Contractots and Loyalty

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Soldato
Joined
9 Apr 2004
Posts
2,702
Not normally one to post looking for advice but I could do with getting some thoughts from my fellow contractors.

I am currently on a contract due to end on the 11th of January. The company have already requested an extension till the end of March. I am yet to sign the extension.

So far I have been approached for two other roles both paying more money. One is a 25% increase in day rate and the second is same day rate but travelling expenses from home base are claimable at 45p a mile. I was doing approx 3000 miles per month at that role.

The first role is a new company the second is a previous client.

At the moment I feel obliged to stay where I am and take the extension as its a new industry for me (recently moved from Financial Services to Utilities) and they have been understanding. (just had a new baby).

So should I feel loyalty to my current client or should I end the contract on the 11th of January and go for more money?

[edit] could a passing done correct the spelling mistake in the title please.
 
If they've been helpful whilst you've had a baby (and you're not in dire need of the extra money) I'd be tempted to stay put and show some appreciation.

However, as a contractor I would have thought company loyalty would be less important.
 
I'd tell them you already have something else setup, but you'll be free in x months :-) Go for the money my friend.... unless your going to need something from them in the future that is, but remember when it comes to the end of your usefulness they'll be sure to drop you as fast as the contract allows
 
Contractors and loyalty don't usually go together I agree but thats not always the case. Also, if you are in a new industry, are you still getting experience from the job your doing? Would it look good on the CV to have more experience in that field?

If the company has been good to you then I would think about staying purely because not many companies would look after you to well as a contractor. It is normally do the job and move on.

Then again, if you just want the extra money then go for it I guess :)
 
The other thing that factors in is that the duration of a lot of my recent contracts have been relatively short term ~3 months.

This is primarily due to me going in as a trouble shooter, bringing things back to rights and then moving on. It does however seem to play a factor when I am approached for longer term tasks.
 
Unless your employer is the U.S. government, I would advise you to look after yourself. :D

Just kidding. See if you can get a matching rate rise from your current employer. If not, then re-evaluate.
 
Go for the money, unless of course any of the following effects it.

1) distance to travel
2) length of contract
3) any hopes of it being extended
4) friends you have made in the palce you are now
5) job spec and inprovments you may have
6) money of course helps
7) expouser to new software/items
8) how you feel about the place your thinking of moving to.

a combanation of the above helps to decide. The fact your asking about it seems to make me think you would like more money, but not the move.

Ask for a pay rise where you are and see how it goes.
 
Isn't the whole point of being a contractor that you don't have to feel loyal to an employer and can just chase the money?

(also that, and the fact you can hotfoot it out the door when you're absolute lack of any knowledge is discovered? not you personally btw, just IT contractors I've encountered before!) ;)
 
I would use the extension to get them to match (or beat) your best offer. If they want you badly enough they'll pay. Remember they wouldn't offer loyalty in return. As a contractor I believe my responsibilities are:

1. Execute tasks and serve the client in a professional manner.
2. Make as much money for me and my family as possible.
3. Leave the client happy to employ me again, if there is work for me to do.

Are there any quality of life aspects to this change?
 
Weigh up the pros and cons.

Do you have a good working relationship with your current contract? Do you feel you'd get a further extension? Do you need the additional cash? If you had to have time off with the kid would they be more understanding than a new contract?
 
Its very rare that you get anything from a company as a contractor, it sounds like they have been good to you (much like my place is to the contractors in our team) and could be again in the future. When you have kids its great to have a little understanding and flexibility.
If the contract is quite lengthy (in comparison to others on offer) I would be tempted to take it.

My contract is up soon, if they offer an extension I will take it even though there are better paid ones elsewhere. They allow me to leave early and arrive late if needed and are considerate when I have to be home for various issues (currently due to mother in law doing her best to kill her insides).
 
It's all about the Benjamin's
Click to expand...

That's sums up work. It's all about the gravy. Well balancing that and your free time but in the end loyalty plays a very little part. Remember the company isn't loyal to you and will drop you like a sack of hot potatoes if they need to.
 
No it wasn't. I removed a stupid response without noticing the date, then responded. I did notice after that but got caught up with something and forgot to remove it.
 
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