Reply to: Contract Renewal via email

[kookachoo]

That sounds like the intro to Big Brother...

<cack geordie accent>
Day 4 in kookachoo's new gig, and he's already spent £100 online in the House Of Fraser sale...
</cack geordie accent>

LOL... I could start a Big Brother style thread in my 3 month countdown if you like to tell you all how I've survived at keeping myself amused?!

[BrianSnail]

Can't be as crap as my current gig! I'm on day 4 and already spent £100 online in the House Of Fraser sale!

That sounds like the intro to Big Brother...

<cack geordie accent>
Day 4 in kookachoo's new gig, and he's already spent £100 online in the House Of Fraser sale...
</cack geordie accent>

[kookachoo]

Sorry, what I should have said is "its crap here" lol ..

Can't be as crap as my current gig! I'm on day 4 and already spent £100 online in the House Of Fraser sale!

[mky21]

Rub it in!!

Sorry, what I should have said is "its crap here" lol ..

[kookachoo]

I have worked at both sites, the 12 month contract is better terms, higher rate, better technology, better management .. and the list goes on

Rub it in!!

[mky21]

If you're cut out for something better then yes. 10 years ago I could have stayed in a nice £15/hr support role. Instead, I left and during a challenging 4 years learnt java and then got into SAP.

I never accepted a renewal unless it advanced my cause. I never let a few months on the bench deflect me, never let agents, clients and other numpties stop me. You see, I saw what people were earning doing SAP, knew I could be doing it and got there. Been doing it 6 years now.. Never looked back

I am affraid that I also agree with this .. better technology, chance to skill up on the latest kit makes me more marketable in the long term .. wife and kids to support .. blah blah

[mky21]

Would it really be so terrible to stay ?

Ive never turned down extensions - I always feel a little flattered.

Better the Devil you know ....

I have worked at both sites, the 12 month contract is better terms, higher rate, better technology, better management .. and the list goes on

[mky21]

Thanks for all of your replies, this certainly raised some of the same thoughts that I have been having .. i.e. They could if they wanted to try to enforce the extension as I have actually said I would accept in an email .. although, the actual terms given by the agent are ambigous i.e. the use the words "I beleive an extension has been offered" .. So, that could be argued.

I have no issues in staying. This whole situation comes out of poor timing of a better role (4 months vs 12 months) which I thought had died a death, so I said I would renew, and then it landed on my desk yesterday .. and also that I believed that I had to sign and return a contract extension with the specific contract dates on it to accept the extension .. otherwise, what is the point of them sending it, me signing it and sending it back .. there is no point when an email will do right ?

I would prefer the 12 month role in these hard time though, who wouldn't ..

I have discussed with the agent this morning, and they are of the same opinion that I have not actually accepted the extension, so all is well .. I just wanted to know what the implications were ..

Cheers All
Mark

[AlfredJPruffock]

If you're cut out for something better then yes. 10 years ago I could have stayed in a nice £15/hr support role. Instead, I left and during a challenging 4 years learnt java and then got into SAP.

I never accepted a renewal unless it advanced my cause. I never let a few months on the bench deflect me, never let agents, clients and other numpties stop me. You see, I saw what people were earning doing SAP, knew I could be doing it and got there. Been doing it 6 years now.. Never looked back

Yes I recall once when I too was ambitious.

I'm far mote content now I have bid adieu to Ambition.

The trouble with Ambition - is that youre never left feeling satisfied - its always just out to reach.

Nowadays I prefer just helping people to get their wee computer problems fixed helping ailing IT systems etc


But - whatever you do - good luck to you !

I reached the top - and I had to stop - and thats whats bothering me ..,

[Turion]

Would it really be so terrible to stay ?.

If you're cut out for something better then yes. 10 years ago I could have stayed in a nice £15/hr support role. Instead, I left and during a challenging 4 years learnt java and then got into SAP.

I never accepted a renewal unless it advanced my cause. I never let a few months on the bench deflect me, never let agents, clients and other numpties stop me. You see, I saw what people were earning doing SAP, knew I could be doing it and got there. Been doing it 6 years now.. Never looked back

[AlfredJPruffock]

Would it really be so terrible to stay ?

Ive never turned down extensions - I always feel a little flattered.

Better the Devil you know ....

[cojak]

Never reply to extension email unless you definitely want it.

You don't have to do or say anything until the last day.

[Turion]

OK, so let's assume he has legally accepted the extension. This is what he can do to get out of it:

1) Use your sub clause

2) Give immediate notice. If he has a notice clause, then use it now. Client probably won't want him to stay if he's going soon anyway.

3) Clients don't like reluctant workers. Show the attitude and they'll show you the door.

4) Go sick, hurt your back, get a sick note for a month and don't turn up. Client will send get well card with notice of termination

5) If you're a drama queen, when the big knobs do their weekly trawl around the office, jump on your desk, expose your crown jewels and hoot like a coot.

etc, etc ....Basically, if you wanna leave, then leave.

[pmeswani]

It looks to me like you have accepted the extension, in writing.

Oops, I missed that line.

[centurian]

It looks to me like you have accepted the extension, in writing.

Yeah, was this the exact wording you used.

"so I looks like I will accept the extension here"
"so I will probabaly accept the extension here"
"so I will have to accept the extension here"

All have a degree of ambiguity, but "so I will accept the extension here" seems pretty clear as to what you mean.

Of course, whether the agency would really try and pursue you for this is another matter. Clearly their first play is to try and get you to just shrug and accept it.