Reply to: Is 18 months too long to be in one role?

[NotAllThere]

Is 18 months too long to be in one role?

With you in place? 18 minutes is too long. Sorry. Open goal.

I'll have finished a 15 year contract this year. Admittedly many different projects and since about 2010 concurrent with other clients. Having one client is so boring.

[Paralytic]

18 years in one contract is a bit like a prison sentance to be honest.

You should be sent to prison for that sentence (sic)!

I doubt anyone can really say what is too long. In one contract, I'd had enough after 3 months, in another, I was there for 2 years and was still enjoying it.

[AtW]

16 and counting...

[ChimpMaster]

18 months isn't too long at all, especially in this economic climate. Hang in there and if you're bored then find other ways to keep yourself amused.

You certainly need to be aware of falling prey to IR35. Put measures in place to keep yourself out of client control and get a sub in there for a while if you can. I've been in contracts for longer than this and have always done my best to ensure outside-IR35 status.

[SueEllen]

So is 18 months too long?

No if you are working from your home office.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Your cellmate?

18 years in one contract is a bit like a prison sentance to be honest.

[AtW]

I knew someone who spent 18 years in the same contract.

Your cellmate?

[Andy2]

A contractor can only get rich if he does long term contracts instead of many short term ones.
I knew someone who spent 18 years in the same contract.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

How many rate increases have you had in that time?
How much renegotiating have you done on the contract?

I was already top whack rate wise and since lockdown not found any roles to match the rate. Now the point has come where a slight decrease would make sense in the long-term for my mental health as well as skills wise.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

You getting a conscience or something? Normally you just bin the client whenever it suits you don't you? If it suits you sack them off, if it doesn't then don't.

When you have made a judgement on somebody there is no going back! I'm a properly seasoned contractor now with nearly 11 years worth of gigs under my belt (about 16 different roles in total). In Mourinho style "RESPECT!, RESPECT!"

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I don't think there's a right or wrong length of time to be in the same gig, although the longer you are there the harder it is to say you're not a permie.

I tend to leave when I get bored, preferably when I've got something else lined up first, but sometimes I just take the time off and have a nice break. The latter is not really advisable at the moment, I'd say.

I do have a plan B that is in action and would cover about 40% of my costs + about 9 months warchest (which can be stretched to 12 months+ with aid of plan B). Taking time off may allow me to improve plan B as well..... Nonetheless I will likely need a contract within 6 months of leaving which I don't see as a major issue given my skillset and experience, even in the current climate.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

You threw the over contractor under the bus because you're bored?

sorry I should have clarified - we discussed and agreed this before telling clientco. Have built an excellent relationship with other contractor and we believe we have done a cracking job. Part of doing a good job is ensuring adequate KT and assisting in transition to BAU.

[northernladuk]

You getting a conscience or something? Normally you just bin the client whenever it suits you don't you? If it suits you sack them off, if it doesn't then don't.

[jamesbrown]

Long-term contracts are fine if you also run short-term ones in parallel. Otherwise, pretty boring, I would’ve thought. One of the main benefits of contracting, other than the obscene amount of money, is the variety.

[WTFH]

How many rate increases have you had in that time?
How much renegotiating have you done on the contract?