contract offer

[craig1]

Loyalty to companies? My contract is ending on Friday, I had several emails from the client (top IB) reassuring me I am to be extended, the agency prepared all the paper work and was told its all going through, suddenly on Thurs I was told they are changing their mind, lovely, only few days notice and I didn’t bother looking for roles all this time as I had several promises both verbal and in writing.

I learnt a long time ago that companies have no qualms about getting rid of anyone, so I have no idea why contractors feel so guilty about giving a proper (professional ) notice for dissolving the contract, companies would do this without any hesitation, why should we as the other parties in the contact not be entitled to the same thing? They put their company’s interest first, and should we.. we need to put the interest of out Ltd company first too.

I see where you're coming from there and I always start looking seriously a month before contract end unless I've had a formal extension offer. What the thread is talking about though is walking out mid way through a contract. Contractors will always have a rougher time going up against big companies but, for me, much of what makes a well-paid, well-utilised contractor is reputation, they hold all the shots, if they get rid of you then that's expected, if you walk early then it's a black mark against your reputation unless you've got a better excuse than "I wanted more money closer to home".

That said, reputation also works against companies though. Come the market revival, I can name a good few very large companies that are going to desperately struggle to find part-way competent contractors who want to work for them because their reputation is so poor. I'm already fed up of agencies calling me almost pleading with me to allow them to send my CV to one such company based in Norfolk.

[zamzummim]

In fact what they did with me is not as bad as the other developers (I am a BA) for the developers both of them their contract expired, and both got renewed for another 6 months, then within 2 into their renewal both got notice served, the end of the notice coincided with the going live date!!

[zamzummim]

Loyalty to companies? My contract is ending on Friday, I had several emails from the client (top IB) reassuring me I am to be extended, the agency prepared all the paper work and was told its all going through, suddenly on Thurs I was told they are changing their mind, lovely, only few days notice and I didn’t bother looking for roles all this time as I had several promises both verbal and in writing.

I learnt a long time ago that companies have no qualms about getting rid of anyone, so I have no idea why contractors feel so guilty about giving a proper (professional ) notice for dissolving the contract, companies would do this without any hesitation, why should we as the other parties in the contact not be entitled to the same thing? They put their company’s interest first, and should we.. we need to put the interest of out Ltd company first too.

[jmo21]

I'd disagree with the points about contractors not needing loyalty. Over the years, at least 2/3rds of my work has come from repeat work, referrals or interviews swung by name dropping people the interviewer knows who he can have an informal chat about me with. If you repeatedly jump ship or leave the client high and dry for a few extra £ a day then it gets known, especially if you're in a small market or go for one particular client type.

That said, I've always believed contracting is the best way to get what you want out of life, if that for you is being able to chop and change jobs as you please then leaving a contract for a better one may be the right choice.

I agree with this, especially in a depressed market.

I always prefer to extend a contract if the client wants to, even if it means waiting til the last minute, and it would take something extreme for me not to (or leave a contract early).

[craig1]

I'd disagree with the points about contractors not needing loyalty. Over the years, at least 2/3rds of my work has come from repeat work, referrals or interviews swung by name dropping people the interviewer knows who he can have an informal chat about me with. If you repeatedly jump ship or leave the client high and dry for a few extra £ a day then it gets known, especially if you're in a small market or go for one particular client type.

That said, I've always believed contracting is the best way to get what you want out of life, if that for you is being able to chop and change jobs as you please then leaving a contract for a better one may be the right choice.

[Support Monkey]

I disagree with both yourself and Tyke.

Your concept of loyalty is misplaced. I would not suggest you walk from a contract but if you have a notice period on a contract then if needs be use it to take something better.

As much as the concept that contractors are a 'business' in truth we are all individuals and so personal decisions especially around travel should be considered.

Totally agree its one thing to be loyal when you have a good contract but at the end of the day its just that a contract, if clients or agents want integrity and loyalty they should employ a permie instead as its the very nature of contracting thats the contractor may leave or be asked to leave at short notice and you have to look after number one (cos thats what agents and clients do), so check out the notice period, look at substitution or try and negotiate less days to fit in both but if all else fails do what you have to do for your situation.

I think we are gonna see alot more people jumping ship anyway as all those people who have been benched for a while and then took lesser paid contracts the minute they see a better rate there gonna jump regardless.

[nomadd]

I am an individual ...and brilliant at what I do ...with the knowledge that I come first

So, and insular, arrogant, self-centred egoist.

I predict a bright future for you in contracting. You should fit in perfectly.

[MarillionFan]

And as commendable as your
professionalism is, it is at best naive.

I look to maximise my earnings combined with travelling time. If benched I would take a lesser role to ensure cash rolls in. I would ensure that I negotiate proper break clauses and would use them if a much better role came along.

I have never had to fight against preconceived ideas of contractors. I am an individual, professional and brilliant at what I do, but coupled with the knowledge that I
come first and the client comes second.

[TykeMerc]

I disagree with both yourself and Tyke.

Your concept of loyalty is misplaced. I would not suggest you walk from a contract but if you have a notice period on a contract then if needs be use it to take something better.

For me it's nothing to do with any concept of loyalty, it's all about professional and personal integrity.

I'm fed up with the image many clients have of contractors being unreliable and likely to bail for something marginally better, it's a perception that I've had to fight against for far more years than I'd care to admit. I've lost track of the number of places I've worked where the permies have a jaundiced view of all contractors and no doubt it's one of the reasons that contract terms and conditions have become more restrictive.

Obviously it's a morality and integrity issue that's entirely up to the individual contractor so views are bound to differ, mine is to see contracts through to the end barring extreme circumstances.

[MarillionFan]

Totally WHS. I have seen other belters pop up that would have beaten the one I am on hands down but I am not unhappy with current rate or commute so will see it though.

I disagree with both yourself and Tyke.

Your concept of loyalty is misplaced. I would not suggest you walk from a contract but if you have a notice period on a contract then if needs be use it to take something better.

As much as the concept that contractors are a 'business' in truth we are all individuals and so personal decisions especially around travel should be considered.

[northernladuk]

Since you've posted about the roles you're seeking opinions, mine is that a contractor should see out a contract to the end of the term except in fairly extreme circumstances.

Totally WHS. I have seen other belters pop up that would have beaten the one I am on hands down but I am not unhappy with current rate or commute so will see it though.

[RichardCranium]

Is there any way you can do both?

Say to CurrentCo "I have to commute / winter / whatever can I do the same hours but over 4 days?" It has been fairly common practice on the SC sites I've worked at. Better still, can you commit to their deadlines doing 4 days' worth of hours in 3 days a week?

What is required for the 'closer to home' client? Any chance of doing the gig with one long day on site and one long day at home, equalling 3 days' worth of hours?

Others have pulled this off, allegedly.

[TykeMerc]

Since you've posted about the roles you're seeking opinions, mine is that a contractor should see out a contract to the end of the term except in fairly extreme circumstances.

[beoptima]

I was just contacted by an employer whom I have worked with before and clsoer to my home with an offer.I'm in dilemma now as I'm in a sc cleared role and don't know if it is worth leaving it..obviosuly we have been noticing that there will be cuts in govt projects in future..the offer made by my previous employer has slightly lesser rate(£15 less) but it is closer to home