Client requested travel to India

[Calvin]

Hi folks,

Does anyone have experience of their end client requesting them to visit their team in India? I was thinking of asking for increased rate for the days away from the UK.

thanks

[aoxomoxoa]

Good luck with that!

If you're lucky you'll get a decent hotel and business class travel plus out of pocket expenses. Never heard of getting an enhanced rate, but I guess you may be able to negotiate a paid day to recover from jet lag when you get back to the UK.

[TheFaQQer]

What does your contract say about working away? When I've done it, I've never charged more for the work just because of the location.

When I do a long trip, I expect to be in a decent hotel, and a business class flight, with all expenses met. If not, I don't go.

[TestMangler]

Hi folks,

Does anyone have experience of their end client requesting them to visit their team in India? I was thinking of asking for compensation for the terminal skitters that I will undoubtedly contract.

thanks

FTFY

[Calvin]

Ah, the basics... My contract. Thanks for that reminder TheFaQQer.

[northernladuk]

What does your contract say about working away? When I've done it, I've never charged more for the work just because of the location.

When I do a long trip, I expect to be in a decent hotel, and a business class flight, with all expenses met. If not, I don't go.

This ^^. I'd also expect a bit of flexibility when it comes to bad flight times and coming in next day as well. Just point out it's not in their best interest to have you in jet lagged, you just won't perform properly. Every client I have been with have been ok with this but I am sure we had some posters in the past where the client expected them in next day whatever.

Saying that had one flight delayed and didn't land until 3am. Couple of hours kip and turned in at normal time. The client was mightily impressed and did me no harm at all in the long run. None of the permies would have even considered it. Certainly wouldn't make it the norm though.

[TheFaQQer]

This ^^. I'd also expect a bit of flexibility when it comes to bad flight times and coming in next day as well. Just point out it's not in their best interest to have you in jet lagged, you just won't perform properly. Every client I have been with have been ok with this but I am sure we had some posters in the past where the client expected them in next day whatever.

Saying that had one flight delayed and didn't land until 3am. Couple of hours kip and turned in at normal time. The client was mightily impressed and did me no harm at all in the long run. None of the permies would have even considered it. Certainly wouldn't make it the norm though.

Last time I did it (not to India), I flew out on the Friday night and got into the hotel about 1130 Saturday night. I spent all day Sunday by the pool and lounging (didn't charge). When I flew back, I left on the Wednesday night, landed about 8am Thursday morning, and was into work about 9. Stopped work early, though because I was shattered, and had a slow day the following day because I was still getting the hours right.

I probably could have billed more on the way out and an extra day on the way back, but I didn't ask about it, to be honest. What's an extra day on a 24 month (and counting) contract??

[CoolCat]

Only do it if you fly business class, economy with the great unwashed to and from India will be no fun

Charge them an enhanced rate too, risk money for having to deal with the place

Better still tell them to hire a British team and stop being traitors

[barrydidit]

Terminal skitters is a valid point. I've been a couple of times and have really suffered - needed 3 days off on my return from the first visit. That wouldn't be a good result for a contractor. You'll just need to be super careful with what you eat (pretend to be vegetarian) and especially when brushing your teeth in the hotel - it's bottled water for everything, no exceptions.

Business flights and decent accommodation is probably a given - don't go otherwise.

[SueEllen]

Only do it if you fly business class, economy with the great unwashed to and from India will be no fun

On one of the airport programs they stated they take longer to clean the plane if the flight landed from India.