Contract/Project Notice period

[sunflower]

Hi

If the stability of a permanent job makes you feel better, you are doing the right thing by looking around for a new opportunity. However, in this day and age, permanent jobs are not always secure.

I know what you mean about feeling guilty when you get on with your colleagues and client manager at the project. I've stuck projects I did not like so much out of a sense of duty and not wanting to leave the client in a tricky position. That's easier when you know the end date is in sight. A project can be horrible one week, but wait another couple and you can get something really cool to do.

If you chat with your client manager, you can explain that your personal circumstances and wanting to have a family led you to seek a permanent role. People will understand your motivation.

You can always offer them the possibility to email or call you if they have questions about the work you were doing once you have left.

Another way to test the water with working for yourself, perm contract terms permitting, is to offer some services part-time. For example, if you were skilled in websites, you could offer a development service for local companies, create mobile apps if that grabs you or assist with technical writing. It will give you something to do when you are at home in future watching the baby. Perhaps you could give evening classes in IT at a local college? Who knows, maybe your business sideline might take off, but if it did not, you still have your permanent job.

Good luck

[farout117]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and to contracting, so please bare with me. :-)

I work for a limited company (not mine), on a rolling contract basis (with 1 month notice period).

I'm unhappy with the format of the work and a recent project has really put me off (I like the guys I work in the ltd company, and the product, but I don't like the project, format, contracting itself), and it's making me quite unhappy, and has actually started effecting my health (stress/panic and still in my early 20's!).

The reasons for leaving have out-wieghed the reasons for staying (only the fact I like my direct employers and I like the products). As it will look like the project will continue for sometime, where do I stand in leaving "half-way through" (the project contract has a 2-week notice period). I have P.I insurance and so does the company for the project, but are there any other legal complications that people have experienced?

Thanks,

TauntaunHerder

Are you sure you are a cut out for contracting? The fact that you like the guys you work it is a big plus! You will not always like the project, or the technology, but that is why contracting exists in the first place. If it is affecting your health at 20, then seriously, you need to get out of contracting and get a perm job where you like the project and the people you work with. Life is too short to spend it stressing out or worrying, and not everyone is cut out for contracting. Maybe you could try it in 5-6 years time, you're still young!

[TauntaunHerder]

You don't want this lot to bare with you.

Ha! Sorry about that... well some may like it. HAHA! Spelling was never my strong point (that's why I work in IT where there's a spell-check (except in scripting)).

... BEAR*

[speling bee]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and to contracting, so please bare with me. :-)

I work for a limited company (not mine), on a rolling contract basis (with 1 month notice period).

I'm unhappy with the format of the work and a recent project has really put me off (I like the guys I work in the ltd company, and the product, but I don't like the project, format, contracting itself), and it's making me quite unhappy, and has actually started effecting my health (stress/panic and still in my early 20's!).

The reasons for leaving have out-wieghed the reasons for staying (only the fact I like my direct employers and I like the products). As it will look like the project will continue for sometime, where do I stand in leaving "half-way through" (the project contract has a 2-week notice period). I have P.I insurance and so does the company for the project, but are there any other legal complications that people have experienced?

Thanks,

TauntaunHerder

You don't want this lot to bare with you.

[captainham]

...I don't like the project, format, contracting itself...

Deffo do yourself a favour and hand your notice in, get out, and look for permie work...or perhaps looks for permie work whilst sticking at the contract if you can manage that, at least you'll have some income then and I'm assuming only 4 weeks notice or so?

Just picked up my first contract, nice long 18 month one, however it's a bit of a shambles, delays already, etc, and I wouldn't be surprised if I get canned in a few months' time...but that's just the way it goes, not worth stressing about the uncertainty otherwise I've definitely chosen wrong as a contractor!

[TauntaunHerder]

Thanks for responses...

Thanks for the responses guys, they're helpful.

I'm currently looking for a new (permanent) role, as my main concern would be the lack of work, and that I wouldn't be able to "live" (as the money is not enough to take any real down-time)... it won't be long till I look at starting a family (I'm already getting the questions from her at home) and that would only add to worries if the work is coming through slowly.

Seeing my worth to some of these potential new roles, has really helped me re-evaluate my situation (which when I looked for a role previously, there was little about or not nearly as much interest in me). I'm not leaving until I have something, and will stick to the project and perform to my best. I just don't think I'm ready to do it long term, and I agree with "psychocandy"... I really quickly began the whole routine of not switching off after the day's commute in the evening and on weekends, and I did start pushing away my family, not a good move.

Northernladuk, nothing in stone yet, still early stages of looking for permie work. The director(s)... I would class them as good people, I've only known them since taking the role (so I guess the answer would be professional relationship)...

I haven't spoken to them about it, I wouldn't want to until something looks certain on new job front, as I would not want to burn my bridges and not have a contract renewal (I need to pay the bills at the end of the day). I've not formerly seen the cut, however I know (through word of mouth, and mis-direction of certain emails/questions/answers) it will probably be the larger percent of the day rate paid by the client, which I understand to a certain extent as they need to recoup some of their money they paid me when they weren't being paid for work/training (until I started earning my worth), but I think at my estimates this would have been covered by now.

Not looking forward to the "I want to leave" coversation, have an extremely overly-guilty conscience (for no particular reason). I've struggled with that conversation in every role (even temp/part time roles through college/uni etc. where they expect it more)

[northernladuk]

If this stresses you out so will a long term on the bench with no warchest and your house on the line. You need to get a permie job quick.

Just out of interest what does the director of the LTD you work through think about this? I would guess he is taking a cut and would be messing him about as well. Is he a mate or is it a pure business setup?

Serve your notice and leave. The fact you are even stressing about leaving says a lot.

[Jase]

So, bottom line, if you really want to leave - do it. Stuff them and what they think. I'll bet you million poind that if, suddenly, they decided they had to make cuts, you'd be out of the door in minutes if it suited them and they wouldnt give a toss about you.

The earlier you realise this, the better your life will be. Current client has just cut my contract short, from the end of the year to the end of this month. I don't disagree with the decision and it is the nature of contracting. However, it has cemented my view that I will never put employer / client needs before most things in my life. Happy to work hard and be flexible, but only to the extent it is not (severely) detrimental to the important things in my life.

Jase.

[psychocandy]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and to contracting, so please bare with me. :-)

I work for a limited company (not mine), on a rolling contract basis (with 1 month notice period).

I'm unhappy with the format of the work and a recent project has really put me off (I like the guys I work in the ltd company, and the product, but I don't like the project, format, contracting itself), and it's making me quite unhappy, and has actually started effecting my health (stress/panic and still in my early 20's!).

The reasons for leaving have out-wieghed the reasons for staying (only the fact I like my direct employers and I like the products). As it will look like the project will continue for sometime, where do I stand in leaving "half-way through" (the project contract has a 2-week notice period). I have P.I insurance and so does the company for the project, but are there any other legal complications that people have experienced?

Thanks,

TauntaunHerder

So have you got anything else lined up?

Might be a lot more stress if you aint got any money coming in....

I used to be like you when I was young. Yeh, its tough not to let things at work bother you but, seriously mate, take it from someone whos been through it all, if you let work affect your health your going to be doomed.

Make sure you put things in the following priority order:-

Yourself, family etc
.
.
Your cat :-)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Employer/client

Employers/client dont give a stuff about you at the end of the day. Not even a smidgeon. Believe me. By all means go to work and give your best but at the end of the day, dont even think about putting them anywhere before yourself, family,friends etc in terms of importance.

I had a similar thing once. Worked for a big multi-national and the manager was a complete miserable twat. Other team members were great, work was easy enough etc, money was good, but this fella just ground you down eventually (permies were scared of him!). I ended up taking an extension and working there a year but in the end couldnt cope any more and declined an extension.

So, bottom line, if you really want to leave - do it. Stuff them and what they think. I'll bet you million poind that if, suddenly, they decided they had to make cuts, you'd be out of the door in minutes if it suited them and they wouldnt give a toss about you.

[SueEllen]

Maybe chat with them about your reasons for being unhappy, a lot of the time employer's do not notice or care but if they like you then they may do something about it.

They aren't your employer's they are your client.

As you are providing a service to them they don't give a damn about your welfare legally.

[Payso]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and to contracting, so please bare with me. :-)

I work for a limited company (not mine), on a rolling contract basis (with 1 month notice period).

I'm unhappy with the format of the work and a recent project has really put me off (I like the guys I work in the ltd company, and the product, but I don't like the project, format, contracting itself), and it's making me quite unhappy, and has actually started effecting my health (stress/panic and still in my early 20's!).

The reasons for leaving have out-wieghed the reasons for staying (only the fact I like my direct employers and I like the products). As it will look like the project will continue for sometime, where do I stand in leaving "half-way through" (the project contract has a 2-week notice period). I have P.I insurance and so does the company for the project, but are there any other legal complications that people have experienced?

Thanks,

TauntaunHerder

If you have a 2 week notice period and you are really unhappy then serve your notice and state reasons why.

Being contracted for a length of time does not mean it must be served. It's not a prison sentence.

Maybe chat with them about your reasons for being unhappy, a lot of the time employer's do not notice or care but if they like you then they may do something about it.

[TauntaunHerder]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and to contracting, so please bare with me. :-)

I work for a limited company (not mine), on a rolling contract basis (with 1 month notice period).

I'm unhappy with the format of the work and a recent project has really put me off (I like the guys I work in the ltd company, and the product, but I don't like the project, format, contracting itself), and it's making me quite unhappy, and has actually started effecting my health (stress/panic and still in my early 20's!).

The reasons for leaving have out-wieghed the reasons for staying (only the fact I like my direct employers and I like the products). As it will look like the project will continue for sometime, where do I stand in leaving "half-way through" (the project contract has a 2-week notice period). I have P.I insurance and so does the company for the project, but are there any other legal complications that people have experienced?

Thanks,

TauntaunHerder