Contract cut short.

[xchaotic]

Thanks for all replies.

First of all it made me feel better that I'm not alone with this and it is in fact quite typical (albeit bit immature) behaviour.

I've had nothing but good experiences with people in this ClientCo for over 12 months and I think it's only the recent recession panic that caused the irrational behaviour.

So I have decided to hand the work over nicely as I'm sure they're stressed enough already, if they need to cut contractors short.

[Ivor Bigun]

Depends on what you mean by good opinion... after all, they promised a non-existent extension and are now slinging you out on your arse.

Have you thought that this 'extra week' that you seem to think is a nice gesture so that you can finish your work is just so they can get everything they need out of you

Agreed.
After doing this "gesture" thing once, I'd never do it again.
Maintain good terms throughout but negotiate 4 weeks or you leave.
- If it comes off, you'll feel great.
- If they say no, then then you're better off out of there (they've let you down anyway).
- If you do the 10 days, it will annoy you in the future that you took the money instead of "opening the box".
.

[Beefy198]

Interesting approach, but you suggestion costs me 10 days of billable time and doesn't sound very right. Isn't it better to leave a good opinion about yourself.

Depends on what you mean by good opinion... after all, they promised a non-existent extension and are now slinging you out on your arse.

Have you thought that this 'extra week' that you seem to think is a nice gesture so that you can finish your work is just so they can get everything they need out of you

[xchaotic]

Professor Turion of Contactor College says:-
Advice:

Do not sign 1 week extention. Demand 4 weeks minimum. If refused, walk. (if they really need you they'll find the money)

Interesting approach, but you suggestion costs me 10 days of billable time and doesn't sound very right. Isn't it better to leave a good opinion about yourself.

I'm kind of glad to hear many stories like that, but I'm sure it's not exactly a pleasant experience to be let go.

Swings and roundabouts mate et al.

I'm certain you're right and I'm already pimping myself through agents or directly too.

I'm just a little worried about how much bench time does that mean for me...

[expat]

... it's that rollercoaster stop-start herd-of-headless-chickens behaviour that makes contracting the thriving business it is.

But as Scooby says, sometimes being dropped by a client is seen later as the best thing that ever happened to you (Hi Standard Chartered Bank sorry I stayed so long ).

[Turion]

Professor Turion of Contactor College says:-

Synopsis:

"The OP clearly made the wrong call. He had an offer, and a chance to gain a new client and possibly new wider ranging skills....and then blew it because he listened to bulltripe from a manager. He took the 'soft option' bait of the 'phoney extension'. Only it clearly wasn't safe as the manager knew all along what would happen. The manager was only interested in getting a specific piece of work done, before disposing of you"

Advice:

Do not sign 1 week extention. Demand 4 weeks minimum. If refused, walk. (if they really need you they'll find the money)

[scooby]

contract prior to this, i was being lined up to work on a demerger with a 12mth extension. A week in to November a hostile take over happened and was given my 4wks. i was out early december.

I then had a week monging around and went for an interview. was offered 6mths while walking out of door with next start, at the 6mth was extended by 18mths.

Best thing that ever happened to me was being dropped by last client. Swings and roundabouts mate.

[darmstadt]

In December last year my contryct still had until February to run too. My agent told me I would then have an extension until February 2010. 5 days later all contracts were terminated end of December. Standard procedure these days it seems. NTAA.

[Liability]

Yes, it is annoying in the short term. But in the long term, it's that rollercoaster stop-start herd-of-headless-chickens behaviour that makes contracting the thriving business it is.

well said

You know which Bank comes to mind? Barclays - i love that outfit - cull contrators and 6 months later they take on a HUGE load - they do make me laugh.

[thunderlizard]

Yes, it is annoying in the short term. But in the long term, it's that rollercoaster stop-start herd-of-headless-chickens behaviour that makes contracting the thriving business it is.

[TykeMerc]

Sadly this sort of thing happens to us all, it's annoying, but part of the joys of contracting.

[TheFaQQer]

Last year, everyone on the last project was extended by six months (twenty something contractors).

Four months later, there are five left

[xchaotic]

Well before Christmas I had a chat with a manager in the client co and he assured me that my contract would get extended by another 3 months, just like it normally were before.
So, liking the place, I turned down another offer.
Due to Christmas and everybody being away, nothing got done, but I was assured that this was due to Christmas and that it would get extend normally.

Yesterday I was told that they have no budget anymore and the extension would be just one month - I felt this was okay the notice is four weeks on both sides, and today they eventually extended but only until 16th.

I understand that since that is a new contract that no notice applies and it's actually a gesture so I can finish my work.

But from my perspective it sucks, I turned down a very decent offer just 10 days ago and since I'm specialising in a niche skill (XSL, XSD etc) I'm not very likely to get a new gig on a short notice, given the economic climate

Just happy to have a place like this to vent my frustration, perhaps you'll join me in sharing such stories.