IT contract - breaking

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Scenario:

Started 3-month IT contract.

Project hits delays, so left waiting around for an update on when I'm next required.

In the meantime, I receive a call asking me if I'm available for an interview for another contract.

Or what if I'm offered another position and decide to take it - can I just cancel the contract?

 

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Just how long have you worked on this contract, and how long will the delays be? Those are the first things I'd consider. If the delay is open-ended then I'd approach the organization I'm currently contracted to and ask to be let out of contract because I need to be working, not sitting on my butt. I think most places will understand that.

 

Started yesterday, due back Tuesday but has been delayed to at least Wednesday, maybe later - will get an update on Tuesday as to when/if etc.

It's kind of a bit rubbish being stuck in limbo...

 

Oh. The way you talked in your opening post I thought you'd been sitting for a couple of weeks, not a day or two at the very beginning of a project. I'd say in this case the employer isn't going to be very understanding, and that you're not showing much patience yourself.

 

I'm thinking more cash flow....

 

Hang on, are they paying you to be on hold? Surely they should be. If they have hired you to start on a certain day, and its their end thats holding things up, you should still be getting paid for it.

If not, stuff them. If they arent paying you, they havent hired you. If you want to be nice, you can talk to them and tell them that you need money coming in, and if they are holding things up, you still need to be getting paid.

 

That all depends on how willing you are to burn bridges. I know if I was an employer and someone came to me in the situation that has been described here I would probably let them go, but I'd never consider using them again either. If they came to me after a couple of weeks and said, how long is this going to on that I need to work I'd understand. After a day or two, I wouldn't.

 

If they ain't paying you then you have no obligation to wait around. Would they lose money waiting you?

Companies these days really do take the ...

 

I tend to agree with Freddy. If a few days, that's OK... but if you're asking me to wait weeks... then we've got a problem.

Have you called and talked to someone about your concerns? Sometimes a little bit of two-way conversation can work wonders.

 

Well I'm expecting an update on Tuesday and kind of hoping the issues have been resolved by then, so I'll be back on-site asap. They're only going to pay me for the time I'm working there. I don't mind waiting a few days but can't last forever with no cash, and I was just weighing up my options that's all. It is a genuine issue, not caused by ourselves (the contractors) or the agency but by the IT dept of the company we're doing the work for.

 

This is a no brainer really! If you get offered another position elsewhere then you walk! Easy as!

 

At the very least, I'd be calling the Project Manager or Project Owner or your direct report for an update regularly. Also to find out what they are expecting of you during these delays.