Reduce 1 contract to take on another - Opinions

[topper]

Hi Guys,

Am after some opinions and advice on how best to approach this, and it's fairly urgent.

Overview, LTDCo Contractor since Jan. (Newbie Yea yea!), 3 month contract renewed for further 3 months on Friday (27th), with £25pd increase negotiated, 5 days a week.

Old Permie Place contacted me about doing 2 days a week with them until the end of my current contract and then full time until end of September (so my pipe line looking good!).

Not only are they offering £100pd extra, it's closer to home with no travelling over the UK, and as I see it having 2 ongoing contracts helps my IR35 (not that it needs it), and before someone says so yes I know IR35 is contract specific but it can't hurt for the business tests can it!!!

Would you honour the current contract and stick to 5 days a week?
If not how do I approach to reduce to 3 days a week? (I have the substitute clause, could you that maybe?!?)

If I don't take the new offer I won't get the Summer Time work, I can also state I will meet my deliverables on 3 days a week with my current contract.

I know people will say honour the contract, but in the same breath they also say you're a business start thinking like one, I'm leaning towards the latter!

Chris

[MarillionFan]

You can only but ask. I did three concurrent contracts last year for a while.

2 days, 2 days, 1 day (but billed for the odd extra day at home).

All three clients needed work doing and wanted to retain.

The only downside I found to it was, that it was relentless. With all contracts there are times when you are at 100% and others when you are waiting on people. When you split between 2/3 contracts at a time, the client has a chance to get their tulip together so when you hit each site you are expected to be at 110% because they have prepared for you. I did it for 6-8 weeks before ditiching the idea.

[JamJarST]

When you say old permie place, how old do you mean? Going back to an old place you were permie at recently is often considered a red flag for IR35. Have you had your current contract and the new proposed one reviewed for IR35 because you said sure of their status?

[nomadd]

When you say old permie place, how old do you mean? Going back to an old place you were permie at recently is often considered a red flag for IR35.

This^

And your current client is likely to find someone else when you suggest skipping two days a week to work for another client. Yes, you can ask, but be prepared to walk (or be pushed.)

[topper]

The only downside I found to it was, that it was relentless. With all contracts there are times when you are at 100% and others when you are waiting on people. When you split between 2/3 contracts at a time, the client has a chance to get their tulip together so when you hit each site you are expected to be at 110% because they have prepared for you. I did it for 6-8 weeks before ditiching the idea.

LOL, well the current place is like that, so that would probably happen to me! They are probably wasting at least a day a week of my time by their poor scheduling\responses, which is why I am hoping they will be happy to reduce to 3 days.

[topper]

When you say old permie place, how old do you mean? Going back to an old place you were permie at recently is often considered a red flag for IR35. Have you had your current contract and the new proposed one reviewed for IR35 because you said sure of their status?

I mean the same team at my ex place of employment, different job, defined project though, and they are a Huge Blue Chip with many contractors so the working practices are pretty good.

Yes current contract review and I am happy with my status, can never be 100% but I have taken all precautions I can, and am not dwelling on it!

I am waiting for the new contract with terms etc to review before approaching current.

[Scoobos]

My advice is , whilst it looks good, take those dollar signs out of your eyes and think about the IR35 perceived implications.

If it was your ex permie place of work then I'd not touch it with a barge pole, irrespective of their hiring / contractor conditions.

When asked the question did you work for X permanently at any time in the past? You have to answer yes - not good.

Just my 2 cents.

[topper]

This^

And your current client is likely to find someone else when you suggest skipping two days a week to work for another client. Yes, you can ask, but be prepared to walk (or be pushed.)

Agreed on IR35, but lets not get too hung up on it, I will take all steps I can to be outside, but am aware it maybe part of 'your' decision process.

The 2nd point is valid though, but I feel I have a good relationship with the client to suggest it, I will not be playing hardball, and if they are unwilling then the new offer will have to get declined.

[topper]

My advice is , whilst it looks good, take those dollar signs out of your eyes and think about the IR35 perceived implications.

It's not just the immediate dollar signs, it's the longer term work (which I know is there) and the other benefits of closer with no UK travel.

[nomadd]

...but am aware it maybe part of 'your' decision process.

My decision process? Unlikely - the last permie job I had was nearly two and a half decades ago!

TBH, I don't see why people like yourself create threads like this? You asked for advice, and many people gave it in good faith. Now you just seem to be intent on arguing with all of them...