Difference between contracted hours and 'Expected hours'

[psychocandy]

I'm on a day rate which is why it's a pain. If I were on an hourly rate I wouldn't really mind. I would normally take only a 15 to 30 minute lunch break or just eat at my desk while I work whereas now I actually take the time to go out and will use up as much as possible.

Another oddity is that in general there is a very flexible working environment: almost everyone works from home at least one day a week. I on the other hand am not permitted to. No big deal as although for me it has been really nice when I've been able to do it, it isn't in my contract so I can't moan. On the occasion that I actually needed to work from home this was denied. To put it into perspective I'm one of a growing number of contractors who actually lives outside the UK and I commute in each week. I've always had enough flexibility to allow me to either leave early on a friday to catch my flight home, or even to work one day from home and spend some extra time with my kids. Some degree of flexibility was outlined in my interviews and all pre-contract discussions. What this actually translates to though is that they have finally agreed that I may leave at 4pm every other friday in order to catch the last flight home.

Just yesterday they were commenting that they want me to extend. I'm looking for another contract.

Want to extend because you've been dull enough to do these 10/11 hour days probably :-)

[jmo21]

Forget IR35, or even if they are paying hourly, and you would get paid for it.

I'd tell them, politely, to shove it on the spot.

"I'm sorry, there has clearly been some mistake, my contract says X hours, and while I do not mind working an extra hour here and there for deadlines etc, I did not quote a rate for that amount of hours, nor expect to be working that amount of time. If this is an issue, then I will give my agency a call and hand in my notice. If you want me to leave now, I will".

Edit: Jesus - just did a quick calculation, it soon adds up - £16,000 free work over a 6 month contract on my current rate if I were to be bent over like that.

Edit 2: just noticed you are coming from abroad and wondering if they are taking advantage compared to a UK contractor who might not play ball.