Dropping like flies!!! A sign of things to come?

[MarillionFan]

Gingerjedi and NWP2C benched in the last few days.

Zippy still benched.
Richardcranium looking like he may never work again!

Is this a sign of things to come? Who else is presently benched or coming up for renewal and is it going to get worse?

[Old Greg]

Gingerjedi and NWP2C benched in the last few days.

Zippy still benched.
Richardcranium looking like he may never work again!

Is this a sign of things to come? Who else is presently benched or coming up for renewal and is it going to get worse?

Benched for the last 5 1/2 months. Hoping to get a contract signed this week. I contract exclusively for the NHS, related healthcare organisations or healthcare IT suppliers, and I think the very darkest days are over (for now) but it's still very slow.

[sasguru]

Gingerjedi and NWP2C benched in the last few days.

Zippy still benched.
Richardcranium looking like he may never work again!

Is this a sign of things to come? Who else is presently benched or coming up for renewal and is it going to get worse?

I benched a couple of contractors (not IT) last week. Company policy is an indefinite hiring freeze on both contractor and permies.

[Old Greg]

I benched a couple of contractors (not IT) last week. Company policy is an indefinite hiring freeze on both contractor and permies.

My last (NHS) client is looking to lose 2/3 of its remaining contractors at the end of March.

[TimberWolf]

I've been benched for most of the Labour years and I'm not sure whether I'll work again in IT. I'll have once last effort this year before the money runs out totally. I've only had one interview in all those years, so there may have been an element of a lack of effort involved on my part too, which I'm hoping to shake off now that labour are gone. Not easy to shake off though. I have had other jobs in that time, such as working as a postman and in factories.

[the_rangdo]

Gingerjedi and NWP2C benched in the last few days.

Zippy still benched.
Richardcranium looking like he may never work again!

Is this a sign of things to come? Who else is presently benched or coming up for renewal and is it going to get worse?

'spose it depends on the sector.

My contract is up at the end of Feb but they've already verbally offered 6 months (with likely more beyond that) and they're interviewing regularly for more bods.

[OwlHoot]

On an upbeat note, I was told yesterday I'd be extended for 6 months.

But obviously it's not definite until the fat lady signs.

[Mich the Tester]

Dutch government is supposedly making big cuts, but I've just been given word of 3 months extension after mid-feb. Verbal right now, no contract signed as yet, so not yet shouting 'Boomed'. Specialist stuff though. I think everything depends on the sector and having a specialism you know you can sell.

[Wilmslow]

There is something true about this I think.

Around a couple of years back, we saw lots of fresh faces contracting in the building. These days, it is the same faces coming back fo short term work as and when they are needed.

On the other side, there have been a fair few permenant people, including ex-contractors like me who have had to go to the dark side.

If you have a good war chest, and are happy to have a martini lifestyle, any time, any place, anywhere, all well and good luck. If you are one of the many contractors complaining that you cannot get a contact within an hours commute, then maybe time to look into the permie options.

Only been contracting in various guises for 7 years, but, have noticed how times are changing.

[ThomasSoerensen]

The rumour here is that I will not become benched at the end of current contract (end of Feb). But untill I have something in writing I will not say boomed.