Reply to: Worried if i turn down extension I will be axed

[tbrain]

Not the same one as me, my one is not just any supermarket

M&S are more of a retailer than a supermarket!

Spent 18 months there, getting paid to spend 1.5 hours (most days) on the shuttle bus to Stockley Park!

[GB9]

I've worked for a Northern based supermarket that is rapidly going down the pan. Senior management absolutely clueless.

I have also had an interview with a supermarket based in Hertfordshire that left me wondering if someone might have sold my car whilst in the office, such was the culture. However, I expect that explains why they are more sucsessful than the Northern one.

[Wanderer]

I plan to go abroad for 6 months in February, but am worried that if i turn down the extension, they will get someone in (cheaper) who will stay until the end.

Hell, I would just take the extension. A lot can happen in the 10 months before you go away so don't sweat it.

When it comes to the time, just tell them you are off and give them plenty of notice to handover to a replacement.

[SueEllen]

Other people have told you to find a subsitute.

So tell the client you can't do the work but one of the contractors you know can then go and find someone who can do the work.

[tranceporter]

Are you applying for the visa now? I would let the client know once you have applied for the visa. Let them know that depending on the visa outcome, you would be leaving in September. This is assuming that your visa approval time is the same or greater than your notice period. If not, I would tell them one notice period early before September (if its 4 weeks, then August). That way you would be within your rights, and the client can find someone to replace you and do KR. Meanwhile, I would take the extension.

[proggy]

Not the same one as me, my one is not just any supermarket

Couple of the other posters on here work at supermarkets, Vetran, for example collects trolleys at Lidl, and he is very good at it, think hes got s sniff of some checkout work if he keeps it up!

[rurffy]

Mate! Take the extension .....

Before you get to your travel date - (Trust me .. you will come up with a solution ) ..

(Always works for me)

[Ketchup]

I was thinking the same as I am working in Holborn on a reporting solution for a large supermarket!

Not the same one as me, my one is not just any supermarket

[geoffreywhereveryoumaybe]

Hertfordhsire or Holborn?

I was thinking the same as I am working in Holborn on a reporting solution for a large supermarket!

[VectraMan]

True, however say you were a manager and interviewed a contractor who walked on most of his contracts midway through? He was well within his rights to do that based on his contract but hardly someone you would want to hire, same goes for clients.

Have you ever asked a client that question?

Bottom line is if you want a guaranteed 6 months of work, get that put in the contract, or walk away. But then you're being an inflexible "flexible resource". Demands and schedules of projects changing is exactly why clients hire contractors; if they're stuck with staff they don't need for 6 months, they may as well hire permies.

[proggy]

We should all thank NLUK for being here to advice us on spelling.



Well if the contract says 6 months, but we can end it at any time, then they are seeing out the contract by exercising their right to end it at any time. If they're wanting him to commit this early to a further 6 months from September, then clearly they're planning ahead - which any competent manager should.

True, however say you were a manager and interviewed a contractor who walked on most of his contracts midway through? He was well within his rights to do that based on his contract but hardly someone you would want to hire, same goes for clients.

[VectraMan]

My advise[sic] would be to use the word advice

We should all thank NLUK for being here to advice us on spelling.

I wouldn't want to work for a client to doesn't see out their end of the contract if you have been professional

Well if the contract says 6 months, but we can end it at any time, then they are seeing out the contract by exercising their right to end it at any time. If they're wanting him to commit this early to a further 6 months from September, then clearly they're planning ahead - which any competent manager should.

[Ketchup]

Thank you for the responses.

I will let them know on Monday that i plan on departing in September. If they do get rid on me in July for someone who is cheaper and can see Project B through to completion then it isn't the worst time (not ideal with holiday season) to find a 3 monther to take me through to September. If not that is what my warchest is for, and the summer off wouldnt be the end of the world.

[proggy]

Of course they can. You're a contractor, they can "fire" you because they don't like the y in your name. If you want rights, become a permie.

So they want you to stay until the end of Feb 2014, but you want to go on holiday for 6 months from Feb 2014? It seems pretty foolish to lose months of work to avoid delaying your 6 months off for a couple of weeks. A proper contractor would always put cash above time off.

Of course they can, I should have said, i wouldn't want to work for a client to doesn't see out their end of the contract if you have been professional etc.

[northernladuk]

Has anyone had a similar experience? I have only been contracted for a few years and would love some advise from the more seasoned contractors.

My advise[sic] would be to use the word advice