if the Web site didn't generate enough business in its first month, there'd be no payment.

[kingcook]

You're good: £120/day.

At that rate, i'd have to be VERY desperate, and i would also demand a 0 day notice from my side (to jump ship to a new contractif/when one became available).

And sort out that "paid at end of contract" tulipe.

[cojak]

Yeah, I didn't have a problem with it at all when the agent was running through it: I was nodding away thinking this'll be good money then until he eventually got to the rate. £120/day?!? After working for them for six months, I reckon if the Web site didn't generate enough business in its first month, there'd be no payment.

I think you're spot on there.

I think the client is trying a risk-free (to them) startup.

[eek]

I think you're spot on there.

I think the client is trying a risk-free (to them) startup.

You miss the fact the agent is also a grade a muppet. If you take it and don't opt out they are liable for the money.

[jmo21]

At that rate, i'd have to be VERY desperate, and i would also demand a 0 day notice from my side (to jump ship to a new contractif/when one became available).

And sort out that "paid at end of contract" tulipe.

With this contract, I have a sneaky feeling you wouldn't get paid if you didn't see it out.