Screwed over by new contract

[psychocandy]

Thanks for the advice all. I have started looking for new roles today and speaking to old contacts. As everyone says - it happens, but I think it's morally wrong what's happened in my scenario. Hey ho....

Agree Ben. It is wrong. I know tulip happens but this sort of thing just happens too often sometimes.

A lot of people on here are of the "bend over and take it" mindset but I'm not. Not too much to expect professionalism and fareness all around.

Im wondering in your case if some manager has got the contractor sorted but jumped the gun a bit and hasnt got sign off. Bit naughty. Im guessing its not 50/50.

Imagine the grief from a client/agent if you said, sorry theres a two week delay, I'll let you know in two weeks when I want to start but Im off on holidays now. Bye.

[TheFaQQer]

A lot of people on here are of the "bend over and take it" mindset but I'm not. Not too much to expect professionalism and fareness all around.

Professionalism and fairness don't always make happy bedfellows with the law of contract and the wording of the contract.

[DigitalUser]

Agree Ben. It is wrong. I know tulip happens but this sort of thing just happens too often sometimes.

A lot of people on here are of the "bend over and take it" mindset but I'm not. Not too much to expect professionalism and fareness all around.

Im wondering in your case if some manager has got the contractor sorted but jumped the gun a bit and hasnt got sign off. Bit naughty. Im guessing its not 50/50.

Imagine the grief from a client/agent if you said, sorry theres a two week delay, I'll let you know in two weeks when I want to start but Im off on holidays now. Bye.

This is what annoys me about the contracting industry, and gives it a bad rep - we are paid a significant PREMIUM to have the flexibility end clients want in their resourcing. It isn't about 'bending over and taking it', it is about being wised up to the fact that things can change rapidly. If this is happening 'too often sometimes' then a suggestion would be evaluating the type of client you're working with.

[andyc2000]

I'm still waiting for a gig to start that I was offered weeks ago during my first face to face with them. I'm still waiting and the start date has moved again because the new PM turned it down at the last minute. Fortunately I'm waiting on another client site and have just sorted an extension that should cover the new gap.... I may be able to carry on like this for ages.
As the others have said 'Welcome to contracting'.

[SteelyDan]

sometimes

...this works the other way around; you secure a contract, client drags heels/paperwork/delayed start/whatever, and you pursue and secure an alternative option in the meantime, which leave both the agent and client aggrieved. Yes, like everyone says, it's part of contracting, but sometimes it can swing the other way too.

[CheeseSlice]

...this works the other way around; you secure a contract, client drags heels/paperwork/delayed start/whatever, and you pursue and secure an alternative option in the meantime, which leave both the agent and client aggrieved. Yes, like everyone says, it's part of contracting, but sometimes it can swing the other way too.

This recently happened for me.
A new contract offer arrived, but the paperwork needed updating. I was dealing with a numpty at the agency who didn't seem to understand a contract was a legally binding document and needed to be correct before signing (fundamentals like location and dates). Meanwhile after giving several excuses why it couldn't be corrected just now, and, can't we just agree verbally to update it later?(hell no), another contract offer landed on my lap that could start immediately. I signed the latest one and started a new contract. Do I owe anybody any compensation? I feel bad for clientco, but I dont think so!

[kal]

This recently happened for me.
A new contract offer arrived, but the paperwork needed updating. I was dealing with a numpty at the agency who didn't seem to understand a contract was a legally binding document and needed to be correct before signing (fundamentals like location and dates). Meanwhile after giving several excuses why it couldn't be corrected just now, and, can't we just agree verbally to update it later?(hell no), another contract offer landed on my lap that could start immediately. I signed the latest one and started a new contract. Do I owe anybody any compensation? I feel bad for clientco, but I dont think so!

I would inform the client that the reason why you can't accept is the fault of the useless agent, no point in burning bridges due to the pimps incompetence.

[Wanderer]

I signed the latest one and started a new contract. Do I owe anybody any compensation? I feel bad for clientco, but I dont think so!

Fair enough too. Verbal agreements are a really tulip way to do business - all too often they end in tears. If they want you to do the work then they need to get the paper work done. If they can't sort that out quickly and professionally then people are going to take other offers... I would make damned sure the client knows that the agency messed it up too.

[d000hg]

You're trying to appear like a business while wanting non-business-like conditions. I.e. you want to eat your cake and still have it.

Would a proper business think that it was 'morally wrong' when a project was delayed?

They'd certainly be pissed if their client did this, when they had put a team of employees in place who had to be paid to do nothing. Morally... no not really. Damn bad professional manners... absolutely.

[CheeseSlice]

I would inform the client that the reason why you can't accept is the fault of the useless agent, no point in burning bridges due to the pimps incompetence.

Yep, did that in as fair and professional way I could. Clientco contacted me directly so I explained what had happened, apologised I couldn't take the contract, and let them know when I'm next available. They seemed happy with that and have noted my availability.