Client wants me on site at all times. .....can I refuse?

**PerfectStorm** · 15 February 2016, 22:41

It's their choice as to how they operate their business going forward. If you agreed to it, you agreed to it. You have no recourse unless you can appeal to their human nature.

Personally, if you're not fussed about losing the gig - don't ask, take.

**LondonManc** · 15 February 2016, 22:44

Ask your boss how long it takes to gain their trust so that you have the opportunity of working from home too. Of course if you don't want to work there for long, demand it.....

**northernladuk** · 15 February 2016, 23:05

He's notnyour boss he's your client. Another word for that is customer. You think going in demanding stuff from customers works? At best he'll think you are unprofessional but probably let you work your notice. I wouldn't but that's that.

If you got in and delivered hard for a month or so the same grace maybe extended to you. Acting like a spoilt child won't get you anything.

I've followed contractors like you in to gig's and it's been hard because of the fall out your type leave. You'll get zero sympathy here when you get walked.

**tomtomagain** · 15 February 2016, 23:08

Originally posted by Willy Win View Post

How best should I approach this? Demand from my boss that I should be able to work from home and point to the fact that everyone else does, put up and shut up or speak to my agency? I feel like I'm being singled out which doesn't seem right.

There could be lots of reasons why this is the case and it is very unlikely that you are being singled out for any thing that you have done - you haven't been there long enough!

It could be that the boss likes to get to know people before trusting them to WFH.

It could be that he feels your role must be done in the office.

It could be that he has to have someone onsite all the time ( support cover or just plain politics )

Or maybe he's planning on scrapping WFH but cannot with the existing team because of clauses in their contracts.

I'd start by asking the existing team members because once you can understand their position you'll be in a better place to talk politely to your boss. Don't think there's anything wrong with raising it .... but I wouldn't go "demanding" until you've proven yourself in the team, understand the politics and have earned a bit of respect and trust.

**northernladuk** · 15 February 2016, 23:10

**clearedforlanding** · 15 February 2016, 23:21

Originally posted by Willy Win View Post

Had an interview for a gig during which the hiring manager stressed that in the contract working from home was not allowed. I didn't argue at the time as I needed the gig.

After starting I assumed that this would be the case for everyone in the Team but have found out that the other consultants and contractors who have been working there for longer (bar some administrators) are working from home once a week. I'm not happy about this at all but also don't want to cause any friction during my first 2 weeks .

How best should I approach this? Demand from my boss that I should be able to work from home and point to the fact that everyone else does, put up and shut up or speak to my agency? I feel like I'm being singled out which doesn't seem right.

He explicitly told you this during the interview and you are whining in the first 2 weeks?

Do your fellow contractors & the one that will replace you a favour: Serve your notice gracefully.

**SueEllen** · 15 February 2016, 23:40

Originally posted by Willy Win View Post

How best should I approach this? Demand from my boss that I should be able to work from home and point to the fact that everyone else does, put up and shut up or speak to my agency? I feel like I'm being singled out which doesn't seem right.

You have the wrong attitude. You need to go into each gig presuming you cannot work from home unless told otherwise.

Then when you find people are allowed to work from home for the client you need to find out from each of them why they are allowed to. (For this you need to have some people skills, which I have found to my cost networking with business owners and senior executes lots of technical people particularly younger male ones do not have.)

Then if you are in the same situation ask the client, then when you are allowed to you need to produce twice as much working from home and when you get back into the office (preferably before) you need to have ensured that the vocal senior members of the team, whom you should have a decent professional relationship with, plus that manager knows.

**SlipTheJab** · 16 February 2016, 08:13

Stfu mtfu hth bidi.

**SlipTheJab** · 16 February 2016, 08:18

Place I'm at a couple of the contractors do 1 day WFH, they have been there a while, I have been there 5 minutes and have no problem being in the office full time.

Client wants me on site at all times. .....can I refuse?