Would this be poor form?

[therewillbecode]

Had two contracts on the table and chose one. Five days in and it seems that the other would have been much more interesting work. Would it be poor form to give notice and take the other contract, if it's still available?

[cojak]

Yes it would be poor form, and you can forget about working for anyone from this contract again.

I get most of my work these days from PMs and Managers taking me from one contract to the next.

Good, reliable contractors are remembered. So are the flakes.

[TheFaQQer]

If you need to ask, you know the answer.

[psychocandy]

Hmmm. It would be but no-one else is going to put you first apart from you. I know everyone on here goes on about don't ditch etc but if I was ever in the position I wouldn't knock it back out of hand totally.

[northernladuk]

Just to ditch because the other is 'more interesting' is very poor IMO. For a start how do you know it is going to be more interesting. I would guess now you have arrived on site the one you are doing isn't what you thought. How do you know the other would be any different.

Secondly, as a contractor we do work and invoice. I think having interesting work is a lovely perk but in my mind is not part of the standard fare for us. We deliver for a generous reward. You are going to find gigs where you have been brought in for nothing more than a punching bag, all the blame will be laid at your feet for stuff that happened before you were even there and you will get all the crap regardless of if you had any responsibility for it. I have had one of those gigs and it was pretty miserable, but I saw it through and am pleased I did. It is part and parcel of the style of work you have opted for. Dropping clients just for something a bit more interesting in my mind is not acceptable.

Dropping a gig because the money is a lot more, closer to home and other tangible stuff is less clear. I think you have to see through what you have committed to but others say do what suits you best. It certainly isn't something you can make a habit out of though, one day it will come back and bite you hard. Dropping it just for 'interesting work' doesn't fit in to this. Someone may argue this flexibility is the reason we contract, we can pick and chose work. That doesn't mean you can be a mercenary and hold your clients to ransom if they don't give you something interesting. Do this a few times and word will get around. Agents will find out when they follow up references as well.

Get your head down, do the work and look forward to the next gig.

[kal]

Just to ditch because the other is 'more interesting' is very poor IMO. For a start how do you know it is going to be more interesting. I would guess now you have arrived on site the one you are doing isn't what you thought. How do you know the other would be any different.

Secondly, as a contractor we do work and invoice. I think having interesting work is a lovely perk but in my mind is not part of the standard fare for us. We deliver for a generous reward. You are going to find gigs where you have been brought in for nothing more than a punching bag, all the blame will be laid at your feet for stuff that happened before you were even there and you will get all the crap regardless of if you had any responsibility for it. I have had one of those gigs and it was pretty miserable, but I saw it through and am pleased I did. It is part and parcel of the style of work you have opted for. Dropping clients just for something a bit more interesting in my mind is not acceptable.

Dropping a gig because the money is a lot more, closer to home and other tangible stuff is less clear. I think you have to see through what you have committed to but others say do what suits you best. It certainly isn't something you can make a habit out of though, one day it will come back and bite you hard. Dropping it just for 'interesting work' doesn't fit in to this. Someone may argue this flexibility is the reason we contract, we can pick and chose work. That doesn't mean you can be a mercenary and hold your clients to ransom if they don't give you something interesting. Do this a few times and word will get around. Agents will find out when they follow up references as well.

Get your head down, do the work and look forward to the next gig.

Agree, was in this exact situation a year ago, choice of 2 contracts and the one closer to home won out, realised in hindsight that I should have taken the other one but sucked it up and finished the 4 month role before moving on, if you sign a contract then be professional and complete it (they did offer me an extension which I declined!).

[Old Greg]

Yes it is poor form a cojak says.

Now, decide what is best for your business and do it.

[Spacecadet]

I walked once, I did feel guilty but I really took an instant dislike to the client, the rate was tulip, it was for a very small agency and I had another offer

As others have said. It is bad form but you won't go to prison for it (probably) but you are free to do what you want; have a serious think about it and the consequences and if the pro's out weigh the con's then just do it.

[billybiro]

if you sign a contract then be professional and complete it

Absolute twaddle. It's not "professional" to see out a contract that is not right for you or your business. Nor is it "unprofessional" to leave a contract provided you give the requisite amount of notice that the contract stipulates.

Also see my other post on a similar topic recently.

Is a client being "unprofessional" when they decide 2 weeks into your 6 month contract that you're no longer required? No, they're not. It's just business, and they they are doing what is right for their business. Which leads us to....

Yes it is poor form a cojak says.

Now, decide what is best for your business and do it.

This. Ignoring the "yes, it's poor form" nonsense (for the reasons stated above), the second sentence here is the correct advice. In fact, the only correct advice. Just like the client who drops you 2 weeks into a 6 monther, you do what is right for your business and nothing else. "Form", "professionalism" and all these kinds of weasel words designed to make you feel guilty don't (or shouldn't) even enter into it.

[cojak]

Did no-one read the rest of my post??
I hardly bother looking for jobs these days because PMs look me out for new contracts and are prepared to wait.

If you are in contracting for the short term go right ahead, but putting short term whims for long term reputation is a bad business decision as far as I'm concerned.