Reply to: Termination, please advise

[BlasterBates]

In the last bank I worked in the PMs were under tremendous pressure every quarter to justify all contractor resources, so doesn't surprise me they terminated at the slightest hint of inefficiency.

[northernladuk]

That's just the nature of employment so I'd say move on and put it behind you

Work dries up, employers need to cut costs, etc.

Even as a full time employee you can be given notice and asked to work up until that notice period for any supposed reason

Depending on the employer and the nature of the work you can be escorted out of the building and then paid for doing nothing or continue to go to work in order to be paid

I'd be surprised if this even came up in an interview as contracts tend to be short lived anyway

Full time employees are the only ones who need to explain why a job ended as a future employer needs to know how committed they are to their job, how long they'll stay, how well they get on with others, etc.

But as for CVs or if you're asked in an interview just quote the start and end dates and say that's simply how long the contract lasted because that's exactly what has happened

You are just trying to wind me up with that aren't you??
You can't be that daft.

[AnotherJohnDoe]

I've been in a contract for an investment bank, a 6 month rolling one. Got one extension, then 2 months before the next renewal had a meeting with the team lead and line manager where they announced they are terminating. The reason given is that they'd rather have someone with a testing background.

Asked why not let me finish, the line manager said that they need someone ASAP and they can't start hiring before the position is vacant. After the meeting an email was sent to agency and me asking to execute the notice and confirm my leaving date. I am now working through the notice period as normal. Chemistry was never perfect between myself and the lead and it was hinted at at the meeting, but there was no negative feedback and we had a 1-to-1 not long ago where he was positive.

Now I am a bit puzzled by this. Is it a common situaiton? I thought an early termination would imply a stronger reason and escorting out of the building. I was not going to renew anyway, so there is little immediate impact. But I would like to put this into perspective and get advice on how to handle it in CV or future interviews.

That's just the nature of employment so I'd say move on and put it behind you

Work dries up, employers need to cut costs, etc.

Even as a full time employee you can be given notice and asked to work up until that notice period for any supposed reason

Depending on the employer and the nature of the work you can be escorted out of the building and then paid for doing nothing or continue to go to work in order to be paid

I'd be surprised if this even came up in an interview as contracts tend to be short lived anyway

Full time employees are the only ones who need to explain why a job ended as a future employer needs to know how committed they are to their job, how long they'll stay, how well they get on with others, etc.

But as for CVs or if you're asked in an interview just quote the start and end dates and say that's simply how long the contract lasted because that's exactly what has happened

[VirtualMonkey]

it happens.
I got notice yesterday on my first day back from holiday and less than a week into a 3 month extension.
Pipeline is slim and so no work for me to do (going to the perms) so they aren't going to pay me for doing nothing...well...not after they finish paying my contractual notice period that is. First time for me but it's to be expected once in a while

[SlipTheJab]

Dat's Contractin' blud. Smarten waaay down, hit yourself street side and get yo'self anoda' gig, fine style.

qh is all jive.

Tru Dat

[SimonMac]

Ignore the length of contract, there is no such thing as early termination, the contract is only ever as long as the notice period, and you are luckier than most to be given the notice period!

[ladymuck]

Does the "no hiring before vacancy" theory sound plausible?

Yes, lots of places have defined budgets / head count limits that mean they can't get someone new in until the old one has exited

[gasca]

Thanks for the replies everyone, you cleared this up for me quite well. I had a few contracts in the past and left them either voluntarily or after many renewals. So I felt it is something rare and probably fishy. Anyway, I'm moving on. ronkeen, sorry to hear about your experience. Germany is not too bad, a mate of mine ended up in a similar situation in Australia, and with a 6-month flat rental contract on his hands.

[ronkeen]

dude , in germany they kicked me out not even 2 weeks completed and didn't want to pay for anything. What you have there is nothing compared to how ugly it gets.

[jmo21]

They don't need a reason.

/thread.

[northernladuk]

A bit harsh, old chap, your earlier post was succinct enough

Hmm. True enough but he posted again still looking for answers.

[TwoWolves]

Contracting is a funny old thing.

One gig you're working with genius' and they think you're awesome. The next one you are working with numpties and they think you're satan.

Don't let other people define how you feel about your competence on the job. There is very often politics going on behind the scenes and as the temp resource, you will easily become the whipping boy. Don't - just walk away with the cash. You are not a permie now, the only justice is your bank account.

[quackhandle]

Dat's Contractin' blud. Smarten waaay down, hit yourself street side and get yo'self anoda' gig, fine style.

qh is all jive.

[BR14]

At the end of the day, what does it matter? You are done. End of. What ever reason is really non of your business now. Don't keep hanging on. Just move on.
They may have used the tester issue as an excuse because people do not like to tell other people they are crap, or it might be real. It could be someone just doesn't like you of you've creeped one of the female staff out and it's the easiest way to get rid of you....but it doesn't matter. You're done.

How strong a reason just depends. The hiring manager can get rid if he doesn't like your aftershave if he really wants. You are a supplier, nothing more. What his superiors will say about him getting rid of you because of something petty? Maybe they won't hear or they don't care or they'll hear you were crap and need replacing. Either way... Guess what.. You are done.

Move on.

A bit harsh, old chap, your earlier post was succinct enough

[Lance]

From the employer's pespective

Oops. Did you mean that?