Worried if i turn down extension I will be axed

[northernladuk]

So if you hired a plumber to do your bathroom and then asked him if he could do your kitchen after he finished your bathroom, he said no he is going away, you would tell him to sling his hook midway through the job. If a client did that to me I would blacklist them. For one it's just idiotic to lose all that knowledge and start with a blank slate contractor.

You know, if the plumber I got in to do the kitchen was 20% cheaper than the guy doing my bathroom and had the same skills I think I would.

I am not saying they absolutely would, they would make an informed decision and do the right thing for the business. You said they can't fire you. That is completely wrong. They can. Whether they would or not is a different question.

I don't personally believe they will and if the OP gives plenty of notice and acts professionally it could actually increase his rep with them for his openness and integrity. You can do business with people like that even if it involves some situations that are ideal. The OP is going for personal reasons rather than just jumping ship for better rate close to home which also works in his favour IMO. At least they can be worked around in time. It's the guys that just jump ship without informing anyone properly as we have seen in a recent post that cause the problems.

Can they 'fire' him... Yes they can. Just pointing out your mistake.

[VectraMan]

They can't just fire you because you refuse an extension, if they do then you don't want to work for a company that behaves that way to contractors.

Of course they can. You're a contractor, they can "fire" you because they don't like the y in your name. If you want rights, become a permie.

So they want you to stay until the end of Feb 2014, but you want to go on holiday for 6 months from Feb 2014? It seems pretty foolish to lose months of work to avoid delaying your 6 months off for a couple of weeks. A proper contractor would always put cash above time off.

[northernladuk]

Of course they can. You're a contractor, they can "fire" you because they don't like the y in your name. If you want rights, become a permie.

So they want you to stay until the end of Feb 2014, but you want to go on holiday for 6 months from Feb 2014? It seems pretty foolish to lose months of work to avoid delaying your 6 months off for a couple of weeks. A proper contractor would always put cash above time off.

You could argue a proper contractor has so much cash he doesn't need to anymore seems that is most of our end goals

[northernladuk]

Has anyone had a similar experience? I have only been contracted for a few years and would love some advise from the more seasoned contractors.

My advise[sic] would be to use the word advice

[proggy]

Of course they can. You're a contractor, they can "fire" you because they don't like the y in your name. If you want rights, become a permie.

So they want you to stay until the end of Feb 2014, but you want to go on holiday for 6 months from Feb 2014? It seems pretty foolish to lose months of work to avoid delaying your 6 months off for a couple of weeks. A proper contractor would always put cash above time off.

Of course they can, I should have said, i wouldn't want to work for a client to doesn't see out their end of the contract if you have been professional etc.

[Ketchup]

Thank you for the responses.

I will let them know on Monday that i plan on departing in September. If they do get rid on me in July for someone who is cheaper and can see Project B through to completion then it isn't the worst time (not ideal with holiday season) to find a 3 monther to take me through to September. If not that is what my warchest is for, and the summer off wouldnt be the end of the world.

[VectraMan]

My advise[sic] would be to use the word advice

We should all thank NLUK for being here to advice us on spelling.

I wouldn't want to work for a client to doesn't see out their end of the contract if you have been professional

Well if the contract says 6 months, but we can end it at any time, then they are seeing out the contract by exercising their right to end it at any time. If they're wanting him to commit this early to a further 6 months from September, then clearly they're planning ahead - which any competent manager should.

[proggy]

We should all thank NLUK for being here to advice us on spelling.



Well if the contract says 6 months, but we can end it at any time, then they are seeing out the contract by exercising their right to end it at any time. If they're wanting him to commit this early to a further 6 months from September, then clearly they're planning ahead - which any competent manager should.

True, however say you were a manager and interviewed a contractor who walked on most of his contracts midway through? He was well within his rights to do that based on his contract but hardly someone you would want to hire, same goes for clients.

[VectraMan]

True, however say you were a manager and interviewed a contractor who walked on most of his contracts midway through? He was well within his rights to do that based on his contract but hardly someone you would want to hire, same goes for clients.

Have you ever asked a client that question?

Bottom line is if you want a guaranteed 6 months of work, get that put in the contract, or walk away. But then you're being an inflexible "flexible resource". Demands and schedules of projects changing is exactly why clients hire contractors; if they're stuck with staff they don't need for 6 months, they may as well hire permies.

[geoffreywhereveryoumaybe]

Hertfordhsire or Holborn?

I was thinking the same as I am working in Holborn on a reporting solution for a large supermarket!