Client dictating hours

[JRCT]

I always used to ask during the interview what flexibility there was on start \ finish time

Same here, although it's sometimes difficult to word that in a way that doesn't make you sound like you want to come in at 10 and sneak off at half 3.

[TheFaQQer]

Same here, although it's sometimes difficult to word that in a way that doesn't make you sound like you want to come in at 10 and sneak off at half 3.

"Since I'll be spending lots of time travelling to get here, you won't see me early on a Monday morning or on a Friday afternoon because I know I need to be on the train or plane at that time. I'll make sure that I do some additional hours in the week so that everything evens out, but if that's likely to cause a problem then we may as well end the interview now as I know I can't possibly be there at 9am on a Monday morning because of the plane / train times".

[cojak]

"Since I'll be spending lots of time travelling to get here, you won't see me early on a Monday morning or on a Friday afternoon because I know I need to be on the train or plane at that time. I'll make sure that I do some additional hours in the week so that everything evens out, but if that's likely to cause a problem then we may as well end the interview now as I know I can't possibly be there at 9am on a Monday morning because of the plane / train times".

WTFS

And word it in a similar way if you have over an hour journey time to and from work.

I don't mind working late close to milestones and launch but I'm not prepared to either get home at 7.45 every night or stop over when I was sold a contract "that's just over an hour door-to-door'" by the agent.

(Also I now hear the alarm bells when an agent tells me he's using Google maps...)

[Dark Black]

Very rarely do I work 9-5, I'm there to get the job done not play permie.

Always ensure contract has project details and no specific hours mentioned. If you are genuinely in business on your own account then work the hours that suit you in order to fulfil the project.

Simples.

Sounds good, but how practical/feasible is it?

Surprisingly feasible, if a contract has hours on it I generally come back with the request to remove them to "allow flexibility with the client for completing the project on time". Works a lot of the time

[PerfectStorm]

"Since I'll be spending lots of time travelling to get here, you won't see me early on a Monday morning or on a Friday afternoon because I know I need to be on the train or plane at that time. I'll make sure that I do some additional hours in the week so that everything evens out, but if that's likely to cause a problem then we may as well end the interview now as I know I can't possibly be there at 9am on a Monday morning because of the plane / train times".

Well that sounds like bollocks for starters.

[TheFaQQer]

Well that sounds like bollocks for starters.

That's generally how I explain the situation to my clients, but obviously you have an alternative view.

Are you planning on elucidating further - what doesn't ring true to you, based on your extensive contracting experience of less than a year?

[SueEllen]

Well that sounds like bollocks for starters.

Why is that bollocks?

I've actually had a few clients offer this to me. Funny thing is those clients were ones I could get to before 9am.

[tractor]

WTFS

And word it in a similar way if you have over an hour journey time to and from work.

I don't mind working late close to milestones and launch but I'm not prepared to either get home at 7.45 every night or stop over when I was sold a contract "that's just over an hour door-to-door'" by the agent.

(Also I now hear the alarm bells when an agent tells me he's using Google maps... anything)

FTFY

[BolshieBastard]

Well that sounds like bollocks for starters.

What the exact wording is, is down to the individual. The point is, you're setting expectations and some ground rule so no stuck up permie 'line manager' or even contract 'line manager' starts the old tapping the watch when you get in.

I had no problem with clients saying they wanted you at the desk x to y up front. You could try and get some flexibility there and then and if not forthcoming, decline the role.

[paulinefowlersgrowler]

Contract just says 7.5 hours per day.
To be fair they mentioned the other hours at interview so fair enough. Its just a right PITA to be stuck doing 9-5.

Maybe I should start mentioning at interview. Always scared that it puts people off. MAkes you look like a bit of a clock watcher.