Days off / holidays etc?

[SueEllen]

U dont ask if they've got any objections? Just tell them?

1. Get a copy/view of the project plan (if you aren't the one responsible for making it)
2. Look for a down period
3. Book holiday/flights/whatever and tell client management when you are off

General rule no-one cares much if you are off for up to one week.

I've got an issue at the moment. Spoke to mgr and asked in general about renewals and he said yes it would happen so I mentioned holiday plans for few months time. His answer was depends on project plan but should be ok.

So I emailed him to confirm - no reply. That was two weeks ago. Since then I've left two voice mails for him (hes in a different office than me) no reply. Sent another mail - no reply.

No reply because he hasn't done the project plan.

Do I just think sod it and go ahead? Or is likely to all kick off if I book it and then tell them tough titty I'm off ?

Email him and tell him you have booked a holiday for dates after the conversation you had on xx date.

[psychocandy]

1. Get a copy/view of the project plan (if you aren't the one responsible for making it)
2. Look for a down period
3. Book holiday/flights/whatever and tell client management when you are off

General rule no-one cares much if you are off for up to one week.


No reply because he hasn't done the project plan.


Email him and tell him you have booked a holiday for dates after the conversation you had on xx date.

Two weeks off needed. Yep - it does look like I'm not down for much on project plan for these dates (yet!).

[Wanderer]

So I emailed him to confirm - no reply. Do I just think sod it and go ahead? Or is likely to all kick off if I book it and then tell them tough titty I'm off ?

He said it should be OK and then you confirmed it in writing. Him not replying is a tacit acceptance that you are unavailable for work on those days so just leave it there. I would feign surprise and disappointment if he tried to deny it later (as this is an ugly trick to pull) and then produce the emails as proof.

If it kicks off then tell them that as the holiday was pre-approved, booked and non-refundable you have been put in a difficult position. Make it plain that you will do all you can to help in the time you have left but they would have to come up with something very compelling for you to change your plans.

[psychocandy]

He said it should be OK and then you confirmed it in writing. Him not replying is a tacit acceptance that you are unavailable for work on those days so just leave it there. I would feign surprise and disappointment if he tried to deny it later (as this is an ugly trick to pull) and then produce the emails as proof.

If it kicks off then tell them that as the holiday was pre-approved, booked and non-refundable you have been put in a difficult position. Make it plain that you will do all you can to help in the time you have left but they would have to come up with something very compelling for you to change your plans.

Mrs booked but not travelagent booked yet. Wish I hadnt admitted that but I was trying to be helpful and would have changed plans until a few weeks later if it had been a problem. But hes putting me on the spot a bit now.

Would be much happier with a simple OK reply or acceptance that he'd recieved email though.

[andyc2000]

What is all the fuss about? "I'm going on holiday at such and such a time - let me know if that is going to be an issue?"

Last year I went on holiday which was technically for the first 2 weeks of a renewell, I managed to get the new contract to start from when I came back from holiday - 2 weeks extra on the end of the contract - simples.

[psychocandy]

What is all the fuss about? "I'm going on holiday at such and such a time - let me know if that is going to be an issue?"

Last year I went on holiday which was technically for the first 2 weeks of a renewell, I managed to get the new contract to start from when I came back from holiday - 2 weeks extra on the end of the contract - simples.

Now that would be easier. Wish I'd worded if like that now - would have put onus on him.

[jmo21]

What is all the fuss about? "I'm going on holiday at such and such a time - let me know if that is going to be an issue?"

Last year I went on holiday which was technically for the first 2 weeks of a renewell, I managed to get the new contract to start from when I came back from holiday - 2 weeks extra on the end of the contract - simples.

I quite often do this as well.

[BolshieBastard]

Seems that contracting has changed quite a bit in the 10 years that I've been out of it and back as a permie.

How are clients with days off / holidays these days? Obviously, you dont get paid but when I last contracted you were treated same as permies - request time off and it gets OKed as a permie would.

Or have things changed a little and they client expects none/few holidays during a contract?

Saying that though, as an employee of your own company, arent you forced by law to give yourself a minumum amount of holidays per year? Does that have any affect?

I guess it could get you into trouble even if you didnt want to take the holidays?

My approach is this, I rarely take holidays during contracts and never during the first 3 months. In the last 5 years, the only holidays I've taken in almost continuous work, are the bank holidays and Christmas to New Year break.

If I do need any time away, I always tell the client my work position (up to date no meetings scheduled, no matters requiring urgent attention, appropriate people briefed regarding current position etc) and that I will not be in the office on the relevant days.

I never 'ask' the client for permission for time off as that's direction and control in my book.

With the market how it is these last few years, I think it is unwise to take unpaid time off when you can be out of contract and not earning for quite a few weeks.

[kaiser78]

I did a role a couple of years ago at one of the major banks - had 2 full weeks off in 15 months, one of them being over xmas. Also cancelled a weekend break at one point. When I did ask for a 2 week holiday they said no, so I left. One of my best moves ever and no regrets.

[kaiser78]

My approach is this, I rarely take holidays during contracts and never during the first 3 months. In the last 5 years, the only holidays I've taken in almost continuous work, are the bank holidays and Christmas to New Year break.

If I do need any time away, I always tell the client my work position (up to date no meetings scheduled, no matters requiring urgent attention, appropriate people briefed regarding current position etc) and that I will not be in the office on the relevant days.I never 'ask' the client for permission for time off as that's direction and control in my book.

With the market how it is these last few years, I think it is unwise to take unpaid time off when you can be out of contract and not earning for quite a few weeks.

But you check cover availability of colleagues during this time,yes, being professional and all that ?