Reply to: What to do ??

[wantacontract]

I get the look after number 1 thing...but personally if I shook the guy's hand literally and looked him in the eyes and said yes I am committing to the next 4 months....then I am committed....

[BlasterBates]

Agree with above, your contracting career has to last decades and the new contract is only 6 months. You'll want to be able to go back at some point.

[WordIsBond]

If contract B is in the same location (as defined for the 24 month rule), then the 24 month thing doesn't come into play at all.

Also, OP hasn't said whether there are substantive T&S expenses at stake here.

Can you walk away? If your contract has a notice clause, of course. You agreed to a contract, you abide by it, but if the notice clause is in there you aren't breaking the contract by invoking it. And it may be they wouldn't even object that much if you did, given the story here.

Should you walk away? I wouldn't. When you shook hands and agreed to stay, you made an agreement.

Can you negotiate? Absolutely.

Seems like they can't afford you and they can't afford to lose you. So if you get the offer, tell them about it. And say, "I can help your budget problems some AND give you a hand. I'm willing to work from home for 12 hours on the weekend for the next four months. I can even talk to this new contract about, instead of working out my notice here, letting me come in one day a fortnight for the next four months." Something like that. This can be a win-win, where they save money but get enough of your services to help them out. And you have two clients at the same time, which is both lucrative and somewhat helpful as far as IR35 goes. And maybe it spins into a long-term part time retainer deal with them, if you are really lucky.

Are you a business or a temporary employee? If the former, then try to leverage the situation into a stronger and long term business relationship with at least one of your clients. And if your new client knows you have an on-going part time deal with another client, it gives you stronger leverage with them in any future negotiations.

[northernladuk]

Your attitude is unprofessional. You signed a contract, you keep to it. You will give contractors a bad name....

Bit of selective reading going on?

[LondonManc]

Your attitude is unprofessional. You signed a contract, you keep to it. You will give contractors a bad name....

I think he's more talking about further work. But I like your thinking

[BrilloPad]

If I was the OP I'd take this as a bit of a sign they need him more than he may need them and try and exploit it.

Your attitude is unprofessional. You signed a contract, you keep to it. You will give contractors a bad name....

[northernladuk]

My thoughts on the 'f**k them as they gave you notice line'. I kinda maybe get this, I don't like it but I get it.... but... In this case the budget has run out and they've canned all the resources, not just the OP and they have come back and retained him despite the cuts. Anyone that's been in a position where their budget has been pulled, arguing to keep someone needs some pretty good justification. If I was the OP I'd take this as a bit of a sign they need him more than he may need them and try and exploit it. During the next 4 months can he make himself more invaluable to the client create the justification to keep him?

I'd say he's got an opportunity he could milk here rather than seeing red and just dumping them. Budget cuts are part of business, doesn't always mean it's time to go mercenary. There are still opportunities there.

[SimonMac]

You only have one offer on the table, there is no choice to make

[diseasex]

If you can leave now on good terms - go for higher rate. If you cant then don't.

[Boo]

I'm thinking safe option of 1...but keen to see what guys would do in my situation.

What to do is up to you but I think it's a mistake to think of your current company as a safe bet, they've canned you at short notice once before and there is nothing to say they won't do the same thing again. If the new contract hasn't been signed yet I weould ask them for £650 to compensate for the previous uncertainty and see whether they bite. If not use it as an excuse to leave.

Boo

[psychocandy]

If client B contract lasts longer than 4 months then I would take that.

Sod the professional thing. Look after number 1.

Agreed. OP - do you have a notice period?

I'd be looking after number 1. Client A has already shown they are willing to invoke notice when they feel like so I see no problem at all in doing the same if it suits you.

[psychocandy]

And IMO you got your priorities completely wrong with the warchest. Get the warchest first and THEN start spending your money and paying debts off. No good being in a situation where you have no debts (that could have been managed) but can't put food on the table should you get be benched for a period.

Agreed. Its a balancing act though. Pay off some debts but as NLUK says its no good if you've not got ready cash.

A while ago I had loads of 0% debts so there was no rush to pay off. I did a bit - got to be paid off sometime.

But then again, you can keep moving 0% to new cards most of the time and only pay 3% in effect.

[psychocandy]

See the gig through as you've commited to it. It's the professional thing to do and there will be plenty more gigs around when you leave this one. That's how contracting works.

Either way, until you have a contract signed you have nothing so you could put the decision off until you do actually have options and then worry about it.

Only you will know really but if they have managed to justify you during a cut you must be doing something right. I'd be trying the leverage that if I were you and secure more work at a higher rate after this one.

Couple of minor points. You won't be unemployed between gigs. Your company just won't have any income. You are a business now so need to start thinking like one...

And IMO you got your priorities completely wrong with the warchest. Get the warchest first and THEN start spending your money and paying debts off. No good being in a situation where you have no debts (that could have been managed) but can't put food on the table should you get be benched for a period.

There will be plenty that will says go for the higher rate. Screw the client as they gave you notice etc... So I hope you are not looking for a definitive answer lol....

JSA?

[LondonManc]

Just checking. Didn't think it would but wouldn't put it past hector.

[pr1]

On the 24-month rule, an interesting one in this case. If during the 4 months he gets offered an extension but has no intention of taking it, does it still put him under the 24-month rule from that point?

No one has ever had to pay the tax back on intention alone (someone please prove me wrong!)