Reply to: Signed renewal, does this constitute acceptance if you dont attend

[psychocandy]

Exactly, all a bit academic anyway as my renewal has 1 week's notice period. Not worried about burning this bridge this time around as they tend to treat people quite poorly when they want to sack them. Always thought it would be nice to take them into an office and tell them I will not be needing their services anymore should the moment present itself.

Agreed. Some clients I've been sorry to leave and felt a bit sorry for them when I've decided to move on.
One or two I've had great fun telling them Im not renwewing and watching their face.

[coxsox]

By the same token, if the budget was cut, they would have no qualms in cancelling the extension and serving me notice.

Exactly, all a bit academic anyway as my renewal has 1 week's notice period. Not worried about burning this bridge this time around as they tend to treat people quite poorly when they want to sack them. Always thought it would be nice to take them into an office and tell them I will not be needing their services anymore should the moment present itself.

[jmo21]

Never understood why some clients leave it until the last day. All this does, even for those who really want to stay, is force contractor to look at other options just in case.

I think a large part of it is down to human nature. Everything is pootling along fine and very often, they just don't realise unless someone tells them.

I always starting raising the issue with 4 weeks to go, especially when I'd be happy to extend.

Even when I don't want to extend, I want to get it on their radar early for handovers.

[psychocandy]

FWIW I had to do something similar. I was offered a renewal, accepted it and then a job came along that I couldn't turn down. I served notice under the terms of my contract and while the woman I worked for was disappointed, it was justifiable given the increase in rate and duration the other job was offering.

By the same token, if the budget was cut, they would have no quarms in cancelling the extension and serving me notice.

Which is why for those clients and agencies who sort out renewals early, its often wise to drag it out a bit especially if your thinking you might leave.

Never understood why some clients leave it until the last day. All this does, even for those who really want to stay, is force contractor to look at other options just in case. Seen it a million times, contractor has no intention of leaving, client pisses about with extension, contractor gets call 2-3 days before end of gig, and goes somewhere else. A lot of the time contractors wouldnt even have bothered looking elsewhere.

Not cool, but even if you accepted renewal as you say I would say its not a problem to give notice correctly. And I agree too what you say about the client.

[TheFaQQer]

To be fair, he said they would have no quarms. Which, I suspect they didn't.

wouldn't

[JRCT]

qualms

To be fair, he said they would have no quarms. Which, I suspect they didn't.

[northernladuk]

Qualms

qualms

[tractor]

FWIW I had to do something similar. I was offered a renewal, accepted it and then a job came along that I couldn't didn't want to turn down. I served notice under the terms of my contract and while the woman I worked for was disappointed, it was justifiable given the increase in rate and duration the other job was offering.

By the same token, if the budget was cut, they would have no quarms in cancelling the extension and serving me notice.

Qualms

[BoredBloke]

FWIW I had to do something similar. I was offered a renewal, accepted it and then a job came along that I couldn't turn down. I served notice under the terms of my contract and while the woman I worked for was disappointed, it was justifiable given the increase in rate and duration the other job was offering.

By the same token, if the budget was cut, they would have no qualms in cancelling the extension and serving me notice.

[northernladuk]

Sometimes, the best way to light the path to your future is by burning the bridges of your past.

Whooaaa, deeeeep man...

[billybiro]

WHS - With the client right behind him.

You have every right to change your mind, read your contract, give notice as required, then view the flaming bridge behind you.

Sometimes, the best way to light the path to your future is by burning the bridges of your past.

[BolshieBastard]

Contract has been extended which comes into effect at the end of October, and has been signed by me already as acceptance. I am thinking of not renewing and simply walking away at the end of this contract before this renewal one comes into effect. Can I do this even though I have signed the renewal ? or do I need to start the renewal and provide notice from a contract perspective (appreciate common courtesy of course).

any ideas ? thanks.

Oh FFS! One day an agency is going to take someone like you to the cleaners.

[psychocandy]

why'd you sign the renewal so far in advance?

[TykeMerc]

By accepting and signing a renewal you have set their expectations that you're happy to continue the assignment, quite apart from it being more than a bit rude, it's bad business practice to leave a client in the lurch if you change your mind.

You could always offer a Substitute if you know someone suitable.

[TheFaQQer]

Contract has been extended which comes into effect at the end of October, and has been signed by me already as acceptance. I am thinking of not renewing and simply walking away at the end of this contract before this renewal one comes into effect. Can I do this even though I have signed the renewal ? or do I need to start the renewal and provide notice from a contract perspective (appreciate common courtesy of course).

any ideas ? thanks.

Assuming you have a notice period, then you should give notice and leave if that's what you want to do. If you haven't got the right to terminate, and you want to leave, then you should discuss this with the client and (hopefully) leave. If that still doesn't work, and you have a right of substitution, then get a substitute to do the work for you. If all that fails, then don't turn up and invite them to sue you for breach of contract (which they would win if it ever came to court, which is unlikely).