What would you do?

[BoredBloke]

Meant to add - I can't give notice to get out of the gig.

Yes you can. Come in pissed you'll be out before you know it. Chin the guy you don't like and you'll be away pretty quick. It's also hard to predict a car crash and those broken arms and legs are a real sho stopper when it comes to a commute.

I hate my role also!

[BrilloPad]

Are the results of the poll binding?

[Pondlife]

JFTI


Doubt there are many comfy seats left on the bench at the mo.

[vetran]

There is no work? You are bored? - you have some work be glad.

Actually you are in a perfect 'training gig' they need you on site but they have no work. You get a laptop with all the latest technologies on it and settle in to build your skills.

Any task they give you get can be expanded to fit in with one of your 'soft skill' training goals, each project is an opportunity to develop your PM skills, each documentation task can become a chance to polish your technical writing skills.

You are hating being out of control, change the perspective they are out of control you are getting paid to learn.

[Gonzo]

I would keep taking the money for now if I were you, but if you do take the extension set yourself a limit beyond which you won't extend so that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

The two-year period would be a likely target because your travel and accommodation costs must be quite hefty. If they offer you another 6 months now you go beyond it but could you negotiate that down to 3 months?

Here's the thread that I started when I was in two minds about my contract a couple of years ago, at the height of the boom:

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...rs-needed.html

I don't know if those responses will be any help.

As it was I stuck it out and am glad now that I did.

I am now finally taking that long break that we talked about 18 months ago Now that I am here, I am glad that I worked most of 2007 and 2008 and didn't give in to the temptation to take time out earlier.

[ace00]

Walk - you describe a situation that is not good for you soul / health.

Hope you have a war-chest.

WHS - depending on family responsibilities.

[The Lone Gunman]

What sort of contractor are you?
I assume you have known this was coming for some time. Where is your exit strategy for what is clearly a crap gig? Where is your contingency planning?
Surely you have been searching for other gigs comming up to the end of this one so you will know what your market is like?
Any advice would be dependant on the above.

If you have a war chest then walk away and get some training in or work on plan B.
Otherwise ride out the economic storm where you are.

Make sure you do not lose out on the 2 year rule. Point out to your client and agent that your rate will have to increase to compensate for the loss of expences. Maybe suggest working from home.

[Lockhouse]

Stop whinging and take the cash or get a new contract and walk. Don't leave without having something else to go to.

[DimPrawn]

Out of interest, is this a public sector or private sector gig?

I'd be interested in which clients have money to burn on contractors that don't do anything. I'd fit right in there.

[TheFaQQer]

Actually you are in a perfect 'training gig' they need you on site but they have no work. You get a laptop with all the latest technologies on it and settle in to build your skills.

No laptops allowed. No external access to anything.

Any task they give you get can be expanded to fit in with one of your 'soft skill' training goals, each project is an opportunity to develop your PM skills, each documentation task can become a chance to polish your technical writing skills.

That's part of the problem, though - I'm not getting any tasks to do. Or certainly nothing that can be padded out to mean anything - this week's work has been to update a list of tables in a document. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less - make sure that the list of tables is correct and save it back into source control.