Premature end

[washed up contractor]

What are the thoughts on leaving a gig prematurely?

If you worked in a relatively niche area and had been at a client for a reasonable period of time, but in addition to the realisation that they are rather dysfunctional in several key areas with no real likelihood or prospect of improvement, you have a better paid and more interesting opportunity arise? Consider that opportunities in said niche area are obviously less frequent, thus they demand serious consideration, but this is set against an upcoming project with existing client that could potentially be impacted by leaving, though not by as much as they might think.
Asking for a friend.

Asking for a friend, ho ho. Given the state of the testing market,(presuming you are in testing?) Id be very wary of leaving a role without anything lined up to go to. You may be in a geographic area where the testing market is very strong but if not, you could either be benched for some time or face having to stay a considerable distance from home.

[northernladuk]

Bar the rare case of extenuating circumstances - people who leave early probably don't want to return I would have thought.

Nah not at all. Depends on the circumstances and there are plenty of those that would mean a return could be desirable/possible.

[1manshow]

Make sure the gig is in the bag rather than leave on a speculative punt. Unless you're happy to have some bench time.

I have left gigs before the term is up and, as others have noted, it's all about HOW you leave. Be professional and courteous. Do a good quality hand over. If you leave on good terms, there's always a chance they'll ask you back in the future.

Bar the rare case of extenuating circumstances - people who leave early probably don't want to return I would have thought.

[BatteryTester]

Have you asked your doctor?

Yeah, he gave my friend a couple of options, 1) think about Jacob Rees-Mogg, or 2) ask a bunch of successful contractors on a public internet forum.

Make sure the gig is in the bag rather than leave on a speculative punt. Unless you're happy to have some bench time.

I have left gigs before the term is up and, as others have noted, it's all about HOW you leave. Be professional and courteous. Do a good quality hand over. If you leave on good terms, there's always a chance they'll ask you back in the future.

That's what I advised him as well. A good hand over, even possibly going back for follow up day or two if it works for all concerned.

[PerfectStorm]

Have you asked your doctor?

[northernladuk]

I thought this was a thread about MF's sex life.

[ladymuck]

Make sure the gig is in the bag rather than leave on a speculative punt. Unless you're happy to have some bench time.

I have left gigs before the term is up and, as others have noted, it's all about HOW you leave. Be professional and courteous. Do a good quality hand over. If you leave on good terms, there's always a chance they'll ask you back in the future.

[BatteryTester]

Leave.

But keep it classy. Hand over well. Offer to make yourself available after contract ends for the odd day if they need your friend's niche expertise or to hand over to a new resource.

Almost exactly sums up what my friend was considering.

[unixman]

Serving notice on the contract (if this is what you are considering) is best avoided, but is always an option. I did it once only, giving up on a gig I wasn't enjoying, 80 miles from home, for another, lower paid role 10 miles from home.

[Old Greg]

What are the thoughts on leaving a gig prematurely?

If you worked in a relatively niche area and had been at a client for a reasonable period of time, but in addition to the realisation that they are rather dysfunctional in several key areas with no real likelihood or prospect of improvement, you have a better paid and more interesting opportunity arise? Consider that opportunities in said niche area are obviously less frequent, thus they demand serious consideration, but this is set against an upcoming project with existing client that could potentially be impacted by leaving, though not by as much as they might think.
Asking for a friend.

Leave.

But keep it classy. Hand over well. Offer to make yourself available after contract ends for the odd day if they need your friend's niche expertise or to hand over to a new resource.

[BatteryTester]

What are the thoughts on leaving a gig prematurely?

If you worked in a relatively niche area and had been at a client for a reasonable period of time, but in addition to the realisation that they are rather dysfunctional in several key areas with no real likelihood or prospect of improvement, you have a better paid and more interesting opportunity arise? Consider that opportunities in said niche area are obviously less frequent, thus they demand serious consideration, but this is set against an upcoming project with existing client that could potentially be impacted by leaving, though not by as much as they might think.
Asking for a friend.