Reply to: 2 weeks into contract - can I invoke notice of termination and not work the term?

[northernladuk]

After all these years, they all seem like a Death March...

They all sound like opportunities to me

[LondonManc]

+1 I had this issue a few years ago, was sold a dummy by the agent and the project was a bit of a car crash, do you know what I did... sucked it up and got on with it, wasn't the clients fault after all, I got them out of a hole and after 4 months politely refused an extension to move on, 3 years later I am back at the client on a new exiting project, didn't go through the agent this time though, made sure I kept in touch with the HR manager here and (he's asked me back a couple of time over the last 2 years) and when I was available I took him up on the offer... motto is don't burn bridges!!!

You're leaving again Jabbers?

[Scruff]

You're describing a Death March project, the OP is describing a tough project where he feels he's in over his head.

It's important to recognise the difference between the two.

After all these years, they all seem like a Death March...

[cojak]

2 weeks into contract - can I invoke notice of termination and not work the t...

I have left a number of gigs when the role changed/statement of work didn't meet the expectations/new "direction" meant IR35 had a potential to come into play. I have terminated the Professional relationship and negotiated my way out of toxic situations.

IMHO, your Professional integrity will not be negatively affected, since ultimately it is all about your Personal integrity, which affects YOU, your family and your co-workers (not colleagues!).

If the client lacks a professional attitude and respect, in practice, once you are "in contract" then you owe it to yourself to attempt to correct it, or else, "get ouf of Dodge"...

You're describing a Death March project, the OP is describing a tough project where he feels he's in over his head.

It's important to recognise the difference between the two.

[Scruff]

I have left a number of gigs when the role changed/statement of work didn't meet the expectations/new "direction" meant IR35 had a potential to come into play. I have terminated the Professional relationship and negotiated my way out of toxic situations.

IMHO, your Professional integrity will not be negatively affected, since ultimately it is all about your Personal integrity, which affects YOU, your family and your co-workers (not colleagues!).

If the client lacks a professional attitude and respect, in practice, once you are "in contract" then you owe it to yourself to attempt to correct it, or else, "get ouf of Dodge"...

[SlipTheJab]

+1 I had this issue a few years ago, was sold a dummy by the agent and the project was a bit of a car crash, do you know what I did... sucked it up and got on with it, wasn't the clients fault after all, I got them out of a hole and after 4 months politely refused an extension to move on, 3 years later I am back at the client on a new exiting project, didn't go through the agent this time though, made sure I kept in touch with the HR manager here and (he's asked me back a couple of time over the last 2 years) and when I was available I took him up on the offer... motto is don't burn bridges!!!

[cojak]

2 weeks into contract - can I invoke notice of termination and not work the t...

Contact's not what I expected and the work/responsibilities more than I know I can handle. I know that by handing in my notice I will leave team in the tulip with at a critical time in the project with no one to immediately replace me but I couldn't do a month of this

Use your network to get some mentoring help.

I had a tough contract last year and asked for advice from a senior member of the IPSE forum (and here occasionally). He happily helped me to work through the situation.

You don't have to be on your own just because you're a contractor.

You might find then that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger (and better at your work).

[clearedforlanding]

Do whatever the hell you like.

Be mindful that if/when you become more senior, you'll find the world around your career (business) a lot smaller, and people from the past have a habit of popping up at inconvenient moments.

Play by the rules of the contract to the letter, act with decorum, and do not think that burning your bridges because you have found a better contract is a marvellous thing.

Companies merge and get acquired in all tech sectors. Think & play the long game & for ****s sake play business acumen before bravado and pride.

[oliverson]

Speaking as an employer, I'd be pretty miffed if someone did this to me especially if I'd brought them in for a project which had time constraints and I'd certainly be looking at the agency to compensate me for inconvenience caused. IMHO if you are happy to sign a contract then you should stick to it - how would you like it if the agency/client terminated the contract 2 weeks in and didn't stick to the notice period?

Not one bit but it's party of daily life in the banking sector. Fight fire with fire. Business is business.

[northernladuk]

The contractor

FTFY

[LondonManc]

Contact's not what I expected and the work/responsibilities more than I know I can handle. I know that by handing in my notice I will leave team in the tulip with at a critical time in the project with no one to immediately replace me but I couldn't do a month of this

Don't hand your notice in then. Have a word with the key contact at client and explain the situation - that the role isn't as described, you don't feel that you are the best person for the job and wouldn't have taken the role if you knew it was going to be like it is. If you know anyone who can substitute in and do the role, then see if they're interested and if that's an option for the client manager.

[SlipTheJab]

Contact's not what I expected and the work/responsibilities more than I know I can handle. I know that by handing in my notice I will leave team in the tulip with at a critical time in the project with no one to immediately replace me but I couldn't do a month of this

Hand in your notice and be prepared to work it, hopefully the client will let you leave earlier, if not then you need to do the 4 weeks as per your contract. Someone will be along in a bit to tell you to do the same but then phone in sick

[Willy Win]

What's wrong with the contract?

Contact's not what I expected and the work/responsibilities more than I know I can handle. I know that by handing in my notice I will leave team in the tulip with at a critical time in the project with no one to immediately replace me but I couldn't do a month of this

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Notice periods are for permies.

You know what I meant

[Unix]

Speaking as an employer, I'd be pretty miffed if someone did this to me especially if I'd brought them in for a project which had time constraints and I'd certainly be looking at the agency to compensate me for inconvenience caused. IMHO if you are happy to sign a contract then you should stick to it - how would you like it if the agency/client terminated the contract 2 weeks in and didn't stick to the notice period?

If i lied at the interview then I wouldn't have an argument.