Reply to: Awful Contract, see it out? Or do a Rooney?

[StopTheEarthIwantToGetOff]

Not sure I'd advocate saying you didn't gel with the team; the key thing about a contractor is their ability to work with anyone and everyone. Not sure I'd want to recruit someone who doesn't fit with the team unless absolutely necessary as it will only cause pain later on; besides I would hope that successful contractors are gregarious get-on-with-anyone types.....

I agree that as a professional you should employ a friendly and professional attitude with all levels of the clients staff. However if you plain can't stand some of the people you are talking to then you should not try and still be their best mate. Perhaps saying you didnt gel with the team is a bad thing to say and maybe its not. Maybe the manager would appreciate an outsiders opinion of their team? Also he has already been recruited so its a moot point. How would anyone else in the future know what reason he gave for leaving? Is there some kind of secret squirrel level network of managers who all know each other that I don't know about?

Finally I believe that the key thing about a contractor is that they have the skills and experience to get the job done right, being everyones best mate is further down the list.

[kandr]

Not sure I'd advocate saying you didn't gel with the team; the key thing about a contractor is their ability to work with anyone and everyone. Not sure I'd want to recruit someone who doesn't fit with the team unless absolutely necessary as it will only cause pain later on; besides I would hope that successful contractors are gregarious get-on-with-anyone types.....

A contractor is paid to work and output stuff based on the skills they have, not to be everyone's best mate.

[Papavar]

Bit of a latecomer to the thread but I'd probably stick it out. I'm coming to the end of a slightly painful 6-monther myself and facing the prospect of an extension... due to the timing (end Nov) I'm thinking I might grit my teeth for another 3 months then look for a new role next year once the silly season (Xmas and NY) is out the way. Good luck!

[supergal]

not intending to extend mine either , unless 30 % raise... might sound insane but one other contractor got even bigger raise.

[BlasterBates]

I am in the same position, I am sticking it out, but I have already said NO to the extension.

oh so leaving Zürich already.

Is it a bad contract or do you just hate Zürich?

Is London Better?

[BrokenGKey]

....just tell em you are not gelling with the team etc and leave.

Not sure I'd advocate saying you didn't gel with the team; the key thing about a contractor is their ability to work with anyone and everyone. Not sure I'd want to recruit someone who doesn't fit with the team unless absolutely necessary as it will only cause pain later on; besides I would hope that successful contractors are gregarious get-on-with-anyone types.....

[lukemg]

Stay, start looking and chuck some holiday at it. A few days off/a week here and there will shorten a few of the remaining weeks and should make it more bearable.
BUT, make sure you maintain performance while you are there, regardless of the rest of the people, don't get dragged down to that level. You will feel better for it.
Push hard to get something lined up, very easy to fall into renewing due to inertia/lack of immediate offers.

[alreadypacked]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I will probably stick it out and just invoice and do my best given the environment. My next dilemma may be if they offer me an extension, but thats for another day.

I am in the same position, I am sticking it out, but I have already said NO to the extension.

[kandr]

Yeah I will not be taking an extension, unless they drastically change over the next 6 weeks.

[curtis]

Obviously in a situation like this where you only have a week or 2 notice hand it in work it and leave thats what I would do if it was that bad but as you haven't like others have said, if there is a chance you can grin and bare it for the sake of only another 6 weeks then do it and just think of the money every step ot the way as 6 weeks will be over before you know it.

This is why I would never take a contract if I could not get a notice period put in as you never know what its like and it would be a warning sign to me if there was not one that the client could be bad.

In regards to a renewal if its that bad just don't take it. You don't have to and you can then walk away knowing you saw the contract through till the end and find something else.

I was in not so great a contract for my last one I stuck it out 3 months and then they wanted to extend for another 3 and I said 'thanks but no thanks' and it felt great!!

[d000hg]

If it's only a 3-month contract and you are half-way through, just stick it out.

[MarillionFan]

Nothing better than turning down an extension to a contract you hate.

We've all had contracts we've disliked(me more than most). Head down, invoice, swap over at the end.

[kandr]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I will probably stick it out and just invoice and do my best given the environment. My next dilemma may be if they offer me an extension, but thats for another day.

[norrahe]

You're halfway through, stick it out.

Start looking soon and line something up for when you finish.

[SneakySimon]

Stick it out.........unless.....

I have had some awful contracts, only walked out on one but that was hard work - boss demanded I worked my 4 week notice and made me do all kinds of menial rubbish.

I just try to focus on the ££££ and dream of that holiday I will take at the end of the contract!!