Poor contract (no work, low rate) vs Bench

[kaiser78]

This is the dilemma I am currently facing - contract I am currently in is very slow going. There is no literally work currently (and only so much surfing you can do) and the rate is lower than normal. I took the role in order to add an additional skillset to my bow, although need the work to develop the skillset !

Part of me thinks I should hit the bench, have a bit of a break, and refocus on securing another contract, albeit conscious of the difficult market currently.

Tricky one - any thoughts to get my motivation up ?

[SlipTheJab]

This is the dilemma I am currently facing - contract I am currently in is very slow going. There is no literally work currently (and only so much surfing you can do) and the rate is lower than normal. I took the role in order to add an additional skillset to my bow, although need the work to develop the skillset !

Part of me thinks I should hit the bench, have a bit of a break, and refocus on securing another contract, albeit conscious of the difficult market currently.

Tricky one - any thoughts to get my motivation up ?

See if they will let you work part time until it picks up? With the Euros starting today it would be a win win!

[WTFH]

Look for a new contract before deciding to bench it, unless you've got a massive war chest.

[Mordac]

This is the dilemma I am currently facing - contract I am currently in is very slow going. There is no literally work currently (and only so much surfing you can do) and the rate is lower than normal. I took the role in order to add an additional skillset to my bow, although need the work to develop the skillset !

Part of me thinks I should hit the bench, have a bit of a break, and refocus on securing another contract, albeit conscious of the difficult market currently.

Tricky one - any thoughts to get my motivation up ?

Seems daft to turn down the cash when you could use the time which should have been spent earning it to train up, so to speak. I agree, turning up every day to find you have virtually nothing to do can be somewhat de-motivating, but be creative...

[DimPrawn]

Seems daft to turn down the cash when you could use the time which should have been spent earning it to train up, so to speak. I agree, turning up every day to find you have virtually nothing to do can be somewhat de-motivating, but be creative...

Yes, these contracts can be a gift. Use the time to build proof of concept / learning in the skills you are there to pickup. You are getting paid to learn useful things.

[suityou01]

This is the dilemma I am currently facing - contract I am currently in is very slow going. There is no literally work currently (and only so much surfing you can do) and the rate is lower than normal. I took the role in order to add an additional skillset to my bow, although need the work to develop the skillset !

Part of me thinks I should hit the bench, have a bit of a break, and refocus on securing another contract, albeit conscious of the difficult market currently.

Tricky one - any thoughts to get my motivation up ?

Kaiser kaiser kaiser, have we taught you nothing? You are a contractor. You invoice therefore you are.

If the gig's tulipe, book a week long holiday in the sun and take a week off somewhere mid contract. You are not depleting your warchest, but adding to it, and you give yourself something to look forward to to help those long boring days pass.

Now off you pop. X

[SimonMac]

What is your notice period?

I am on a dead man walking project here, but only have to give two weeks so actively looking, won't jump until I am pushed as money is money

[kaiser78]

Kaiser kaiser kaiser, have we taught you nothing? You are a contractor. You invoice therefore you are.

If the gig's tulipe, book a week long holiday in the sun and take a week off somewhere mid contract. You are not depleting your warchest, but adding to it, and you give yourself something to look forward to to help those long boring days pass.

Now off you pop. X

I did that last week and so have only been back a week for my new found motivation to erode...

[SimonMac]

Kaiser kaiser kaiser, have we taught you nothing? You are a contractor. You invoice therefore you are.

If the gig's tulipe, book a week long holiday in the sun and take a week off somewhere mid contract. You are not depleting your warchest, but adding to it, and you give yourself something to look forward to to help those long boring days pass.

Now off you pop. X

So does that mean those on the bench are not real contractors

[kaiser78]

What is your notice period?

I am on a dead man walking project here, but only have to give two weeks so actively looking, won't jump until I am pushed as money is money

2 weeks notice as well for me but the idea was that when this contract had properly ended to have a long break then. Have been in limbo for the past 4-5 weeks - am very nearly at the point of seeing what Mumsnet is up to