Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Legend
had a UI/UX developer at a client site for a 3 month contract. ... Fast forward to the end of the contract, I get a frantic call from their HR person. They asked him for a 3 month extension because the project was continuing, and he said no, that he lined something else up. Which is technically completely in his right, but kinda dickish.
I'm new here, as I have just recently migrated from full-time employment to contracting/consulting. There's a lot of good info ITT. But in this case, can you explain in a little more detail why moving on is "dickish"?
I will partially agree with you if the company requested the extension with a month or more still remaining on the original contract. But otherwise, what is expected of the contractor? To wait until he's unemployed before looking for other work? Once the finish line is in sight (i.e. within 4 weeks),
of course the contractor is going to start lining up his next gig. Given that you say "a frantic call," it sounds like this all happened within the final week or two of the contract.
Further, this company wasn't asking for a 2-week extension, where the contractor could push his next gig back a bit... they were asking for a full renewal of 3 months added on to what was originally 3 months. I just can't see how the initial company could expect the contractor (if he is competent at all) to NOT have another gig lined up and to NOT have any other obligations for 3 full months.
This appears more like disorganized project management (writing a 3-month contract for a 6-month+ gig) combined with typically clueless and entitled HR (why would anyone want to work anywhere but here?). Did they offer to increase his rate for the extra 3 months?
I agree completely with you on the Hawaii thing, billing 60 hours while on vacation is bullsh;t. But HR didn't seem to mind that, given they were desperate to retain his services. The contractor being organized, ambitious, and lining up subsequent gigs doesn't seem dickish at all.