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Contract extension grass-is-greener syndrome

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    Contract extension grass-is-greener syndrome

    Sure this should be a listed medical condition!

    Sure you've all been there. Couple of extensions down the line, rate is ok, client is ok, warchest building up nicely, work getting a bit same-ish.

    You're thinking, shall I accept this next extension and sit tight or shall I bail and look for something else closer to home/more money etc.

    Been offered 2nd extensions where I am (taking me up to a year). Decent client, decent enough work. Mid range rate, bit of a trek every day (at my daily limit), no WFH allowed ever, work ok but bit sameish. But sort of client who you know is going to extend and extend until the cows come home.

    At the back of the mind Im thinking, hmmm, might get a different gig, close to home, more money, couple of days WFH even, something exciting.

    Then again, my other mind is thinking, bail from this one, spend months on the bench then be forced to take a tulipe rate because Im skint!

    Maybe I'll stick it out until winter. Travelling lot easier (I do train mostly) when its not pissing down and pitch black.....

    (expect NLUK will be along soon to tell me to man up and accuse me of not being able to make a decision!).
    Rhyddid i lofnod psychocandy!!!!

    #2
    I'm on my 6th extension, with possibly a 7th coming up, I've managed to stay out of client politics, negotiate some home working, but still the urge to move is strong in this one

    I can only describe it as cabin fever, if it's not the permies being miserable as their next restructure starts to bite, it's the reality that despite the money you're getting homesick and there's only so many pub dinners you can manage
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      #3
      Originally posted by MicrosoftBob View Post
      I'm on my 6th extension, with possibly a 7th coming up, I've managed to stay out of client politics, negotiate some home working, but still the urge to move is strong in this one

      I can only describe it as cabin fever, if it's not the permies being miserable as their next restructure starts to bite, it's the reality that despite the money you're getting homesick and there's only so many pub dinners you can manage
      I'm the same. The only downside for me is the five hundred mile round trip every weekend.

      Also, the longer one stays at the same place the more one's unused skills rust, and the less chance there is to learn new things
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        #4
        Originally posted by MicrosoftBob View Post
        I can only describe it as cabin fever, if it's not the permies being miserable as their next restructure starts to bite, it's the reality that despite the money you're getting homesick and there's only so many pub dinners you can manage
        What he said.

        Nothing at all wrong with my contract, and I know I am lucky to have it. Great client, same-ish work. okay rate, nice landlady. But oh I dunno...

        On the subject of clients, I think those in the telecoms sector are more friendly than others.

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          #5
          Originally posted by psychocandy View Post
          Then again, my other mind is thinking, bail from this one, spend months on the dole then be forced to take a tulipe rate because Im skint!
          FTFY

          Well, if I didn't say it, someone else would have

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            #6
            Originally posted by zeitghost
            It's even worse if they're doing extensions by the month.

            I had gate fever at that place.

            Then it closed & I woz free, free I tell you, free.

            And happy with it.
            Isnt this better at least from a decision point of view? ITs only a month and its crap so more reason to bail.
            Rhyddid i lofnod psychocandy!!!!

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              #7
              Originally posted by OwlHoot View Post
              Also, the longer one stays at the same place the more one's unused skills rust, and the less chance there is to learn new things
              That's the thing that concerns me most about staying in the same place.

              He says as he waits to see if the extension is going to happen to take me to over three years...
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                #8
                Originally posted by OwlHoot View Post
                I'm the same. The only downside for me is the five hundred mile round trip every weekend.

                Also, the longer one stays at the same place the more one's unused skills rust, and the less chance there is to learn new things
                Ah if I was away from home it'd make the decision easier for me. No brainer. Got a few quid in warchest = bail.

                Thats the other thing. Cough up a gig just about daily commutable then be forced in few months to take a mon-fri. Not cool for me.
                Rhyddid i lofnod psychocandy!!!!

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by zeitghost
                  Dunno.

                  I wanted to bail after 6 months, but then the permie left so I felt a bit stuck.

                  And it was easily commutable from Neath, being in Pontypridd.

                  So I stuck around until it closed.

                  The next contract was in Cheltenham, which wasn't commutable, though I did try for a week.
                  Born and brought up there!

                  Yeh cheltenham- neath is bit of a trek. Did work with a guy who drove port talbot - gloucester every day.
                  Rhyddid i lofnod psychocandy!!!!

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                    #10
                    Bird in the hand

                    Maybe you just need a holiday? I find a few days off work a treat.

                    If you can secure another good contract before leaving then go, but don't leave yourself adrift without something on the horizon. Bird in the hand and all that.

                    But at least you're not training offshore chappies (or r u?)

                    I'm also thinking about abandoning ship - manager is promising a new shiny project; however the old project updates are now immediately going to some bobs in the middle east (they're not always from dia) No way in hell they're going to get there without serious hand holding. the realisation dawned that maybe the *new* project is just a ruse and when the new cheaper bods are running they will can me on the week's notice thing. the extension is for a few months (on paper). once they know the old project they will be able to grasp the new one effectively making my more expensive ass redundant (its related). they are irritatingly super keen.

                    I dislike having to train new people for my role (I shouldn't - i know- but it sticks). BUT mainly cos its boring and I will be doing little dev which isn't great for my skillset. I just have a bad feeling in my gut that once the handover is sorted I will be packed off - clearly the new guys are FAR cheaper than my onshore resource, and I really think the manager's endgame is to save money and get the new guys in quicksmart. I think he said a few mths just to get me to stay - he admitted we need to transfer knowledge.

                    Cynic or pragmatic?

                    Anyone else been left to train the offshore dudes and find themselves benched sooner than they thought?

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