Freelance - Pouring petrol on a bridge?
Discussion
Apologies for the long post. Probably just a venty one rather than looking for any real solutions.
So I work freelance, in 2 different trades, but both involve travelling extensively.
I have had a 9 week contract in place for a while now, with a company I have worked for on and off for 8+ years. They have been good to me over the years, sent a lot of lucrative contracts my way and I have, generally, been very lucky.
Recently I retrained and started freelancing in another almost totally unrelated trade, still involving lots of travel.
The new company are (I hope) about to offer me an 18 month contract in Japan, a country I've never been to before, which would be worth a lot more money than the original contract.
The new trade / company is a lot more fun, contracts are longer and I would get to live in Japan, lodged and fed for 18 months.
The old company only have me booked for the 9 weeks this year and nothing else.
I should probably just cut the apron strings and sack off the old in favour of the new, but here's the issue:
The original company have had me booked for this for ages.
The original company have had to go thru a fairly extensive Visa application process on behalf of all the contractors they would be sending out to the 9 week gig
I don't want to totally burn my bridges there in case Japan doesn't work out.
I haven't found out 100% about Japan yet, and realistically may not until Friday.
I'm supposed to fly to Russia with the original company on Saturday.
I may need to be in London to go to the Japanese Embassy at some point (Short notice) before leaving for Japan on 1st week of Feb.
I've looked at the contract for the original company, there's no get-out clause.
I just don't really want to totally leave them in the s
t because A. I'm a nice bloke and B. I might want to work for them again one day.
Similar stories, advice on how you've dealt with this kind of thing? Go.
Thanks
So I work freelance, in 2 different trades, but both involve travelling extensively.
I have had a 9 week contract in place for a while now, with a company I have worked for on and off for 8+ years. They have been good to me over the years, sent a lot of lucrative contracts my way and I have, generally, been very lucky.
Recently I retrained and started freelancing in another almost totally unrelated trade, still involving lots of travel.
The new company are (I hope) about to offer me an 18 month contract in Japan, a country I've never been to before, which would be worth a lot more money than the original contract.
The new trade / company is a lot more fun, contracts are longer and I would get to live in Japan, lodged and fed for 18 months.
The old company only have me booked for the 9 weeks this year and nothing else.
I should probably just cut the apron strings and sack off the old in favour of the new, but here's the issue:
The original company have had me booked for this for ages.
The original company have had to go thru a fairly extensive Visa application process on behalf of all the contractors they would be sending out to the 9 week gig
I don't want to totally burn my bridges there in case Japan doesn't work out.
I haven't found out 100% about Japan yet, and realistically may not until Friday.
I'm supposed to fly to Russia with the original company on Saturday.
I may need to be in London to go to the Japanese Embassy at some point (Short notice) before leaving for Japan on 1st week of Feb.
I've looked at the contract for the original company, there's no get-out clause.
I just don't really want to totally leave them in the s
t because A. I'm a nice bloke and B. I might want to work for them again one day. Similar stories, advice on how you've dealt with this kind of thing? Go.
Thanks
Do what's right for you at this moment in time and be clear and honest with the other parties; honesty rarely let's you down.
It's a real challenge when you're torn between two good offers, or sometimes even more, at the same time. Some would say you're lucky; having been in this position myself more than once, it's really difficult to come to a rational decision. Using the sime pro & con list may help too.
Good luck!
It's a real challenge when you're torn between two good offers, or sometimes even more, at the same time. Some would say you're lucky; having been in this position myself more than once, it's really difficult to come to a rational decision. Using the sime pro & con list may help too.
Good luck!
I work between several outfits much like you describe I may get a week here out of one then 4 months out of another. The key in my line of work is to be reliable and upfront.
It is ok to say no to work but it is NOT ok to sack one job off to start another. It is also ok with the groups I work to say no, if you stick to the advice of being reliable, not a complete buffoon and competent you should be on to a winner.
That being said of they give you the heave ho and don't let you stay on the books this may give you motivation to seek new contract and take it from there. Either way good luck and happy hunting.
It is ok to say no to work but it is NOT ok to sack one job off to start another. It is also ok with the groups I work to say no, if you stick to the advice of being reliable, not a complete buffoon and competent you should be on to a winner.
That being said of they give you the heave ho and don't let you stay on the books this may give you motivation to seek new contract and take it from there. Either way good luck and happy hunting.
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