Lack of work during contract

**diseasex** · 19 October 2015, 09:25

Originally posted by sim418 View Post

Has anybody had an issue with a client not supplying enough work?

I am currently not working on a large project and keep being given very small bug fixes on a variety of different systems, however these usually take anywhere between 15 minutes to a couple of hours, I then have to continually ask for more work, therefore a lot of the time I am virtually twiddling my thumbs. I'm not complaining, I just like to keep busy !!!!

Getting to the point where I am thinking of doing my own work while in this contact.

if you can do your own work then definitely use this time and do it... just don't get cought.
While being permie a while ago, i had the same problem. endlessly browsing wasnt enough so i started to do actual side work, programming apps and selling stuff on ebay. Managed to nearly double my salary for some period

**northernladuk** · 19 October 2015, 09:51

Originally posted by diseasex View Post

if you can do your own work then definitely use this time and do it... just don't get cought.
While being permie a while ago, i had the same problem. endlessly browsing wasnt enough so i started to do actual side work, programming apps and selling on ebay. Managed to nearly double my salary for some period

I'd becareful doing your own work. Clients can be very touchy about this. It's a bit of a stupid situation but some will be happy you are doing nothing but can get upset if you look like you are doing personal stuff. It's a perception thing.

I've been in this situation before and I ended up agreeing that the client would terminate my contract early when I found another gig so the two dovetailed and I got some IR35 defense. We say just invoice but gigs like this can be soul destroying.

I'd say sit down with the client manager and have a frank discussion with him. If he understands you could work out a nice exit on to something much more interesting if he could up your workload if he knows you are going to leave.

I can't help think being given bit n bobs and you asking for more work could become an IR35 issue as well so even more reason to go.

**diseasex** · 19 October 2015, 09:56

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

I'd becareful doing your own work. Clients can be very touchy about this. It's a bit of a stupid situation but some will be happy you are doing nothing but can get upset if you look like you are doing personal stuff. It's a perception thing.

I've been in this situation before and I ended up agreeing that the client would terminate my contract early when I found another gig so the two dovetailed and I got some IR35 defense. We say just invoice but gigs like this can be soul destroying.

I'd say sit down with the client manager and have a frank discussion with him. If he understands you could work out a nice exit on to something much more interesting if he could up your workload if he knows you are going to leave.

I can't help think being given bit n bobs and you asking for more work could become an IR35 issue as well so even more reason to go.

on the other hand doing other business activities might be nice point against being cought in IR35. if that's seen on the accounts then you are not disguised employee in the end, but working on your business.

Risk is big though , if you can't get cought then i guess it should be fine. Depending on the type of the side work you are planning to do of course.

**unixman** · 19 October 2015, 09:57

Not having enough work can be the most challenging thing to deal with. Many years ago I did a 3 month gig which was unbearable. 400 dabs a day but *nothing* to do.

Don't do your own (money making) work. Surf, learn, by all means write some practice scripts/programs to sharpen your skills. But don't do any paying work, not in your clients time & on their premises. For a permie that would be a sackable offense, and for you, the client would likely bin you on the spot. Might make getting references a little tricky.

**diseasex** · 19 October 2015, 09:59

Originally posted by unixman View Post

Not having enough work can be the most challenging thing to deal with. Many years ago I did a 3 month gig which was unbearable. 400 dabs a day but *nothing* to do.

Don't do your own (money making) work. Surf, learn, by all means write some practice scripts/programs to sharpen your skills. But don't do any paying work, not in your clients time & on their premises. For a permie that would be a sackable offense, and for you, the client would likely bin you on the spot. Might make getting references a little tricky.

again depends on the environment hes working in . if hes alone, on external network, i cant see why not...

**unixman** · 19 October 2015, 10:03

Originally posted by diseasex View Post

on the other hand doing other business activities might be nice point against being cought in IR35. if that's seen on the accounts then you are not disguised employee in the end, but working on your business..

Interesting point. I think for it to work IR35-wise the client would have to consent, and it would have to be mentioned in the contract. Otherwise you are just behaving otherwise then specified in the contract, perhaps breaching it.

**northernladuk** · 19 October 2015, 10:04

Originally posted by diseasex View Post

on the other hand doing other business activities might be nice point against being cought in IR35. if that's seen on the accounts then you are not disguised employee in the end, but working on your business.

Risk is big though , if you can't get cought then i guess it should be fine. Depending on the type of the side work you are planning to do of course.

No it won't. He is contracted to do a days work. Filling in with his own stuff is not evidence of dual working.

**northernladuk** · 19 October 2015, 10:04

Originally posted by diseasex View Post

again depends on the environment hes working in . if hes alone, on external network, i cant see why not...

Again because he is contracted and paid to work for the client. Oddly enough they maybe happy to pay him to do nothing but won't be happy paying him to do his own stuff

**diseasex** · 19 October 2015, 10:06

Originally posted by unixman View Post

Interesting point. I think for it to work IR35-wise the client would have to consent, and it would have to be mentioned in the contract. Otherwise you are just behaving otherwise then specified in the contract, perhaps breaching it.

Providing he doesnt hire his wife, which is on payroll, to do that side activity - at least thats what he could say...

Not being an expert but my accountant said that having other business activity (like ebay trading in my case) is a good thing IR35 wise..

Lack of work during contract