Hmm... isn't the whole point of contract work that neither party is expected to make a commitment?<p>The OP's scenario implies that all the obligation runs in one direction -- the contractor is morally obligated to stick around until the project is over. That's not how a business relationship is supposed to work.<p>The company will certainly fire the contractor the instant it makes fiscal sense. It is only fair that the contractor should quit the instant it makes fiscal sense.<p>If the company wants to incent the contractor to stick around, they need to hire the contractor as a regular employee, providing insurance, pension, stock options...