quitting an IT contract

L

lukegriffen

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Just wondering if anyone out there has quit an IT contract before it was up. I've been in a contract 4 months, paid on a daily rate, and have another 7 months to go, but I hate it, & at the moment the remaining 7 months feels like 7 years ! :)

In the contract it appears that either party can terminate it with 28 days notice. But I'm just wondering has anyone done this before, I don't mind upsetting the company I'm working at, since I'm never going to work here again, but I'd be more wary about burning my bridges with the agency, which is one of the big ones. I don't really have any valid grounds for leaving, the co. is very disorganised, & the work I have been given is very dull, but falls within the job spec range, so I can't really complain. I have another contract job I could take up immediately, so am just interested in others experiences if they've done this before.
Will the agency blackmark me for a few years ? There's no other legal issues if I give the full 28 days notice, is there ?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Luke
 
no legal issues if the contract always for termination.

Not good for your reputation though. Any chance you could work with the agency to find a replacement for yourself and not leave your contract until you do, that way everyone is happy.

Or if you really want the new contract just explain the situation to the agency and the company and go.
 
It's my first contract, I had 6 years of steady permanent work before, but had been made redundant. I think the mistake I made was accepting the first good offer (salary-wise) that came along, though when you're unemployed and someone makes you an offer, it's hard to tell a company 'could you hold on a couple of weeks until i wait & see what else turns up'
Re. getting someone to replace me, I don't think that's a runner. Besides not knowing anyone available, the company wouldn't be too happy about having a total newbie arrive on the scene.
 
the company wouldn't be too happy about having a total newbie arrive on the scene.
Click to expand...

Better to have an enthusiastic 'total newbie' than someone that doesn't want to be there.

I think Steelblue summed it up quite well. Just be up-front about it and move on.
 
Give them a chance to fix the issue - speak to the agency about your concerns and see what they can do to rectify the situation.
 
If it's your first contract, then I'd be inclined to sit tight.

Permanent employees are entitled to have delusions of interesting work & career development, as a contractor you're hired to do a specific job and that's it. Won't always be exciting.
 
Hi Luke,

I've been in IT contracting for the past 10 years, having worked as a regular employee in IT for about 10 before that, and have worked on various projects in Ireland, the UK, France, Germany and the US. It can be a tough business as a contractor as many companies will give the hardest most undesireable positions to contractors, including the jobs noone else wants, working for/with the more difficult people. This isn't always the case but it does happen a lot. You learn to not take it personally, do the job to the best of your abilities (without taking on too much or feeling like you have to save the project - as I used to) and to avoid office politics and games like the plague. This is part of the package - nobody will feel like they owe you an interesting day's work - you're the solution to their HR pressures.
However, do be aware that new contractors can be taken advantage of by the agency they work through also - agencies are commercial entities, very results driven, working to sales targets and it's in their interest to keep you there at all costs. The company is their customer - not you! They may imply that the market is slowing down, that you won't find it easy to get another position, etc etc They may be trying to expand their business with your employer and need you there as their 'foot in the door'. So whilst I would advocate talking to your on site boss to see if anything can be done to improve your situation I wouldn't be under undue pressure to stay put if you are genuinely unhappy.

Assuming that you have done good work to date and have good references, then as soon as you are needed they'll be on the phone again.

My tuppence worth...

Good luck!
 
Hi Luke,

I also have been IT contracting for a number of years and have had several run ins with agencies (not over terminations but other non-ethical carry on). Anyway, I wouldn't worry about offending them. At the end of the day they need you to make money for them and if you have the right skills and are available, they will use you again. If they don't put you forward for a position, then they risk the position going to a candidate from another agency.
I have just left a contract, albeit only 10 days before the time was up but it was without giving the required notice. It was for genuine geographical reasons but I did find both the client and the agency very understanding when I explained it to them.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you
 
Why don't you take more holidays to ease the burden? 7 months will fly.
Its all about the contract. The agency may sue you if they think you have damaged their reputation with the firm.
Make sure you have another job lined up with a company unrelated to the one your contracting to before you leave.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Unless I start getting really stressed, I think I'll try & stick it out, good idea about taking more holidays.

As a contractor, I've got used to going to lunch on my own & not having any banter as in prev. job, but I'll have to start getting used to just accepting the work I've been given, even if it makes no sense at all,
from a logical or financial view. eg. the stuff I'm doing at the moment could take me 8 hours to do research analysis, after questioning 3 or 4 staff for info, whereas a staff member who already has
the system knowledge in their head could probably do the job in 30 mins.

Cheers

Luke
 
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