Time Off in Contracting 2015

[rocktronAMP]

I am debating with several people, family, friends about contractors/consultants about having time off inside a gig.

What is a reasonable balance between working, say, a 6 month contract and taking time off?
(Out of 110 working days on average, how days off would you take as a contractor?)


Cases #1: Pending events before a new contract

You already booked a break with your spouse before you take a new contract.
This is definitely relevant at this time of the year: heading for a break in the Sun.

How do you explain to a potential client that you will be away?
When do you explain to a potential client?
If you are searching for a new gig, do you let recruitment agents knows that you have a pending holiday?
Are you honest or dishonest?


Case #2: OOTO during 6 month contract

You are already in a contract, and you want or need some time away. What is the best way to negotiate time away?
When do let the boss know?
Do you book your holiday/OOTO and tell the boss?
Or do you ask the boss first and then book it?


Case #3: OOTO in a shorter contract (1-3 months)

Say, you in a contract thats last 3 months without possibility of renewals. Do you take any time off at all?
What if you have an immovable events such as a new kitchen installation or maybe a child's Disney holiday. (maybe this related to the case #1, because if there was an immovable event like that, I would knock it back and wait for a contract gig that is longer with more flexibility or use up the war chest. However, I just interested in what other contractors normally do in this situation.)


Case #4: OOTO because of Training

Say you want to attend a IT conference or have a speaking engagement. Conferences and training tend to have 2+ months lead times and I find that there is sometimes a conflict of interest. I have already committed to a conference event especially if I am a speaker versus the project milestones of [potential] client. I wonder if other contractor/consultant are fighting with similar issues and how they strike a balance.


(I suspect that the consensus will be six of one half a dozen of the other: "one client tells you that you are too expensive and another client tells you that you are too cheap." In other words, you can't win

[Pherlopolus]

" Hi/Dear sir or Madam, Just letting you know I am unavailable for the following dates, thanks, Me."

Prospective clients only need to know once they have become current clients...

[jmo21]

If I am currently in a contract I will aim to book holidays for just after I finish. Should an extension be offered, I will accept (usually!) and caveat it with I am on holiday from Xth til Yth. Never had an issue with this.

If I am not currently in a contract, I will book holidays for whenever I like, but usually more than 3 months away.

In most cases, I do not tell an agent about any holidays when I am applying for a role as I am convinced they will automatically bin your CV just in case the client don't like it, even though in 99% of cases, the client would probably not give a toss so long as they want to hire you.

If I was applying for a contract that was only 1-3 month long, only then would I tell the agent, and in that case I would expect them to bin, and wouldn't be fussed about it.

[TheFaQQer]

What is a reasonable balance between working, say, a 6 month contract and taking time off?

Whatever you and the client are mutually comfortable with.

Cases #1: Pending events before a new contract

1. How do you explain to a potential client that you will be away?
2. When do you explain to a potential client?
3. If you are searching for a new gig, do you let recruitment agents knows that you have a pending holiday?
4. Are you honest or dishonest?

1) "I am unavailable between these dates"
2) As soon as it becomes relevant- usually at the interview, though.
3) Yes
4) FFS. Honest.

Case #2: OOTO during 6 month contract

1. You are already in a contract, and you want or need some time away. What is the best way to negotiate time away?
2. When do let the boss know?
3. Do you book your holiday/OOTO and tell the boss?
4. Or do you ask the boss first and then book it?

1) "I am unavailable between these dates. Who should I hand over my work to? If it's massively inconvenient, I haven't booked it yet so can go the following week instead if that fits the plan better"
2) I have no boss - I run my own company. But I inform the client of my likely unavailability as soon as I know about it
3) I have no boss
4) I have no boss

Case #3: OOTO in a shorter contract (1-3 months)

Say, you in a contract thats last 3 months without possibility of renewals. Do you take any time off at all?
What if you have an immovable events such as a new kitchen installation or maybe a child's Disney holiday. (maybe this related to the case #1, because if there was an immovable event like that, I would knock it back and wait for a contract gig that is longer with more flexibility or use up the war chest. However, I just interested in what other contractors normally do in this situation.)

Why would me getting a new kitchen impact my ability to work?

Case #4: OOTO because of Training

Say you want to attend a IT conference or have a speaking engagement. Conferences and training tend to have 2+ months lead times and I find that there is sometimes a conflict of interest. I have already committed to a conference event especially if I am a speaker versus the project milestones of [potential] client. I wonder if other contractor/consultant are fighting with similar issues and how they strike a balance.

"I am unavailable for these dates because I am at a conference"

It's not rocket science.

[sal]

If I am currently in a contract I will aim to book holidays for just after I finish. Should an extension be offered, I will accept (usually!) and caveat it with I am on holiday from Xth til Yth. Never had an issue with this.

If I am not currently in a contract, I will book holidays for whenever I like, but usually more than 3 months away.

In most cases, I do not tell an agent about any holidays when I am applying for a role as I am convinced they will automatically bin your CV just in case the client don't like it, even though in 99% of cases, the client would probably not give a toss so long as they want to hire you.

If I was applying for a contract that was only 1-3 month long, only then would I tell the agent, and in that case I would expect them to bin, and wouldn't be fussed about it.

^This, if i have something planned during the first month of potential new contract I will bring it up during the interview with the Client, if it's later I will treat them as any ClientCo and inform them of my unavailability after the contract starts aiming for at least 1 month notice.

As for the OP question how much time off people take during contract - how long is a piece of string?

[oscarose]

And your self-employed builder insists on a week on the Costa half way through the bathroom job and the loo ain't flushing?

[jmo21]

And your self-employed builder insists on a week on the Costa half way through the bathroom job and the loo ain't flushing?

...will have planned that into his schedule in advance..... hopefully.

We really need to bin these "what would your plumber do" scenarios.... we all know plumbers/builders/sparks etc will not turn up at the drop of a hat

[Pherlopolus]

And your self-employed builder insists on a week on the Costa half way through the bathroom job and the loo ain't flushing?

He/She has right of substitution?

[oscarose]

...will have planned that into his schedule in advance..... hopefully.

We really need to bin these "what would your plumber do" scenarios.... we all know plumbers/builders/sparks etc will not turn up at the drop of a hat

Really?

[jmo21]

Really?

IMHO.