Honesty/Integrity best policy with agents/clients? Umm nope

[northernladyuk]

Cautionary tale for those who think honesty always works.

As some of you know I've had a lot of hassle recently with family illness and its been a real issue with my long commute.
Out of the blue (and I wasn't even looking) I got offered a local gig.

With no notice period on current contract, I've told the whole truth to local client and asked to be let out a month early (end of jan - I asked before xmas). So far all client has done (well head office rather than local people) is pissed me about, dragged they're heels and generally avoided giving me a staight answer. I get the impression they know I wont like the no answer and they're hoping it all goes away.

Bottom line now is I'll probably have to stay tough Im leaving on this date hard luck.....

So what have I learnt:-

1. Be wary of contracts with no notice period. You might get a great gig and have no intentions of leaving early - I didn't. You're covered by Force Majeure for certain things (like getting hit by a bus) but if you're circumstances changes beware of the hassle you may get.

2. As suspected, clients and agents are not your friend. All they look after is number one.

3. If this happened again, I would not be truthful. I would lie to make things easier for myself, I would forget thinking about the client and handover. (Handover not started - I told them two weeks ago and have offered but, as above, its not sunk in). To be honest, if it ever happens again I'll pull a sickie or something.

Let the contract run to the end but tell them you are not available to work. Do you have a contract that says that you must work every day, or that you may work and will be paid if you do?

[MrMarkyMark]

Let the contract run to the end but tell them you are not available to work. Do you have a contract that says that you must work every day, or that you may work and will be paid if you do?

Guess that's a cockblock in your game

[psychocandy]

As can you but remember you are only a temporary resource to fulfill the need of the client. The clients needs can change i.e. projects get canned so they need to get rid of you. They don't generally do it willy nilly and there tends to be a pretty good reason for it. What would you want them to do? Give you work until the end? You want to give all your money away in tax as an inside IR35 resource? No argument that clients have to give notice as it's business driven.



Yup. Why would you want to pay a resource that is on a T&M contract for doing nothing. You signed the contract so also agreed to it. It's fundamentally the way we work. Anything else and we'd be inside IR35 without a doubt.

OK. I will agree with you for some points. Especially the IR35 thing.

Also, I would agree about bailing unnecessarily for a few more quid. Its always something that needs to be though about carefully IMHO.

[psychocandy]

Oh that reminds me now I've mentioned Barclays. I believe they used to have a notice period but after them messing their contractors around we were using them as a stop gap and bailing as soon as something better came along. Seems fair to me, mess your vendors around and get a bad rep then it's gonna bite you. They implemented no notice contracts around that time as a response to contractors bailing.

Has there been a history of this at your client at any point?

Not the best example but it could be said the actions of the contractors tick the client off so they introduce no notice contracts BECAUSE contractors have a habit of bailing. Just food for thought.

Not aware that client has had any issues. But its a big consultancy with multiple accounts so who knows.

One previous had issues with previous contractors and they're general attitude afterwards tarred everyone with the same brush.

[psychocandy]

Let the contract run to the end but tell them you are not available to work. Do you have a contract that says that you must work every day, or that you may work and will be paid if you do?

This is always going to be a grey area I think. Obviously, my contract does not say I have to be there every day. It doesnt even mention things like holidays (which some contracts do) or days when you're ill.

[original PM]

We have had a thread about this before.

I have been honest all my life and always gone out of my way to help people and do the extra bit.

It has got me nowhere - people see kindness and understanding as a weakness to be exploited for their own gain.

I am teaching my kids to be complete ******* and not give a fook about anyone but themselves - it will pay off in the long run.

Obviously they will never come and see their dear old dad as he fades away but then so what that does not earn money.

[northernladuk]

We have had a thread about this before.

I have been honest all my life and always gone out of my way to help people and do the extra bit.

It has got me nowhere - people see kindness and understanding as a weakness to be exploited for their own gain.

I am teaching my kids to be complete ******* and not give a fook about anyone but themselves - it will pay off in the long run.

Obviously they will never come and see their dear old dad as he fades away but then so what that does not earn money.

What has that got to do with anything?

[LondonManc]

What has that got to do with anything?

You are original PM's kid and I claim my five kinder eggs.

[northernladuk]

You are original PM's kid and I claim my five kinder eggs.

If that's what he's turning out I could be offended by that comment.

[LondonManc]

If that's what he's turning out I could be offended by that comment.

Splendid.