Your prime is going to jail; now what?

A 1099 reader recently sent me the latest work gossip about her prime and it's juicy:

The prime company she work for has been suspended from government contracting.

Wow! Get some popcorn and take a seat...

Okay so from afar this is juicy.

However, as the impacted 1099, you don't want your prime to go to jail (or do you...?) because the status of the contract is unclear and potentially puts you out of a job and that is stressful.

So what should you do?

There are a few scenarios:

• If the work was important, the government client will likely move it to another contract with another prime, which means you should ask your government client for a referral to their PM and get set up as a 1099 that way
• If the work doesn't get shifted to another contract, you can still network internally at your agency to see if there are other contracts that you'd be suited for
• If you don't have luck with the above, tap your network to find another gig outside of your current client organization

Another reader literally did have his employer convicted of a crime, and he spun that into a 1099 opportunity when the government moved the work to another contract.

Your prime being suspended or going to jail is obviously a rare event. BUT, there are lots of things that could happen that would leave you without a sub-contract.

Prepare by:

• Building up a savings fund specifically for this purpose
• Cultivating your network
• Maintaining good client relationships
• Be good at your job

If you prepare, these interruptions will be less traumatic and stressful.

And remember, stay out of jail kids.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.