Retainer fee advice
Author
Discussion

Xenocide

Original Poster:

4,286 posts

235 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
I was wondering if I could pick the brains of the PH bods.

I've recently handed in my resignation. I work in the IT department in a very technical role running the network for about 1000 users. Now my manager mentioned to me a retainer offer is being put together to enable them to ask me questions for three months after I've gone in case it's not covered in my handover procedure (new bod won't be in by the time I go).

Now I don't have a problem with that so long as the communication methods are sensible. What I was wondering is what sort of fee would be acceptable?

1 months wage?
1.5 months?
2?

Has anybody ever heard of a retainer in this sort of situation? I've only heard of it in terms of lawyers, etc.

cheers

lestag

4,614 posts

303 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Xenocide said:
I was wondering if I could pick the brains of the PH bods.

I've recently handed in my resignation. I work in the IT department in a very technical role running the network for about 1000 users. Now my manager mentioned to me a retainer offer is being put together to enable them to ask me questions for three months after I've gone in case it's not covered in my handover procedure (new bod won't be in by the time I go).

Now I don't have a problem with that so long as the communication methods are sensible. What I was wondering is what sort of fee would be acceptable?

1 months wage?
1.5 months?
2?

Has anybody ever heard of a retainer in this sort of situation? I've only heard of it in terms of lawyers, etc.

cheers
What would it cost them as an hourly rate for a contractor of equivilent skill to help them?

To me a small fee per week plus the actual time you take to help.

To put it simply, being too greedy can kill goodwill and good references, which are priceless.

Just ask them what they were thinking of in terms of fee and either accept it or don't.

I have never charged a cent but perhaps i'm just a banghead

Nickellarse

533 posts

216 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
A small retainer, say £250-300 per week would cover it. To large and it will be a mill stone, too small and you feel like they are taking the proverbial.

You do need to be careful about what your new employer might think about the arrangement though. Will it impact on your new role, especially in the all important first few weeks.

Xenocide

Original Poster:

4,286 posts

235 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
Thanks guys. Some good advice smile

anonymous-user

81 months

Friday 26th March 2010
quotequote all
I would not take the retainer, it places you under an obligation to help and the timing/volume may mess your new job, and it could conflict with your new contract, I'd offer to answer resonable questions free, then you control the amount and timing, your new employer will accept that as it will indicate you would notleave them in stuck either.
I left amajor oil company three years ago, when they closed the business unit I was in down, answered the questions they asked by email for free, and they thought I was great,when thhey need my skills again they phoned me up and offerd me a position, and I am now baclk with them.
Many years ago I left a Company befor the year end and I agreed to be available to them If they paid me the bonus for the whole year,