Reply to: Another contract - ditch current or let it go?

[psychocandy]

Nah. More like client is a shambles, nothing gets done right, they don't want to spend money and want to try and think of any way they can to get someone cheaper (i.e. offshore) to do it.

They get to end of extension, realise that without contractor they're screwed, so sign up. Repeat again next time....

[bobspud]

Common professional courtesy surely. Or am I expecting too much?

It might be a few reasons:

1) Client does not like contractors and thinks this is fine to behave like a twat.
2) Client does not want to say yes we are renewing you incase he gets told no later on and has to dump you. Doesn't like to admit that he does not have the last say.
3) Client really just does not know any better and no-one can be bothered to educate them.
4) Client thinks that you will sit on your bum and work there for ever. (he might have a point!)

[The Spartan]

I wouldn't even hope it's beyond the point of no return

[psychocandy]

NLUK - Yeah true. I live in hope that they might start acting in a professional manner. Like you say, I doubt it though.

[northernladuk]

Well bearing in mind you have spent months moaning about this surely you know the score by now. Why are you still getting upset about it when you know full well this would happen? Lower your expectations of the client and just let it wash over you. There is no point getting upset about something you know will happen. That is just pointless. You know their methods, turn up, bill, don't expect anything from them and chill. It can only go two ways, extend or not so no point worrying.

I think most people on this board know how the client is going to treat you so why is this a surprise or a problem?

[psychocandy]

Well, didn't pan out so I'm stuck here for now at least.

Really hoping to get something else sorted but not a lot about.

Month to go and I've emailed the main man to ask him if my services are going to be required going forward. Recent events where I seem to be left out of things points to the fact that they're doing their very best NOT to have to keep me on due to cost reasons.

But, if recent experience is anything to go by, he won't even bother to respond. Which pisses me off - after over 2 years at client, I'd expect a bit of common courtesy to let me know if I fit into future plans. After all, if I was planning not to extend, I'd like to think I'd give the client at least a few weeks notice to hand things over.

Common professional courtesy surely. Or am I expecting too much?

[psychocandy]

Lucky for you PC I'm back in June if you need me to fill in

Cheers spartie.

[The Spartan]

Lucky for you PC I'm back in June if you need me to fill in

[TheFaQQer]

Agreed. Can't see client being overjoyed if you turned up one day, gave 4 weeks notice and then said you're declining to come in for those days.

It's not necessarily about whether the client is happy or not - the question was whether not turning up would amount to a breach of contract. If you have a clause in the contract which allows you to refuse work offered, then by not turning up, you aren't breaching the contract.

Do not expect the agency to understand that, never mind the client.

[psychocandy]

I think you do actually do this. When you go away with the family for holidays you are unable to accept that days work. The client uses it often enough over xmas periods and refuses to let you work. Just using it to not do any further work is a moot point though. What might be available in theory could be very difficult to pull off in practice.

Agreed. Can't see client being overjoyed if you turned up one day, gave 4 weeks notice and then said you're declining to come in for those days.

[jmo21]

I think you do actually do this. When you go away with the family for holidays you are unable to accept that days work. The client uses it often enough over xmas periods and refuses to let you work. Just using it to not do any further work is a moot point though. What might be available in theory could be very difficult to pull off in practice.

interesting, hadn't thought of that.

[northernladuk]

I've never understood this type of statement.

Surely that is when current contract expires, you don't have to accept the extension (work offered), not just randomly in the middle of a contract, "I'm not accepting that work".

I think you do actually do this. When you go away with the family for holidays you are unable to accept that days work. The client uses it often enough over xmas periods and refuses to let you work. Just using it to not do any further work is a moot point though. What might be available in theory could be very difficult to pull off in practice.

[jmo21]

You have a clause in your contract which says that you aren't obliged to accept any work that they offer, so you are just turning down the work that they offer.

I've never understood this type of statement.

Surely that is when current contract expires, you don't have to accept the extension (work offered), not just randomly in the middle of a contract, "I'm not accepting that work".

[bobspud]

Run!

Don't look back! Just Run!

Well done

[psychocandy]

If you've got no contract, you've got no notice period then

Debatable. I got agency to confirm in email to cover my end but, of course, me turning up on 1st may sort of covers me off.