Reply to: 6 month or 12 month contract - which is best?

[Mr.Whippy]

If you agree to 12 months then you sound more committed and you can always terminate the contract based on your contracts terms.

Unless your contract states you can't terminate. Asymmetric notice periods seem to be more and more common these days.

I've turned down a 12 month extension and asked for 6 because I didn't want to be tied in for 12 months as they could still terminate with a week.

[psychocandy]

Indeed - current PM told me this morning "I've spoken to <name of VP in charge>" about your extension.

Spoke to the VP and she's heard nothing - there's a big difference between "spoken to" and "emailed".

Contract expires on Tuesday.

Yep. Same with me. I tell agency I aint interested in all this 'spoken to', 'promised', 'decided' bollacks.

I'll compromise with an email from the agency confirming extension and won't be funny about the actual contract as long as it arrives in a few days (although aint had one due 1st april yet!).

But, once or twice, the email aint arrived which seems to me that agency aint quite as convinced as they are trying to tell me....

[TheFaQQer]

And there are a lot of clients for whom pro-actively doing something (i.e. sorting extension or binning you) takes a lot of doing.

Indeed - current PM told me this morning "I've spoken to <name of VP in charge>" about your extension.

Spoke to the VP and she's heard nothing - there's a big difference between "spoken to" and "emailed".

Contract expires on Tuesday.

[Brussels Slumdog]

12 months makes you sound committed

If you agree to 12 months then you sound more committed and you can always terminate the contract based on your contracts terms. If you say 6 months then they may offer someone who agrees to 12 months the contract

Its normally agents who try to knock down the rate for long term contracts as they think that they are securing you long term work

[psychocandy]

That's what I'd do. You may miss the chance to renegotiate an increase at 6 months, but I'd think you have a slightly more secure role, regardless of the "only having the notice period" actuality - some clients forget that they can bin you off early.

And there are a lot of clients for whom pro-actively doing something (i.e. sorting extension or binning you) takes a lot of doing.

[VectraMan]

That's what I'd do. You may miss the chance to renegotiate an increase at 6 months, but I'd think you have a slightly more secure role, regardless of the "only having the notice period" actuality - some clients forget that they can bin you off early.

That. Most people understand the concept of an annual pay rise, so I think you're much more likely to be successful getting one at 12 months than 6. The only question is are you willing to commit yourself for 12 months?

[TheFaQQer]

True enough about the notice thing but I'd be tempted to say 12. Then you've not got the fannying around at 5 1/2 months trying to get extension sorted.

And you'd hope that if they want to go for 12 months now they'd have the budget all allocated for it now so again less hassle.

That's what I'd do. You may miss the chance to renegotiate an increase at 6 months, but I'd think you have a slightly more secure role, regardless of the "only having the notice period" actuality - some clients forget that they can bin you off early.

[psychocandy]

True enough about the notice thing but I'd be tempted to say 12. Then you've not got the fannying around at 5 1/2 months trying to get extension sorted.

And you'd hope that if they want to go for 12 months now they'd have the budget all allocated for it now so again less hassle.

[northernladuk]

You would think that by giving you the option he expects the work to last for the greater amount of time. He isn't going to ask if you want 12 months if there is only 6 months work....So either way best guess is there is 12 months work to do. Just seems a paper based exercise but as Bolshie says, picking 6 months gives you a shot at renegotiating rate.

He could of course be well aware of how contracts work and may not care about the length of contract as he knows full well he will bin you as soon as he doesn't need you. Thankfully most clients either haven't worked this out yet or are not that mercenary...

Surely contract length doesn't matter much considering the client can get rid of you in a month if the work runs out?

He can get rid of you next day if he wants to. He withdraws the work so you have nothing to do so you stop billing the day after. You spend your notice sitting at home. Notice periods are for permies. If they honour it all well and good... but they don't have to. Again thankfully very few clients are this mercenary.

[BolshieBastard]

The contract is only as long as the notice period which is likely to be immediate from the clients part. So whether its 6 or 12 month doesnt make a difference.

However, if you take the 12 month option, you would be unlikely to get a rate rise whereas with the 6 monther, you could ask and demonstrate the need for a rate rise.

[SimonMac]

It's the same role. The client has asked how long I want the contract (6 or 12 months).

Go for 3 and negotiate a rise at the end of each one

[heyya99]

Unless there is no termination clause this is a false economy, a contract is only as long as the notice period. If the money is the same, and so is the location go with which ever is the most interesting role

It's the same role. The client has asked how long I want the contract (6 or 12 months).

[SimonMac]

Unless there is no termination clause this is a false economy, a contract is only as long as the notice period. If the money is the same, and so is the location go with which ever is the most interesting role

[heyya99]

Wouldn't a rate increase only be possible when my contract is up for renewal? My thinking was that I take the 6 monther and then ask for more money after 6. Is it likely I'd get a rate renewal during a contract or is that unheard of?

[Software]

If the rate is same for 6 and 12 months, i prefer to take 12 months..
We can earn good money with it.