Reply to: Ending contract early

[psychocandy]

You can still put family first and not have a **** you attitude towards your client. That's just unprofessional. Not hard to balance the two where possible. Where family wins over the client there is nothing wrong with accepting you are the one that has put the client out and showing a bit of acceptance of that instead of blaming the client and having a **** you attitude.

I would agree but in this instance I think the client pushed this one according to the OPs side of things.

In my experience, most people are ok.

But I've also worked at clients no so good. I remember one asking me to work the weekend - I said only available until 5pm. No negotiation - wife was working.

Ran on a bit. 5pm came. Client had a strop when I said I had to go. I explained that we'd discussed this and wife had work so I had no option. Their answer, its important cant the mrs phone in sick? I was not impressed and had a big row with them about it. In the end, I said tough and walked out.

Guy did apologise to me the next week to be fair. Point is - its all well and good to try and keep client in mind but sometimes you've got to say tough luck.

[psychocandy]

Says the guy that thinks phoning in sick is an acceptable way of getting out of contractual obligations. Do you not think it's that attitude which is causing this type if client behaviour in a real situation. Total hypocrite.

Hang on now are we back to this pc/unix same person thing? How many times - unix is not me.

[jmo21]

LOL. Good for you. Ironic that manager has gone on sick himself - obviously works just one way for him.

Glad they've asked you back but if it was me I'd be wary after the way they treated you this time.

Got a big thing about this. There family/serious stuff and theres work/computers/systems. First one is WAAAYYYYY more important than second (unless someones life is in danger which is rare). Clients/people who dont understand this are to be avoided.

This.

I was out for a couple of weeks after crashing my car before Xmas.

Client co were totally understanding (frankly I'd have expected nothing less), and client co boss man even got me a week back of the 2 week contractor xmas furlough so I could earn (and the project was pretty quiet at the time too, so it wasn't that he desperately wanted me to get stuff done)

[DaveB]

Thought it might be worth putting in an update here.

I went back last week and worked out the week that I should have done the week previous when my wife went to hospital. I'm glad I went back as I was able to finish off my outstanding tasks and end the contract in a much nicer manner, and say goodbye to people, etc.

Anyway today, out of the blue I get a call from the agency. The manager at the client who had talked about breach off contract has gone on long term sickness leave, and they are very keen for me to come back and work on some more projects for them. In point of fact I have decided that this job is a little too far from home for me, but nice to get some positive feedback.

Nicley done. It does seem like the ideal opportunity to negotiate some flexible working if the gig is a bit far from home. You have the upper hand as they want you to come back.

[psychocandy]

Thought it might be worth putting in an update here.

I went back last week and worked out the week that I should have done the week previous when my wife went to hospital. I'm glad I went back as I was able to finish off my outstanding tasks and end the contract in a much nicer manner, and say goodbye to people, etc.

Anyway today, out of the blue I get a call from the agency. The manager at the client who had talked about breach off contract has gone on long term sickness leave, and they are very keen for me to come back and work on some more projects for them. In point of fact I have decided that this job is a little too far from home for me, but nice to get some positive feedback.

LOL. Good for you. Ironic that manager has gone on sick himself - obviously works just one way for him.

Glad they've asked you back but if it was me I'd be wary after the way they treated you this time.

Got a big thing about this. There family/serious stuff and theres work/computers/systems. First one is WAAAYYYYY more important than second (unless someones life is in danger which is rare). Clients/people who dont understand this are to be avoided.

[jazza]

Thought it might be worth putting in an update here.

I went back last week and worked out the week that I should have done the week previous when my wife went to hospital. I'm glad I went back as I was able to finish off my outstanding tasks and end the contract in a much nicer manner, and say goodbye to people, etc.

Anyway today, out of the blue I get a call from the agency. The manager at the client who had talked about breach off contract has gone on long term sickness leave, and they are very keen for me to come back and work on some more projects for them. In point of fact I have decided that this job is a little too far from home for me, but nice to get some positive feedback.

[SueEllen]

I sent them the discharge notes. The agency have been fine about it all actually, it is the client who are giving them a hard time.

Brilliant.

[jazza]

Maybe send them the medical report anyway, and to the client. It may lead to a change if heart on their part, even embarrassment.

I sent them the discharge notes. The agency have been fine about it all actually, it is the client who are giving them a hard time.

[jazza]

And there's your answer. Holidays are also coming up, the OP didn't like the contract & he has childcare issues & isn't willing to do a few extra days, so I think the agency is bang on with breach of contract regardless of the excuse he's dreamt up for the first two parts.

bizarre post, I don't recall saying I wasn't going to make the time up. In point of fact I have offered to work for them next week to make the time up to them as I consider myself a professional and would prefer to move onto my next contract with a clear conscience.

I do feel that my wife having emergency surgery is a rather good reason to have a few days off though, and would treat anyone who worked for me with some sympathy.

[MarillionFan]

I forgot about the holidays as well which will make them even more suspicious of your motives.

I think it will become more common place as contracting becomes the defacto standard for IT guys to make a living and for companies to resource skills i am afraid. Plenty more mercenaries in screwing clients over etc...

And there's your answer. Holidays are also coming up, the OP didn't like the contract & he has childcare issues & isn't willing to do a few extra days, so I think the agency is bang on with breach of contract regardless of the excuse he's dreamt up for the first two parts.

[unixman]

No particular update, I emailed the agent to set out the situation plainly, said how sorry I was, and that I could provide evidence of the emergency if that would make things go better.

Maybe send them the medical report anyway, and to the client. It may lead to a change if heart on their part, even embarrassment.

[garethevans1986]

Had something similar.

Wife was due early Feb, contract was due to finish end of Jan. Baby decided to come early, wifes waters went on a Saturday night. I phoned the person who signed my timesheets first thing on the Monday morning, client was very understanding. I contacted the agent as I had a clause in the contract that I must notify them before 1000 on the first morning etc etc Agent was fine.

It did help that the project had been delivered on time in December too

I have now been asked to return to the same client (via the same agent) to work/consult on another project.

[northernladuk]

I forgot about the holidays as well which will make them even more suspicious of your motives.

I think it will become more common place as contracting becomes the defacto standard for IT guys to make a living and for companies to resource skills i am afraid. Plenty more mercenaries in screwing clients over etc...

[jazza]

Aaaaaanyway.... Id be interested to here how this went for the Op. Any update?

No particular update, I emailed the agent to set out the situation plainly, said how sorry I was, and that I could provide evidence of the emergency if that would make things go better.

Some more info - my contract was due to finish in 2 weeks, but I gave my week's notice on Friday, so I don't blame them for being suspicious really (if that is what has happened).
The project is rather a big one, involving dozens of developers, and everyone is due to finish on April 10th. I wasn't enjoying the environment, although I think I was doing a decent job for them, and the agent said they were pleased with my work.

I suppose I could offer to come in next week and work instead to smooth things over, but my wife will still be recovering, and my kids will still be on holiday for half term, so it isn't that suitable.

On the whole I would rather focus on finding my next contract in a couple of weeks time, but if they come back to me I might try this route.

I've been contracting 16 years and never had this kind of reaction from a client before though.

[unixman]

Surprising the client would take this attitude in the circumstances. A medical emergency trumps all. That is why it is called an emergency. Not sure why the client would choose to disbelieve the OP. Perhaps there is more to this story than meets the eye.

Going forward, the OP could always offer to come back for a few days in the near future, taking a few days off from his new contract. IR35 friendly too.