Extension, or not to be....

[MrMarkyMark]

Nah. Overkill in some circumstances.

If its an extension, an email confirming such from a relevant person i.e. agency or client is good enough IMHO.

Of course, if agent says dont go in then dont - they are the payers after all.

Some clients if you wait the paperwork signed sealed and delivered you're going to lose a LOT of billing days for no reason.

I think the proposal that he flops his old boy out, was more relevant advice, in this instance.
Although, I'm unsure where this would leave him with his PI insurance....

Verbally advised extension at end of last week, but not heard anything since. Not a word.

[OwlHoot]

Psychocandy will be along to give you some worldly professional advice shortly. He loves this type of thing.

The simple answer is assume you won't be extended, and act accordingly, until the contract is in front of you ready for signing

[OwlHoot]

If your contract requires you to have

Professional Indemnity
Employer's Liability

Then I would not be working without a signed extension, unless you receive a written waiver of these terms. The potential exists that if you work without a formal contract, then you might be breaching the terms of your Insurance.

Personally, I would not work without a formal extension, in writing.

In the absence of an extension, the terms of the initial contract are assumed to continue in effect.

(although that isn't to say you aren't correct about possibly breaching the insurance terms in that event)

[Scruff]

In the absence of an extension, the terms of the initial contract are assumed to continue in effect.

(although that isn't to say you aren't correct about possibly breaching the insurance terms in that event)

In the past, I have been asked by the end-client not work without a written extension, since they could not allow me to access their systems, with the potential that my insurance terms might be invalidated, or compromised. It all depends on you (, your agency) and the end-clients's appetite for risk.

[northernladuk]

Nah. Overkill in some circumstances.

If its an extension, an email confirming such from a relevant person i.e. agency or client is good enough IMHO.

Of course, if agent says dont go in then dont - they are the payers after all.

Some clients if you wait the paperwork signed sealed and delivered you're going to lose a LOT of billing days for no reason.

I don't think so. The problem is it is only overkill until you need to fall back on it and your problems start.

IMO just an email is the worst case scenario or the absolute minimum you should expect. A simple letter on headed paper with a signature is not a lot to ask and is much better than an email.

[psychocandy]

I disagree. In an ideal world the client/agent would sort out the contract and it'd be all be done and dusted two weeks before the contract ends.

BUT, it doesn't work like this in a lot of cases. Client is disorganised/agency takes ages to sort. There's got to be some sort of flexibility in most cases. Otherwise, IMHO you're gonna lose money and/or upset the client unnecessarily.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm the first to say don't go in if nothing is sorted. I've had clients where other contractors have worked 6 weeks without anything in place, but then I've refused to go in because the client wont even confirm extension via email. Alarm bells ringing there.... Made me look like an awkward twat but tough tulipe.

(I subsequently heard a story of them getting a contractor to work for 3 weeks then shoved him out of the door saying sorry budget denied we cant pay you for the last 3 weeks. I suspect in my case this was what was going on i.e. it wasnt signed off and they would have done same to me if it'd gone wrong).

IMHO an email from client manager/agency confirming extension is good enough as long as actual paperwork is sorted out in good time afterwards. As above, if client refuses to do this then the bells should be ringing. Also, if agent says dont go in then don't - they are paying you ultimately.

[psychocandy]

I don't think so. The problem is it is only overkill until you need to fall back on it and your problems start.

IMO just an email is the worst case scenario or the absolute minimum you should expect. A simple letter on headed paper with a signature is not a lot to ask and is much better than an email.

Now Im sure you've argued the opposite in the past ;-)

I agree to a certain extent. Good situation is having everything sorted. Email is minimum.

But it all depends on a number of factors. Do you fancy a few days off with no billing possibly? Do you want to push it with the client because its bound to upset them? Do you really believe you will get extended?

After all some clients will act like this every single extension but it does get sorted. There's a time to put your foot down and a time to be a bit flexible IMHO.

Not sure how a client would stand if you had an email saying yes we are processing extension, let you work for a few weeks, then backed out and tried not to pay. In my case they accidentally on purpose kept forgetting to send me said email so I said stuff it. They weren't pleased but it was their fault it did focus attention for next time.

[northernladuk]

Now Im sure you've argued the opposite in the past ;-)

I've argued it's the absolute minimum but is acceptable. I'd go in on the back of this but I'd also attempt to get them to send me a signed letter as well. If that's all that's available then so be it but if there the opportunity to get a letter I'd push for it.

We are assuming that the people telling the OP this are the people he's got a contract with and not the client saying it when and agent is involved? The latter brings other considerations in to play.

[EternalOptimist]

Last two weeks of contract.

Verbally advised extension at end of last week, but not heard anything since. Not a word. All I have is an email advising extension likely, but not signed off.

So, I need to start to think about the implications of working out of contract if the extension does not get formalised in time.

Depends if you are going direct or through an agent.

If you are using an agent, throw the problem onto him - 'You do realise I will not be going to the office from Monday because I don't have a signed contract'
That has never failed me.

If you are going direct, it's a bit more tricky. The last thing you want to do is to heap any cr@p onto the client. It's a judgement, weigh up the risk and make a judgement. If you do decide to approach them, use the sh!t butty technique, the bad news rolled in between two bits of positive news.
i.e. 'I have really enjoyed this project, its been fantastic but as you know my contract ends soon and I will be on my way. It's a pity because I have really enjoyed being part of a great team'

[LondonManc]

If there's insurance requirements, I'd stay away until contract appears.

If no insurance requirements, I'd want at least an email from hiring manager to agent, copying me in or forwarded to me advising that the agent should extend.