Potential contract breach by client

[UKS]

I'm 6 weeks into a 1 year contract with a new client. From day 1 another contractor working on the same programme has systematically blocked me from meetings and information that is material to the performance of my work. I've raised this with the CEO who immediately unblocked one issue but then 24 hours later decided he wanted to terminate my contract - not for non-performance nor attitude - but under normal 28-day notice rules.
There's a clause in my contract about what the client's responsibilities are and they clearly haven't delivered on those. Anyone know a good solicitor? Not had this situation before in 30 years of working as a contractor!

[BrilloPad]

Just walk away and forget about it. You will get nowhere. There is no breach of contract.

You are lucky to be getting 28 days notice.

If you really have to take revenge, got to his car and pee in his petrol tank.

[Cirrus]

Clients like people who solve problems, not escalate them

I've raised this with the CEO

Not usually a good thing to do.

[SuperZ]

I'm 6 weeks into a 1 year contract with a new client. From day 1 another contractor working on the same programme has systematically blocked me from meetings and information that is material to the performance of my work. I've raised this with the CEO who immediately unblocked one issue but then 24 hours later decided he wanted to terminate my contract - not for non-performance nor attitude - but under normal 28-day notice rules.
There's a clause in my contract about what the client's responsibilities are and they clearly haven't delivered on those. Anyone know a good solicitor? Not had this situation before in 30 years of working as a contractor!

If it's under normal 28-day notice rules then regardless of that something isn't right as you're 6 weeks into a 1 year contract. The situation is they're letting you go, and they could argue the case that they blocked you from meetings and other information because they were planning to let you go.

Just move on....you're at least got 28 days to look for something else. Sometimes things just don't work out. As you've already approached the CEO you could do again to ask why the contract is ending which may reveal the reason, or may not.
I had a situation some time ago where I felt stabbed in the back, athough only finished the contract a week early. I was pretty p***ed initially then realised with that behaviour I didn't even want to work with company so **** 'em . It was the first time ever for me too. It did knock my confidence a bit but that soon bounced back when I next worked with a much better organisation. I learned also to take note of glassdoor.co.uk as their were some bad reviews about the management but I chose to ignore that.

After 30 years of contracting I'm surprised you give a damn, £££££££

[northernladuk]

There are a couple of other clauses in your contract.

Some will cover immediate termination if you don't perform which they are pulling here. I'm not surprised you've been canned reading that so they could have a good argument you've not acted properly. You are a supplier, if you rock the boat you go. Not unheard of at all.

There will also be clause about not getting paid if you don't have a signed timesheet. They can ask you not to work for the remainder of your notice period, or even contract. You don't get another penny so effectively it's instant dismissal as per the contract.

It was a crap gig that went south. Move on.

[PerfectStorm]

You've got 10 weeks out of it and notice - that's a win in my book

[WTFH]

Were you direct with the client or through an agent?

[psychocandy]

Yeh something going on. You moaned to CEO. Maybe other guy has been there a long time? CEO couldnt be bothered with sorting out any conflict?
Who knows?

Breach of contract? Never in a million years... What exactly have they breached? They dont have to give a reason and they did give you notice too....

[tarbera]

CEO is thinking, Jesus I can't be doing with hassle from the hired help, he is not a permie and took 30mins of my life being a tell tale whinge bag. I will nod today and sack him tomorrow

Problem solved

[Andy Hallett]

You should definitely take your claim to an employment tribunal*


*that was sarcasm.