Would you?

[DodgyAgent]

If your default attitude is that of Mitch the tester and LG then I admire you simply because you put the needs of your customer ahead of your own.

If you dont like the job then dont do it in the first place.

If you are an employee (permie) then it is different, but you people are here to provide a service.

There is no reason why you should extend your contract, but there are many reasons why you shouldnt jack a contract in. If you are going to jack a contract in then it should be with the goodwill of the client to the point where he/she would be pleased to have you back.

There are one or two arrogant prima donnas or wallies with chips on their shoulders who think that the rest of the world owes them a living. The bad news is that India is part of the rest of the world and it is their people who are making the living.

[suityou01]

I don't know how much work there is elsewhere in your field, but the remaining 9 months of your contract does have its upside - it should see you through some difficult times for contractors. I'm reminded of the value of my contract every day, as I walk to my clientco past the JobCentre.

There are plenty of people on the bench at the moment - some posting on here. I assume, with your young family, that is a place you'd like to avoid.

Some people on here have little difficulty finding work because their skills are always in demand. If that doesn't apply to you, think twice before taking their advice when they tell you to jack it in.

It's good advice. I guess I seem a little ungrateful really. I get like this on Monday mornings, having to say goodbye to tearful kids and wife. Chin up. Count lucky stars etc.

[tino]

If your default attitude is that of Mitch the tester and LG then I admire you simply because you put the needs of your customer ahead of your own.

If you dont like the job then dont do it in the first place.

If you are an employee (permie) then it is different, but you people are here to provide a service.

There is no reason why you should extend your contract, but there are many reasons why you shouldnt jack a contract in. If you are going to jack a contract in then it should be with the goodwill of the client to the point where he/she would be pleased to have you back.

There are one or two arrogant prima donnas or wallies with chips on their shoulders who think that the rest of the world owes them a living. The bad news is that India is part of the rest of the world and it is their people who are making the living.

I've personally never walked on a contract with anything other than the best wishes of a client.

So it's not something I would do lightly or as a matter of course. It IS however something that I would do without a moments hesitation if my family needed me and I have the utmost respect for The Lone Gunman who would quite clearly value a contract over that of the wellbeing of his family

[Mich the Tester]

A Dutch saying is that reputation comes on foot but leaves on a horse. If you can make a deal with the client that retains the good will of both parties, do so, but ALWAYS from the default position that both parties will fulfill the contractual requirements, whereby there can be some flexibility on both sides in precisely HOW those requirements are fulfilled. But if the client simply doesn’t wish to compromise, do what the contract says, give them sufficient notice that you won’t be renewing, and then tell them you are prepared to help them find and hand over work to your replacement. Your reputation will be enhanced.

I once refused a renewal because I wasn't happy in the project and had a poor relationship with the PM. I told the client I felt it was in his best interest he seek a replacement and offered to help him do so. He replaced me, I handed over the work to the new guy. Some months later I returned to clientco under a different PM; clientco was pleased with me as I'd left in a professional manner, so when he needed a tester again he hired me in.

[The Lone Gunman]

It's good advice. I guess I seem a little ungrateful really. I get like this on Monday mornings, having to say goodbye to tearful kids and wife. Chin up. Count lucky stars etc.

It may be good advice, but your response shows just how poorly cut out you are to be a contractor.
If you need to be at home with the wife and kids more than anything else then it should not make a tulipe of difference if you lose your income stream.
If your income stream is important then commit to it.
Sometimes you have to make hard decisions to be in business.
If you feel you can let your client down at the drop of a hat then you are not fit to be a contractor and you are damaging the image of the rest of us.

For the rest of you: As DA said, imagine you have employed the services of someone else and they let you down for whatever reason. Would you find it acceptable? Taxi doesnt turn up to take you to the airport, accountant tells you he is quiting on Jan 30th.. etc.
You have all chosen to be in a service industry. By all means do what suits your business best, but not by letting the clients down. Finish the job, then walk away. Learn what suits you but accept that soemtimes you will have to do some hard things to finish the lesson.
Remember that others are walking the same path and you owe it to them not to damage the (badly tarnished) reputation of the freelance community.

Now go and talk to your client and tell them that your wife is not coping and you are due another child. Negotiate a withdrawl but always defer to the clients needs. If it costs you in time or money then wear it, provide a replacement if necessary btu do not let them down.
They will probably want rid anyway as it is clear that you will not be giving 100% whatever happens.
Never take another contract away from your family and if that means giving up contracting then give up contracting.

[DodgyAgent]

I think basically we all agree, but we do like a good argument whilst we are agreeing.

[The Lone Gunman]

The Lone Gunman who would quite clearly value a contract over that of the wellbeing of his family

Statements like that are unworthy even in jest. You have no idea (unless you have been on this board a LOOOOONG time) how I deal with clashes between my family and my contracts. I have made some hard decisions and I have had some very serious circumstances to deal with.

[Moscow Mule]

I think basically we all agree, but we do like a good argument whilst we are agreeing.

No we don't.

[TykeMerc]

It is attitudes like those displayed by you lot that are causing more and more clients to turn away from individual freelancers for the security of a B2B contract with a head lease or offshore company.
If you want a safe secure home life then get a proper job with a local business.
If you want to be in business then behave like it. Put your clients needs first. There are very few business men (or women) who have both a home life and a successful business.
If you are lucky enough to have found that balance then good for you, but you are an exception (or a perma temp).
If they do not commit to the business then they fail.
The problem in our industry is that it is so easy for fly by nights to trash the reputation of the rest of us.
The amount of times I have had to reassure clients because of numpties like you lot is ridiculous.

While it's a very harsh view I agree with you completely.

After 18 years of contracting I am sick and tired of having to defend myself against the lousy reputation of fly by night contractors who sod off for trivial reasons. I've seen it happen loads of times at numerous clients and have suffered the backlash.
I've had a couple of contracts that I've hated, but I've always seen them through to the end of the contracted term, it's the only professional way to behave.

[tino]

Statements like that are unworthy even in jest. You have no idea (unless you have been on this board a LOOOOONG time) how I deal with clashes between my family and my contracts. I have made some hard decisions and I have had some very serious circumstances to deal with.

I'm sure you have, taking such a hardline approach to satisfying your clients needs. I agree though, it doesn't read back so well, therefore I apologise.

Were these very serious circumstances worth dealing with to keep your client happy?