I was displaced last year and still cannot find a fulltime parmanent position. I started thinking maybe I should apply for a contractor position. I have never worked as a contractor before, so I have a question for current and former contractors. Is it a contract violation to keep looking for other opportunities or to have job interviews with other companies while working as a contractor? Will I be penalized?
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No. Remember there is a contract between the contractor and the Contracting company, say Ajax, and between the contracting company and Wells Fargo. if you leave early it is with the contracting company. They will easily find a replacement.
If we breach the contract (i.e. leaving early), do we have to pay back some of the earnings? That's bad!
@aw+1jtp9gscv is correct. Depends on the climate. Sometimes, Apex or "whoever" encourages you to find a job with the company (their changeover reward is a bonus and worth more to them than if you stay on as a contractor). This can work against you.
@aw+1jtp9gscv, I appreciate your very helpful information. I am also concerned about potential financial penalty in case of contract breach by employees. The worst case scenario could be that a leaving employee might be asked to pay back some of his earnings. Have you seen such clause in the contractual agreement?
The answers to your Q’s all reside in what the employment contract says when you sign it. No one can give you a definitive answer until you have a contract to read and sign.
That being said the worst I’ve seen are general non-compete type contracts. Especially if you contract through a third party.
Usually the third party will have it on lockdown but you can’t work for a company like Apex Systems as a contractor to Wells Fargo then take a job directly with Wells Fargo. Atleast not unless Apex gets a cut. Common sense things, can’t interview for a position with a third party, find out who the actual customer is then go interview with them directly. The customer will blacklist you if there is anyway either party can find out just to stay out of each others ways in legal squabbles.
Some have non-competes also where if you complete a contract and are released you can’t then go work for that same customer in any capacity for a set period of time without folks being due some remuneration.
Contracting companies are built on high turnover. They expect you to find something else. There's also a limit on contractor time.
The company you work at wouldn’t hesitate to let you go. The contracting company only wants to make money off your contract. Don’t feel bad about looking out for yourself.
Read whatever you sign (make sure you don't have to stay there that long or have to pay anything back). IMO its like any other job, you can leave whenever you want if its at will employment. Companies can fire you whenever they want and your contract can let you go whenever.
Do it very discreetly. As a contractor you are employed by Company A but work at Company B.
Do not let either of these companies especially Company B find out that you are interviewing etc.
If Company B discovers you are looking for another job, they will cut you loose immediately.
No, you can be let go at any time.