Hi, I've been in my current contract for about a year. It runs out 31 Dec, and they've already said they would like to renew me to June 17. The rate is good.
Thing is I don't have much work to do at all. There were some big chunky deliverables which I've dully delivered. The client seems to MASSIVELY overestimate how long tasks will take. The project is still running, so all I really need to do is tweak those things that I've already delivered e.g. keeping documentation up to date. Add in time spent in meetings and I'm probably up to 15-20% utilised. I can't see that changing much between now and June.
The client didn't really know what they wanted when they took me on, and so quite a few of the chunky deliverables I mention are things that I suggested, they have all been well received and really move the project forward. However, because the project has now progressed, I can't see anything else that I can suggest that would add value. So I'm going to be sitting twiddling my thumbs between now and June just so that some documentation can be maintained.
Problem is that the client prefers folks to be in the one main, open plan office. I can't let the permies see that I'm surfing the web or studying something new on client time or else it would cause resentment I'm sure and upset the client's employees. I'm bored out of my skull. I spend my days flicking between screens, making unnecessary spreadsheets and re-reading emails.
I can't tell if:
a) the client knows I am free 85% of the time, but just needs someone to do this small amount of work (the 15%)
b) the client has no idea that I'm so quiet and doesn't realise that they probably could get by without me.
I'm thinking I can either:
1) leave and say nothing
2) bring up the down time with the client, but that risks being asked to do the crappest of the crap, and potentially getting asked to do tasks that would make me look like a perm in disguise
3) should I level with the client and ask is it the case that they just need me to do that 15% and couldn't give a toss what I do the rest? I'm more than happy to take 2 hour lunches, 'work' from home more often etc. but be present and willing when tasks do come up. I have no idea if the client knows that this is what the score is but just wants to keep me 'in case' something crops up.
It is a reaonabley well paid gig, so I'd only want to jump ship for something on a comparable rate. It wouldn't be impossible to find another job on this rate, but I'd be surprised if I found one the first week of looking if you see what I mean. It's just so mind-numbing.
If anyone has any advice I'll happily listen
Thanking you in advance!
Thing is I don't have much work to do at all. There were some big chunky deliverables which I've dully delivered. The client seems to MASSIVELY overestimate how long tasks will take. The project is still running, so all I really need to do is tweak those things that I've already delivered e.g. keeping documentation up to date. Add in time spent in meetings and I'm probably up to 15-20% utilised. I can't see that changing much between now and June.
The client didn't really know what they wanted when they took me on, and so quite a few of the chunky deliverables I mention are things that I suggested, they have all been well received and really move the project forward. However, because the project has now progressed, I can't see anything else that I can suggest that would add value. So I'm going to be sitting twiddling my thumbs between now and June just so that some documentation can be maintained.
Problem is that the client prefers folks to be in the one main, open plan office. I can't let the permies see that I'm surfing the web or studying something new on client time or else it would cause resentment I'm sure and upset the client's employees. I'm bored out of my skull. I spend my days flicking between screens, making unnecessary spreadsheets and re-reading emails.
I can't tell if:
a) the client knows I am free 85% of the time, but just needs someone to do this small amount of work (the 15%)
b) the client has no idea that I'm so quiet and doesn't realise that they probably could get by without me.
I'm thinking I can either:
1) leave and say nothing
2) bring up the down time with the client, but that risks being asked to do the crappest of the crap, and potentially getting asked to do tasks that would make me look like a perm in disguise
3) should I level with the client and ask is it the case that they just need me to do that 15% and couldn't give a toss what I do the rest? I'm more than happy to take 2 hour lunches, 'work' from home more often etc. but be present and willing when tasks do come up. I have no idea if the client knows that this is what the score is but just wants to keep me 'in case' something crops up.
It is a reaonabley well paid gig, so I'd only want to jump ship for something on a comparable rate. It wouldn't be impossible to find another job on this rate, but I'd be surprised if I found one the first week of looking if you see what I mean. It's just so mind-numbing.
If anyone has any advice I'll happily listen
Thanking you in advance!
Comment