Reply to: Not allowed to give notice?

[billybiro]

You have erected a straw man.
All I’m saying is that leaving a client in breach of contract is unprofessional and may well harm your future contracting opportunities.
You can disagree all you like... but IMO you’re wrong.
As for the OP... My original suggestion was to leave as they were going pemie so somewhat less relevant.

Fair enough, we have strayed off point somewhat.

Of course, you're entitled to believe that leaving a client in breach of contract is unprofessional and "may well harm your future contracting opportunities", but understand that that is merely your opinion. There's a number of other people on here, who having "been there and done that" themselves, will say the exact opposite, that such behaviour won't harm your future contracting opportunities.

As for it being "unprofessional". Well, maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but then so too is it "unprofessional" when a client demands contractors take a 20% rate cut 6 weeks into the gig or walk. Yes, yes, we all know it's the client's prerogative to do this since they're holding the money etc. but that doesn't make it any less unprofessional.

I just think it's important to get some balance here from those, such as yourself, who will assert that such future opportunities absolutely will be negatively affected when there's absolutely no guarantee of that.

Clearly, YMMV. Caveat emptor, but there's no definitive right or wrong here.

[Lance]

Knowing people directly isn't what we're talking about here. Once you've worked with someone, and done a good job, it's a given that they'll consider you again for future work. But that doesn't get you the very first gig, when you're unknown to the client, does it?

Here, we're talking about the kind of reputation that precedes you. Like the reputation within business of companies like IBM, SAP, Microsoft, Oracle, Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services et al. Companies that will have their services engaged by clients without said client directly knowing anyone, personally, within the company.

Have you ever been so engaged?

You have erected a straw man.
All I’m saying is that leaving a client in breach of contract is unprofessional and may well harm your future contracting opportunities.
You can disagree all you like... but IMO you’re wrong.
As for the OP... My original suggestion was to leave as they were going pemie so somewhat less relevant.

[billybiro]

FFS. Of course there was. It's about reputation. You need to know people.
Not sure what planet you're on that makes you think you can treat customers like tulip and it never come back to you. It's a small world.

Knowing people directly isn't what we're talking about here. Once you've worked with someone, and done a good job, it's a given that they'll consider you again for future work. But that doesn't get you the very first gig, when you're unknown to the client, does it?

Here, we're talking about the kind of reputation that precedes you. Like the reputation within business of companies like IBM, SAP, Microsoft, Oracle, Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services et al. Companies that will have their services engaged by clients without said client directly knowing anyone, personally, within the company.

Have you ever been so engaged?

[Old Greg]

I'm guessing you don't breach your contracts very often?

I don't have contracts. My company does.

[Lance]

I haven't had an interview for a contract for 7 years.

I'm guessing you don't breach your contracts very often?

[Old Greg]

Just 3. Out of 6....

I haven't had an interview for a contract for 7 years.

[Eirikur]

I suppose you can send a sub?

[Lance]

And within those 3 clients there was no person (either staff member or other contractor) with whom you had had any previous dealings?

FFS. Of course there was. It's about reputation. You need to know people.
Not sure what planet you're on that makes you think you can treat customers like tulip and it never come back to you. It's a small world.

[billybiro]

Just 3. Out of 6....

And within those 3 clients there was no person (either staff member or other contractor) with whom you had had any previous dealings?

[Hobosapien]

Moving between clients without interview becomes easier if the personnel that are doing the hiring are also moving between those clients. Particularly if they are contractors too and you had a good relationship with them while in the same 'working away from home during the week' boat.

It may be a merit based form of nepotism but that's what networking is all about.

[Lance]

Yes, probably for clients for whom you have previously done work.

Tell me. Exactly how many clients, whom you have never previously worked for, have both known who you are and are willing to engage your services, without interview, on the strength of your reputation alone?

Just 3. Out of 6....

[billybiro]

It is.

And I don't always interview.

Yes, probably for clients for whom you have previously done work.

Tell me. Exactly how many clients, whom you have never previously worked for, have both known who you are and are willing to engage your services, without interview, on the strength of your reputation alone?

[Lance]

You seem to think that this is somehow a reputation based business. It isn't. If it were, we wouldn't have to "interview" with the clients for every contract.

It is.

And I don't always interview.

[billybiro]

It isn't good practise to just walk and reflects badly on you as a contractor.

You seem to think that this is somehow a reputation based business. It isn't. If it were, we wouldn't have to "interview" with the clients for every contract.

To the OP. The one thing that you can safely give the least consideration to when walking from a gig is the perceived impact on your "reputation". Sure, you may burn a bridge with that particular client, however, in terms of overall career impact, there'll be very little.

[billybiro]

Whatever you do you need to be sure this permie offer is solid and you will not have second thoughts as you will likely burn at least a couple of bridges (client and agency) so returning to contracting later if need references from either of them may be tricky.

But do not worry about a potential burnt bridge with the agency since if they think they can make money from you in the future, the fact that you've shat on them today will be very quickly forgiven and forgotten.