Bittersweet Boom

[Slinky]

I've officially been extended until the end of March, but 2 other very experienced contractors on my team have been given 2 weeks notice.

It appears my boss has little to no power and is at the whim of our VP, who he told me 'hates contractors' and pretty much got us in a room and made us each justify our roles and fight for a place. The early promise of going perm in a higher position has evaporated due to no head count, which actually suits me fine as I want to carry on contracting anyway for now.

Certainly is a cutthroat world out there.

[Paralytic]

I've officially been extended until the end of March <snip>

Not what you were posting about, but (assuming you don't get paid almost immediately) do you (and your client) recognise the IR35 implications of the contract running so close to the new tax year?

On your new contract, i'd be keeping a close eye on the market - the VP could well be looking for any reason to get rid of you too.

[KinooOrKinog]

On your new contract, i'd be keeping a close eye on the market - the VP could well be looking for any reason to get rid of you too.

Same.
Although, if someone told me to "justify my role & fight for a place" I'd be inclined to tell them to poke it.

[Slinky]

Yes IR35 definitely something I am very wary of, i'm weighing up my options. My CV is up to date, i'm booked in to renew my prince 2, linked-in up to date etc. I look at the market every day.

I haven't actually delivered my project yet so I don't think it would look too good to other potential employers me telling them to poke it and leaving after 6 months, having not delivered anything.

'Apparently' there will be more budget next year, and my boss wants me perm. But I won't be holding my breath, and i'm preparing to leave.

[simes]

Not what you were posting about, but (assuming you don't get paid almost immediately) do you (and your client) recognise the IR35 implications of the contract running so close to the new tax year?

Not sure I understand the implications of your IR35 implications...

Can I ask what you might be suggesting by this - to just stop work two months prior to April?? We might not Know the implications, but I hope people don't run scared of them.

[KinooOrKinog]

I haven't actually delivered my project yet so I don't think it would look too good to other potential employers me telling them to poke it and leaving after 6 months, having not delivered anything.

.

So the client obviously must know you're still needed & why. Telling you to justify your position is just an abuse of power.

Btw, they're not your employer ;-)

[Paralytic]

Not sure I understand the implications of your IR35 implications...

Can I ask what you might be suggesting by this - to just stop work two months prior to April?? We might not Know the implications, but I hope people don't run scared of them.

"extended until the end of March" most likely means getting paid in new 2020 tax year, which means covered by the new deemed employee legislation for private sector which means the client is determining whether the contract is inside or outside of IR35 which might mean some retrospective reassessment of the whole contract...

I'm not suggesting anything that understanding that people be aware at what point they will be covered by the change in IR35 legislation.

[SussexSeagull]

Speaking as someone who has been out of contract since May, I would be tempted to grin and bear it at least to the point you would be hit by the IR35 changes.

[Lance]

i'm booked in to renew my prince 2

I wouldn't bother with that. Nobody cares if you're current if you've been doing it for years.
I'm not sure that many care about Prince 2 any more these days either, but if you're new to the market it helps then.

[Lance]

"extended until the end of March" most likely means getting paid in new 2020 tax year

I'm not sure this a valid concern. As long as the invoice goes in before 6th April (unless doing cash accounting but I don't know whay anyone would do that).