Renewal Question

[DirtyDog]

You will however struggle to get your last invoices paid so get ready for a fight.

You decline an extension, which is perfectly within your rights.

On what basis do you assume that the client / agency / umbrella will stop paying what they legally owe you? They may find it inconvenient if you leave, but if they refuse to pay what they owe, then you add interest and penalties.

Granted the umbrella being in place complicates things, but I'm not convinced that every client will stop paying just because you change your mind over an extension.

[northernladuk]

Out of interest is this the same client that you made this comment about?

Thats exactly what I've been doing for 2 years at this contract. The first week there was loads to do but finished it so fast and then I asked what should I do now? and my boss said "just make it look like your doing work".

If so you are going to get a schedule of work and stick to it this time?

Another option you could use rather than saying yes is to tell them you will accept subject to a contract review and schedule of work. Might buy you some more time before actually saying yes but still dicks them about somewhat so still won't go down well if you eventually say no.

[northernladuk]

I don't want to decline, I was going to but due to unforeseen circumstances, I will be accepting. I was just wondering if I still have the option to in case I say yes to the extension too early next time. The extension would be due to start on the 3rd of March.

WTF?!? whatever..

Giving verbal confirmation is, in theory, legally binding but they won't hold you to it. They never take it to court so doesn't matter. It is however very unprofessional. You have given both the client and agent the nod that you will be back. To give backword will be very inconvenient for both and you will get a lot of crap for it. The agent will be very upset and threaten you with court and blacklists etc but it's all bluster. Don't expect to ever work for that client again either. You will however struggle to get your last invoices paid so get ready for a fight.

Even if you sign the contract I believe the above will still apply. It just isn't worth their time to sue you.

That said, don't use this get out option lightly and as a standard practice. Contracting is a small world and it will come back and bite you. If you have no option in this instance then the worst that will happen is a lot of flack from the agent and lack of payment of your outstanding invoices which you will have to fight for.

You could of course source a substitute and put them forward instead but good luck with that one as well.

[Manz]

Why do you want to decline? When should the extension start?

I don't want to decline, I was going to but due to unforeseen circumstances, I will be accepting. I was just wondering if I still have the option to in case I say yes to the extension too early next time. The extension would be due to start on the 3rd of March.

[northernladuk]

Why do you want to decline? When should the extension start?

[Manz]

I got a call from my agent saying the client wants to extend my contract for 2 more months, I said I'll accept the extension over the phone, they said they will talk to my umbrella company and now I got emails from the umbrella company asking me to sign the contract and all other parties have signed it and they are just waiting for me to sign it now. Is it too late to decline the extension? I haven't signed it yet with the umbrella company. Am I still able to decline the extension?