Leaving mid-contract - thoughts

[psychocandy]

I've already chased this morning, and will do so again soon if they haven't been approved.

In general Client Co are just very very slack with this kind of thing, my contract was up for a week before it was renewed, others have had the same issue with contract been up before it's been renewed. They have never screwed anyone over that I'm aware of, just slack in how they handle things. I suspect they will stay that way until they get burned by someone who rightfully walks out when their contract expires and nothing is already in place.

I really don't think this is part of some masterplan to push me out, far from it, I'm pretty sure they want me to stay, at least until they are ready for me to go.

As others have said if they can get away with it they will. You getting paid is not their priority.

Working without contract = never. I had client who regularly left it late until last day.

Twice I walked out and refused to come in the next day - twice they ran around like idiots getting it sorted by 1pm. Twice I started work at 1pm that day and worked from home and billed for day - not my fault for causing this situation.

Im sure they thought I was a right tosser. In fact, sure they did because they had a bob there who once worked 6 weeks without contract because he believed "its awkward to get authorised because manager is on holidays" crap.
Don't care - do things properly.

[fool]

Despite psychocandy spamming he's right, you can't be sure they're not actually planning to screw you over either because of a lack of cashflow or simply because they view you as an overpaid contractor.

Like seriously, some companies have form for it and on both occasions where I've had to fight for my money (one still ongoing) I am 90% sure the companies hired me with this in mind. Everything you've said about their attitude to contractors reminds me of those occasions.

It might not be all doom and gloom, but do hit this on the head because you get into a situation where you deseperatly need paid.

[moneymoney]

Despite psychocandy spamming he's right, you can't be sure they're not actually planning to screw you over either because of a lack of cashflow or simply because they view you as an overpaid contractor.

Like seriously, some companies have form for it and on both occasions where I've had to fight for my money (one still ongoing) I am 90% sure the companies hired me with this in mind. Everything you've said about their attitude to contractors reminds me of those occasions.

It might not be all doom and gloom, but do hit this on the head because you get into a situation where you deseperatly need paid.

i'm 99% sure they aren't and wouldn't do something like that, but I take all your points and it's not a situation I need to open myself up to. They have said timesheets will be approved today so hopefully that will happen and that risk is gone.

[MrMarkyMark]

i'm 99% sure they aren't and wouldn't do something like that, but I take all your points and it's not a situation I need to open myself up to. They have said timesheets will be approved today so hopefully that will happen and that risk is gone.

At least you are confident, that's the main thing.
Fingers crossed, they will do them today

[TheFaQQer]

Im sure they thought I was a right tosser.

I don't think they thought that at all.

There's a difference between opinion and fact-based reasoning

[wantacontract]

hi all,

I know the general consensus around here for leaving mid-contract is that it is wrong, unprofessional and you just shouldn't do it but i'd like to explain my current circumstances and see if people still agree

I'm currently in a 6 month contract, this is a renewal so approx 8 months with the firm
When renewal approached, they tried to get me to join as perm (for now, lets leave aside all IR35 discussions for the purpose of this post), I declined
They tried to play hardball but i refused to move and then they eventually said they would offer me a contract, but if they can find a perm, they will hire them, get me to do a handover and then let me go.........when it came around to renewing my contract, they were a week late in doing it and i worked that week for them, with no contract (I know i shouldn't have but I did as a goodwill gesture)

now a situation has come up for a role for me that would be better for my long term career goals, better rate, etc! (current client co is pretty niche so i'm not worried about harming my reputation with them)

is it still bad form to leave? essentially they have told me that once they get a better deal, they'll tell me to jog on, which is now essentially what i am saying to them (it's been handled very poorly on their side IMO, they shouldn't have said anything to me)

Bail if:

You never want to work there again
You are sure the other role is in hand

Personally I would do it.....thats what notice period is there for.

One added complication, if client is up creek without a paddle, then I might stay to sort things out, but it's its BAU, then bail, they won't miss you....

[psychocandy]

i'm 99% sure they aren't and wouldn't do something like that, but I take all your points and it's not a situation I need to open myself up to. They have said timesheets will be approved today so hopefully that will happen and that risk is gone.

Mate of mine worked same place as me. Both permies.

He cancelled his holiday with 2 days notice once because they asked him to (his mrs went nuts). He had a special relationship with the MD who filled him with ideas that he'd go far. They were grooming him to be IT Director etc. Appreciated all he did and he was the best IT person they'd ever had.

Got escorted out of the building same day as me and some others on trumped up 'charges' the company had dug for on each individual. All because they wanted senior staff gone and didnt want to do redundancies properly or pay anyone. (They had to pay in the end after legal proceedings).

He never thought they'd do it to him. And I bet you already know that it wasn't the MD who fronted up and dealt with all of this. Nope, mate never managed to speak to him for an explanation - unsurprisingly.

Point being - it can happen to anyone.

[LondonManc]

It's very simple.

Priority one is getting your timesheets signed off. The outcome of that may give you a better feeling about what path to take but I'd manage your exit properly if I were you.

[wantacontract]

after reading the whole thread, I have no doubt whatsoever for you...

upon getting paid your 11 week timesheet, and confirming the contract for the other role, go ahead and terminate your existing contract....

there, you can't get any better advice then that...

[Andy2]

Keep in mind that you may never get work through that agency again.
In my experience rec. agents get rather pissed off when you don't complete the full contract
and they maintain a black list with your name in it.
Vindictive lot these agents.