Attending interviews while on contract

[b0redom]

The manager, while approachable, is unwavering and entirely inflexible when it comes to any time off whatsoever.

*Cough*

Direction and control.

*/Cough*

[sal]

If I had to have an interview, then I would do it at lunchtime, after work, or before work in the morning. If your prospective client cannot accommodate that, and your current client is insisting that your company provides services on the dates and times that they are contracted to provide them, then you need to find a way to do that.

This, if your current client is inflexible and doesn't allow for 1/2 days, then it's up to you to decide if it's worth losing day billing for an interview that will potentially reduce your bench time between contracts to 0

[acnm]

My current contract is on the outskirts of London - not much else around here so it would be a trip into town.

To put it into perspective I had a doctors appointment last week and arrived at 10.30am and felt like I was being interrogated. I had to go back for some tests on Friday and again yesterday and requested to work from home as I would need to pop out to the doctors (less than a minute from my house) in order to have the tests. Their first response was a flat NO, followed by a 'you can take the days off' followed finally by an agreement when I indicated that the unpaid overtime I've done amounts to several days.

I now have at least one other medical appointment coming up and potential interviews. I can see the manager bursting a blood vessel when I tell him.

[TheFaQQer]

My current contract is on the outskirts of London - not much else around here so it would be a trip into town.

Or use a phone.

To put it into perspective I had a doctors appointment last week and arrived at 10.30am and felt like I was being interrogated. I had to go back for some tests on Friday and again yesterday and requested to work from home as I would need to pop out to the doctors (less than a minute from my house) in order to have the tests. Their first response was a flat NO, followed by a 'you can take the days off' followed finally by an agreement when I indicated that the unpaid overtime I've done amounts to several days.

I now have at least one other medical appointment coming up and potential interviews. I can see the manager bursting a blood vessel when I tell him.

Sounds like you were lucky to be able to use unpaid work that you did out of the goodness of your own heart to offset time not worked in the future - next time, make sure you agree it in advance and it won't be an issue.

[BolshieBastard]

There should be some give and take by both sides towards the end of a non renewing contract. But taking time out for 3 interviews in one week is imo taking the piss a little too.

If the contract isnt being renewed and you politely inform the client you have an interview lined up and the response is 'no you arent leaving this office unless I say' then, you need to grow a pair and politely point out, yes you will be going. What are they going to do, sack you, give you a tulip reference?

[Project Monkey]

My current contract is on the outskirts of London - not much else around here so it would be a trip into town.

To put it into perspective I had a doctors appointment last week and arrived at 10.30am and felt like I was being interrogated. I had to go back for some tests on Friday and again yesterday and requested to work from home as I would need to pop out to the doctors (less than a minute from my house) in order to have the tests. Their first response was a flat NO, followed by a 'you can take the days off' followed finally by an agreement when I indicated that the unpaid overtime I've done amounts to several days.

I now have at least one other medical appointment coming up and potential interviews. I can see the manager bursting a blood vessel when I tell him.

Can't understand why your work is so important to the client, yet they're terminating your contract in (presumably) a few days time.

Is there something else you want to tell us?

[Dallas]

Is your performance based on your ability to man the desks - in which case hello IR35!

If you are on top of or ahead in your tasks why should they care the hours you keep at your desk, sign of management immaturity.

[tractor]

...

ISTM that the client is saying ok you want time off don't bill for it. Saves them a day's cost.

Accept the fact that you are in business, arrange interviews for the same day if you can and recognise that the loss on income for a few days is a cost of doing business. Too many of us forget that aspect of it all.

[acnm]

If you are on top of or ahead in your tasks why should they care the hours you keep at your desk, sign of management immaturity.

I'm pretty much the oldest one in the office. I get the feeling that the younger managers are all on a bit of a power trip - that and the fact that I seriously more experience than any of them. Given their role / status i'm often surprised at how little they know.

[northernladuk]

No flexibility. Tell them tough tulip got Dr dentist or hospital.

and they turn around and point out you are leaving contract soon so why not book it then. Stupid suggestion.