Clients who cant be arsed to sort out renewals

[Scrag Meister]

Yes, I know its contracting and nothing is guaranteed / can be taken for granted.

Coming up to my 5th renewal with current client. They're never the quickest sorting out renewals but this time they're really taking the piss. Two days left till end of contract.

Got important work on next week with them. Or not as the case may be.

Potentially, I guess I could be canned on friday. Is it me or does anyone think its a common courtesy to, at least, give me the nod in advance as much as possible? To be honest, if it was me and I wasn't planning to renew, out of courtesy, I think I'd let client know a few weeks in advance.

We'll see what happens but its not cool IMHO.

If I hadn't seen a written confirmation of renewal 4 weeks before end of contract I would be out looking, after following up with the Renewing manager a couple of times.

Gotta look out for yourself.

Very unprofessional, and as you say a common courtesy to inform you of their plans.

[kingcook]

Imagine worrying about an agent thinking you're a time waster

That would be a bit like the bloke that ran away with the schoolgirl worrying what Gary Glitter might think of him

Don't compare agents to Gary Glitter... it's not fair on Gary

[psychocandy]

I got my first contract because the client was a slow renewer, and the former incumbent got annoyed about it and took a contract with another client.

Yeh. Theres something to be said for being patient but I dont understand clients rationale with this.

If they sort out renewal early, get contractor signed up then theres no chance of them looking around for something else.

[psychocandy]

Imagine worrying about an agent thinking you're a time waster

That would be a bit like the bloke that ran away with the schoolgirl worrying what Gary Glitter might think of him

Don't get me wrong - agents opinion isn't top of my list.

BUT applying for roles every three months, possibly getting interviews/offers and then saying, no thanks current client is going to renew is going to get tedious for both me and agencies.

[psychocandy]

If I hadn't seen a written confirmation of renewal 4 weeks before end of contract I would be out looking, after following up with the Renewing manager a couple of times.

Gotta look out for yourself.

Very unprofessional, and as you say a common courtesy to inform you of their plans.

Well I always bring the subject up at 4 weeks but there's absolutely no chance of that ever happening. Manager in question just usually stops responding to my emails after that. LOL.

Yes, I do look but its somewhat pointless if you know that usually its going to get sorted. Although, lets just say some of my time on site during those last weeks is spent doing non-client activities (i.e. looking for gigs).

Also, with 2 days to go and no renewal sorted, its difficult to plan ahead work wise and hardly very motivating.

However, I guess its a thin line between just getting on with the work and kicking off and being seen as an awkward sod (and thus screwing up renewal).

BUT, I wont be in monday if its not sorted. Got some very important work lined up for then which I ain't touching without contract in place (insurance issues etc).

[jmo21]

One month to go: email to agent to speak to client co. CV updated and uploaded CV to job sites.

3 weeks to go: if heard nothing, speak to agent again. Mention to client co timesheet approver. Start applying for roles. Start dropping hints in meetings, casual conversations with people who may not be in charge of contract decision, but who could certainly make noise (team leads, PM's etc)

2 weeks to go:
Full on applying for roles including taking agent calls on mobile. Any mention of project work past end date, and we are past the hinting stage. Asking about handover.

1 week to go:
same as above.

[blacjac]

Start dropping hints in meetings, casual conversations with people who may not be in charge of contract decision, but who could certainly make noise (team leads, PM's etc)

This.

Last renewal, 3 weeks before end of contract I got an invite to a project kick off meeting from the IS Director's PA. I replied asking if it was worthwhile me attending as my contract was up (it was a 6 month+ project).

2 hours later, phone call from director (I was working from home that day), offering me another 4 months, with more to come if budget is signed off.

[doomage]

It's because you are so well disguised as a permie, they now think of you as one. Permies don't need renewal.

HTH

[psychocandy]

It's because you are so well disguised as a permie, they now think of you as one. Permies don't need renewal.

HTH

LOL. Maybe....

[psychocandy]

One month to go: email to agent to speak to client co. CV updated and uploaded CV to job sites.

3 weeks to go: if heard nothing, speak to agent again. Mention to client co timesheet approver. Start applying for roles. Start dropping hints in meetings, casual conversations with people who may not be in charge of contract decision, but who could certainly make noise (team leads, PM's etc)

2 weeks to go:
Full on applying for roles including taking agent calls on mobile. Any mention of project work past end date, and we are past the hinting stage. Asking about handover.

1 week to go:
same as above.

Yep. Pretty much same... No response still.