Contract - No Contract

[Yonmons]

I'd wager that the agent's statement of "Project on hold, there is now no requirement" actually meant:
"The client initially and reluctantly agreed to wait for you for 3 weeks when there was no one else available, however, we've now found someone who can start when the client actually wants them to start so we no longer require you."

A deliciously ironic display of the client's/agent's "morality" with regard to agreeing a contract with you only to pull it away from under your nose.

Yep !

[billybiro]

There are strong disagreements on CUK - however personally I always feel you should throw a sickie and start the new gig asap. It is not really moral - however you have to look after number one.

WTF does morality have to do with it? This is business. Unless you've done something that directly contravenes your contract then anything goes - even then it's not immoral but a contractual/legal issue. All this talk of "morality" is utter nonsense. You think a client has a "moral" guilt trip when they tell you to either take a rate cut or walk?

Given the OP's situation, I agree about the "sickie" which seems the easiest and quickest way to get himself into the new role (which is the role you now have "loyalty" to in a business sense since it's this new role that provides your income from now on, not the old one).

I'd wager that the agent's statement of "Project on hold, there is now no requirement" actually meant:
"The client initially and reluctantly agreed to wait for you for 3 weeks when there was no one else available, however, we've now found someone who can start when the client actually wants them to start so we no longer require you."

A deliciously ironic display of the client's/agent's "morality" with regard to agreeing a contract with you only to pull it away from under your nose.

[psychocandy]

'Revenge' of the contractor....

Just had a little chat with an agent who told me a contractor had failed to turn up to a very well known client not once, but twice.

We complain bitterly about clients messing us about and cancelling gigs but you seriously have to wonder about the sanity of a contractor who would mess a client about like that.

Yeh I seen that too. Previous client. Nicest people you could work for. No hassle lots of flexibility. Cracking place.
New guy pulled sickie in first week for a day or two, then 2nd week, then just started not turning up randomly. Client was good as gold and was nice to the guy but in the end he just took the p*ss.

[SeanT]

'Revenge' of the contractor....

Just had a little chat with an agent who told me a contractor had failed to turn up to a very well known client not once, but twice.

We complain bitterly about clients messing us about and cancelling gigs but you seriously have to wonder about the sanity of a contractor who would mess a client about like that.

Either the contractor is massively in demand and thus genuinely operating on a commercial supply and demand basis now, or the agent is full of tulip / creaming far too much off the top, or a bit of both...?

[Elliegirl]

'Revenge' of the contractor....

Just had a little chat with an agent who told me a contractor had failed to turn up to a very well known client not once, but twice.

We complain bitterly about clients messing us about and cancelling gigs but you seriously have to wonder about the sanity of a contractor who would mess a client about like that.

[MrMarkyMark]

Like BPs comment lol.

Things like this happen. I had similar....
Offered local gig on phone - they told me they'd wait 3 or 4 weeks. For personal reasons I wanted to take this. Local people at current gig were fine, but manager at head office was a right awkward git. Lots of hassle but we got it to three weeks.

So I tell the agency, they phone the client who tells them "Ah we decided we didnt want to wait and offered gig to someone else". Agencies fault as well because they obviously didnt keep on top of it, allied with young guy at client who thought he was bertie big bollox and could hire and fire who he wanted. I was not impressed at all.

Of course, stayed at current client after all. But card was marked with that manager after that. I left anyway because it was PS but I doubt I had much more of a future.

You could have just provided a link.

I thought your write up was far better on the other post.

[psychocandy]

Like BPs comment lol.

Things like this happen. I had similar....
Offered local gig on phone - they told me they'd wait 3 or 4 weeks. For personal reasons I wanted to take this. Local people at current gig were fine, but manager at head office was a right awkward git. Lots of hassle but we got it to three weeks.

So I tell the agency, they phone the client who tells them "Ah we decided we didnt want to wait and offered gig to someone else". Agencies fault as well because they obviously didnt keep on top of it, allied with young guy at client who thought he was bertie big bollox and could hire and fire who he wanted. I was not impressed at all.

Of course, stayed at current client after all. But card was marked with that manager after that. I left anyway because it was PS but I doubt I had much more of a future.

[SueEllen]

There are strong disagreements on CUK - however personally I always feel you should throw a sickie and start the new gig asap. It is not really moral - however you have to look after number one.

They can and do pull projects early so that wouldn't make a difference.

[quackhandle]

Ah that's a pi$$er, chalk it up to experience and move on.

qh

[BrilloPad]

There are strong disagreements on CUK - however personally I always feel you should throw a sickie and start the new gig asap. It is not really moral - however you have to look after number one.

[northernladuk]

Such is the way of contracting. Trying to dovetail gigs with 4 weeks notice is always going to be a challenge. We've said this to the perm guys for a long time and it seems (although rather oddly) it is the same advice for contractors. You nearly got there but sadly didn't. Such is life. On to the next one.

[MrMarkyMark]

Very bad luck.

I suggest you dust the CV down and get looking

[Gru]

Current contract was due to run until end of August.

Advised by manager that things are very thin on the ground so on the 'QT' i'd be wise to look for something else.

Found something else for a household name. Good money and not a bad commute (albeit London). New job wanted me to start in a week. Current company said no as I am contracted for 4 weeks notice but 'as there is a Bank Holiday you can go in 1 week 4 days.

New company pushed back initially .....but then agreed a start date of 2 weeks. Finally old contract then says....about that 2 weeks. Lets make it 3 as the guy we want you to hand over to is on holiday.

Spoke to new agent. Cue lots of grief and calls but in the end new client said ok. "3 weeks but that's the max"

Contracts all received, signed etc and was just awaiting start time and location for day one. I was due to start later this week.

Gets a call from new agent this morning..............."About that project. It's now on hold and is unlikely to go ahead so sorry but there is now no requirement"

Basically I've put myself out of work. Spoke to current client and they said "sorry but we have found a permanent person that you are to handover to starting today (He's been away on holiday)"