Giving Notice

[MojoDog]

People are saying this is a harsh question but it's the first thing I thought when I read it as well. I don't see why it shouldn't be mentioned. It's a fair question.

It's a fair question when asked politely. Beginning a question with "How the hell..." and ending with "I suggest you..." when you know nothing of the circumstances is just rude.

I had a bad year, money became extremely tight for a variety of reasons, none of which are anyone's business.

I asked a question based upon my current circumstances, expecting to receive some form of adult solidarity from like-minded professionals. Which I'm grateful to say that I did. Unfortunately, like on every other forum on the internet, there are also arrogant, ineffectual and loud-mouthed keyboard warriors who measure themselves by the vitriol they produce in pointless, caustic opinions that they seem unable to keep to themselves.

Disappointing.

[northernladuk]

It's a fair question when asked politely. Beginning a question with "How the hell..." and ending with "I suggest you..." when you know nothing of the circumstances is just rude.

I had a bad year, money became extremely tight for a variety of reasons, none of which are anyone's business.

I asked a question based upon my current circumstances, expecting to receive some form of adult solidarity from like-minded professionals. Which I'm grateful to say that I did. Unfortunately, like on every other forum on the internet, there are also arrogant, ineffectual and loud-mouthed keyboard warriors who measure themselves by the vitriol they produce in pointless, caustic opinions that they seem unable to keep to themselves.

Disappointing.

Phew, glad it was someone else and not just me this time

I think the term 'How the hell' just shows a level of incredulous surprise, which is understandable given the details you provided. I don't think it is that aggressive. Remember not only is it possible for a poster to sound different to what he actually meant it is also possible for a reader to read too much in to it and take it in the wrong vein.

The fact you are so offended by it kinda makes the two of you as bad as each other IMO. You have to expect 2 months in that many years is pretty difficult to understand so appreciate that and just take whatever you read with a pinch of salt. No crying allowed on here.

[psychocandy]

I've been contracting for the best part of ten years now and always seen a contract to the end. My current situation is that after 2 months of "resting", I'm 4 weeks in to a 6-month contract that I'm really enjoying. Trouble is, it's a 4-hour drive from home so I'm stopping in digs, and the money is just enough to pay the bills but not enough to pay off the debts of a credit card that was thoroughly spanked during a very lean and troubled year.

I've been offered a contract with a company who are 2 hours away from home and paying much better money. (I would still need digs but the rate would cover that with quite a bit to spare) and I'm tempted to exercise the 4-week notice period in my current contract but can't shake the feeling that I'd be letting the client down.

At the end of the day, I suspect that head will have to rule heart (it's only a 6-month contract) but having never been in this position before, I wondered what the general feeling is towards contractors who "jump ship"?

Any and all advice gratefully received.

Thanks for listening

Personal opinion. Look after number 1 without a doubt. Lucky that new client is ok with 4 weeks notice mind.

[psychocandy]

How the hell after 10 years of contracting did you not have enough saved to deal with 2 months on the bench.. I'd suggest that once you get over the current dilemma of giving notice (or not) you take a long hard look at money management...

"very lean and troubled year" implies more to it than just 2 months off. I dont think we know the OPs full story - there could be multitude of reasons which are none of our business.

[psychocandy]

It's a fair question when asked politely. Beginning a question with "How the hell..." and ending with "I suggest you..." when you know nothing of the circumstances is just rude.

I had a bad year, money became extremely tight for a variety of reasons, none of which are anyone's business.

I asked a question based upon my current circumstances, expecting to receive some form of adult solidarity from like-minded professionals. Which I'm grateful to say that I did. Unfortunately, like on every other forum on the internet, there are also arrogant, ineffectual and loud-mouthed keyboard warriors who measure themselves by the vitriol they produce in pointless, caustic opinions that they seem unable to keep to themselves.

Disappointing.

Normal on here Butti :-(

[d000hg]

Does that make you feel better about yourself?

What possible value does your arrogant, misinformed and ignorant response bring to this thread?

People are saying this is a harsh question but it's the first thing I thought when I read it as well. I don't see why it shouldn't be mentioned. It's a fair question.

It's a fair question when asked politely. Beginning a question with "How the hell..." and ending with "I suggest you..." when you know nothing of the circumstances is just rude.

Coming here telling us how we should run our own online community is pretty arrogant and rude as well. It is a fair question and wasn't even asked rudely, but with a sense of astonishment since most people would expect to be able to go 2 years without work after 10 years non-stop!

Lighten up, starting a spat is NOT going to help you as a newcomer to the site.

[woohoo]

Coming here telling us how we should run our own online community is pretty arrogant and rude as well. It is a fair question and wasn't even asked rudely, but with a sense of astonishment since most people would expect to be able to go 2 years without work after 10 years non-stop!

Lighten up, starting a spat is NOT going to help you as a newcomer to the site.

He didn't ask his question in general so a bit of courtesy and professionalism would be nice. Better ways to ask a question and it came across as a bit tulipty. I would have had a go if someone spoke to me like that.

OP, I've given notice once because the contract wasn't as advertised and generally it was a horrible place to work - my name is mud with that customer and probably anyone they speak to about contractors. So there is always a price to pay. Can you not speak to your client and try and work something out, working from home etc? At least it would show to your client that you are trying and aren't just jumping ship for mo money.

[d000hg]

"How on earth did you run out of money" is not rude - he can choose not to tell us but going off on am uppity rant is a bit silly as a newbie asking for help.

[woohoo]

"How on earth did you run out of money" is not rude - he can choose not to tell us but going off on am uppity rant is a bit silly as a newbie asking for help.

How on earth do you not understand how that question was rude. When you ask as question in that way it implies the other person is stupid. Now you may not read it that way but I did and so did the OP. If you cant get to adult life without asking a question in a more polite way then I would be surprised. Good on him for having the balls to stand up for himself.

Anyway this isn't general so not going to continue with this as anything I say isn't going to convince you otherwise.

[TheFaQQer]

If you want to jump, then give your notice and jump. Don't expect a sympathetic audience, either on here or at the client site - your calculations (or lack thereof) will cause an amount of inconvenience with the client and the agency (although only one of those really matters).

If you've jumped after a month, then I'd be inclined to remove it from your CV going forward, or be prepared to explain exactly what happened).