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Can you leave a contract job if you suddenly realize it’s not right for you? You might wonder what your options are if you have indeed signed a contract with an employer but want to opt out.
In this article, I’ll explain when you can leave a contract job, what to look for in your contract, how to know if quitting is the right option, and much more.
Can you quit a contract job?
The simple answer is yes. You can always leave a contract job since no one can make you work for them without your voluntary participation.
But leaving a contract job may come with a few stipulations, including termination fees, timing requirements and other details. We will explore them all in this article.
What to look for in your contract
Whether you’ve already signed a contract and now want to leave your contract job or you haven’t signed yet and want to make sure you keep your options open when signing, let’s go over what you should look for in Your contract.
Clearly defined termination conditions
First, you want to be very clear about the circumstances under which you can terminate contract employment. There can be a lot here, but watch for the following terms in your contract and consult an attorney if you have questions.
Notice period – This is the time before quitting smoking that you must inform your client of. This usually lasts between 2 weeks and 30 days. So while you can leave your contract job at any time, you may have to wait until the notice period ends before you’ve actually completed your job.
Grounds for termination – These are the circumstances in which it is appropriate for you to resign from a contractual job. Examples include: customer failure to pay, customer failure to cooperate, customer abusive or inappropriate behavior, etc.
Early termination fees – This is a fee you have to pay to your client for their early resignation from contract employment. Alternatively, your client may have to pay you if they resign early.
Due payment – These terms answer the question: what happens to any outstanding balance when I leave my contract employment? Generally, you will be entitled to compensation for the work you have done, but rarely more. Especially if you’re the one giving up.
Deliverables – If you leave a contract job prematurely, it is important to know what happens to completed or partially completed deliverables. Most often, you will return any work the client paid for.
Intellectual property rights – It’s a question of ownership. If you resign from a contract position, who will own the work completed or partially completed so far?
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There may be other conditions you’ll want to be aware of if you’re considering leaving contract employment. Also keep in mind that I am not a lawyer. Although I have thoroughly researched these points and have some legal experience, I recommend that you speak to a real lawyer whenever you need help with a contract.
Should you really leave a contract job?
Just because a project isn’t going well doesn’t mean the best solution is to resign from a contract position.
Before jumping straight to “I quit,” here are a few questions to ask yourself:
Is there a way to quickly resolve the issues I’m facing?
If the reason you quit smoking is easily solvable, take this step first. If the reasons are inexcusable (like abuse or misconduct), then quitting smoking is your best option.
Is there anyone else I could work with to resolve the issue?
Maybe the client you’re working with has a supervisor and the only way to resolve the issue is to “go over their head” to their boss. While this may not be the best solution for a long-term relationship with this client, it could help get the project over the finish line.
Is there any way I can just stick it out and complete this project?
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Leaving a contract job means giving up work and income. If there’s a chance that you can resolve the issues you’re facing and see the project through to completion, that’s ideal. This doesn’t mean you have to work with this client again, but it may be easier to just grit your teeth and get through it.
Are there other solutions?
Maybe it’s time to get creative. For example, could you subcontract the rest of this work to another contractor? Can you pause the project while your client resolves issues on their end? Can the project scope be changed to complete the project faster?
How to Officially Quit a Contract Job
If you’ve reviewed your contract and feel comfortable moving forward, there are right and wrong ways to resign from a contract job.
Here are some ways to make things easier:
Try to resolve problems and give fair warnings
Before you leave your contract job, you may want to try to resolve the issues you are having with your client and reasonably warn them that you are preparing to resign.
You might say something like this over the phone or via email:
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Hi, Tom. I’m still waiting for this copy that you agreed to send me. Unfortunately, I cannot move forward with your project until you have sent me all the elements. If I don’t receive them by Friday, I may have to resign from this position.
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Have an open conversation with your customer
Any type of resignation from a contract job should begin with an open and honest conversation with your client.
Don’t beat around the bush. Schedule a meeting (don’t do this via text or email) and start with something like this:
Hi, Tom. Thanks for meeting me today. I wanted to let you know that this project is not working. As I mentioned before, I need the assets to complete the project on time. Since you have repeatedly ignored my request for assets, I will have to stop working on this project. I will send you all the work done so far and you can find another contractor to work with you.
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Settle all the details and make your work stoppage official
Finally, take the time to send any files, updates, or other information your client may need moving forward. Then make your departure official with a formal resignation letter.
I have included 3 sample resignation letters below that you can send via email or paper mail.
Contract Job Resignation Letter Templates
Contract Job Resignation Letter (Short)
Dear [Client Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position as [position title] on the [project name] project, efficient [date]. Unfortunately, I can no longer continue working on this project due to [reasons for termination]. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you and your team. Please let me know if you need anything during this transition period.
Sincerely,
[Contractor Name]
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Resignation letter from contractual employment (medium)
Dear [Client Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am resigning from my position as [position title] on the [project name] project, efficient [date]. After careful consideration, I have decided that I can no longer continue in this position with your company.
In the last [duration of project]I enjoyed working with you and your team on [brief description of project]. Unfortunately, due to [reasons for termination]I feel that I am no longer able to meet the demands and expectations of this position.
I want to assure you that I will do everything in my power to make this transition as smooth as possible. I will be available next [duration] to help me hand over my work and responsibilities to others. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to make this process easier.
I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to work on this impactful project. It was a pleasure working with you and your competent team. I wish you and [company name] all the best moving forward. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need anything during this transition period.
Sincerely,
[Contractor Name]
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Contract Job Resignation Letter (Long)
Dear [Client Name],
I am writing this letter to officially inform you of my resignation from my role as [position title] on the [project name] project, efficient [date]. This was not an easy decision to make, but after careful consideration, I have determined that I can no longer continue in this position with your company.
As you know, I was brought [duration] There is [summary of role and responsibilities]. During this time, I have enjoyed working closely with you and your team and am proud of what we have accomplished together on [project achievements].
However, due to [reasons for termination], I no longer feel able to meet the demands and expectations of this role. I found myself struggling with [challenges faced] which has affected my ability to accomplish the necessary work with the caliber you and your team deserve.
Please know that I remain committed to making this transition period as smooth as possible. During the next [duration], I will be available to help you assign critical work and responsibilities to others. I am happy to train my potential replacement and provide them with all necessary information and information to bring them up to speed. If there are any specific documents, data, or summaries that could facilitate this process, please let me know and I will prioritize their completion.
Although I know that my departure leaves you in a difficult situation, I have the greatest confidence in your leadership and the competence of your team to continue to move this project forward. You have assembled an incredible group of professionals who I know will be up to the task.
I would like to thank you once again for the opportunity to be part of the team working on such an exciting and meaningful project. I wish you and [company name] the best, and please contact me if I can help you in any way during this transition.
Sincerely,
[Contractor Name]
SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
To stop or not to stop?
After reading this article, if you are still wondering whether or not you should quit a contract job, I feel your pain. Breaking up with a client can be a painful process and certainly has financial consequences as well.
But remember that continuing to work with frustrating customers can also lead to problems in your business. If the project gets to the point where the project is no longer profitable or your emotional health is suffering due to a poor client-contractor relationship, it’s probably time to quit.
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