45 hour working week?

[GillsMan]

My PWD is anything over 4 hours. Half a PWD is 1-4 hours. I don't bill for less than an hour's worth of work in a day. But I don't like to be penalised for being quick, so I sort of weigh up how long something took me vs the value to a client when determining billing.

E.g. last week a wrote a business case. Bashed it out in about 3 hours, but billed a PWD. On the other hand, a couple of weeks ago I spent 7 hours working on a problem, but that was only because I kept cocking up the troubleshooting, and I'd also misunderstood the issue. I only billed half a PWD for that and was tempted not to bill anything at all. But as I'd fixed the problem (and it was, in the end, an easy fix and a minor issue) I was happy to bill half a PWD.

I'm lucky in that there is very little requirement for me to go to my client's offices with any regularity.

[ShandyDrinker]

QDOS is as good as they come. Their PI/PL comes with 3 free contract reviews a year although they are fairly basic.

A minor point but the last time I renewed QDOS insurances the 3 free contract reviews a year had reduced to a single contract review.

Happy to be told otherwise though...

[northernladuk]

A minor point but the last time I renewed QDOS insurances the 3 free contract reviews a year had reduced to a single contract review.

Happy to be told otherwise though...

By jove you are correct. PI/PL package comes with one free review but the lady on the chat told me you get unlimited basic reviews with the TLC35 option.

Good spot.

[Flibble]

Sod that. Permies made to take an hour for lunch too?

...

Sort of. From asking around it was the usual "sandwich at your desk" scenario.

Just to add another one, I also remembered a friend was offered a permie role at yet another company (other than the three I have mentioned) and fortunately I told him not to hand in his notice until he had a signed contract - same rules for contract or perm in my book! Lucky I did as when the T&Cs begrudgingly arrived it was an 0800-1800 day, with a half hour for lunch. Some companies do just seem to push it - that particular firm also appeared to offer 20% pension contributions (wowsers) until I noticed that what they actually offered was to match 20% of what you put in. E.g. you put in £100 a month, they would "generously" "add" £20. Bearing in mind how pensions and tax work ... cheeky. This was permie as well where you'd hope for anything from 5 to 10% of salary as a contribution (and the legal minimum is 1%))

[Hobosapien]

What's the client location, commute, and usual permie start/finish time like?

One of the advantages of interviewing at the client site is you can assess this stuff before signing the contract. Small talk on the way out (if not broached earlier) covers 'what time do people usually start/finish?' and 'how's the traffic around here in the morning/evening?'.

Usually it's those aspects that dictate how long your day will be as much as what the client may be expecting.

I've had contracts go both ways. Some where contracted hours were in excess of reality, as the contractors tend to stick to permie hours unless choose to come in early or leave later. Others where normal hours on contract but commute is a pain so go in early/leave later to avoid the worst of it.

If it's some place with a culture for long hours then that too can usually be identified at interview stage, so you should be able to be informed enough to know what you're committing to rather than whinging about it later.

[Danglekt]

It's not how I work, but then I write my own contracts Agreed hours/place etc are all set by me in my contract - but, if that isn't an option I'd just sign whatever is on the contract and start invoicing.

It makes very little difference in reality - as I think all they have done is made it clear they are paying you for the day, rather than for hours of work that excludes breaks.

[northernladuk]

It's not how I work, but then I write my own contracts Agreed hours/place etc are all set by me in my contract - but, if that isn't an option I'd just sign whatever is on the contract and start invoicing.

It makes very little difference in reality - as I think all they have done is made it clear they are paying you for the day, rather than for hours of work that excludes breaks.

Not sure what the point is here. And I'd say it does make a difference in reality. If you just sign the contract and find you've got 50 hours down there is an issue..

[Andy Hallett]

Why are you going direct and not via the agency? If they are a small company save them the trouble and present your own contract.

Based on what I've read, focus on payment terms.

[Danglekt]

Not sure what the point is here. And I'd say it does make a difference in reality. If you just sign the contract and find you've got 50 hours down there is an issue..

You have bolded two separate points. The first comment was a smug one

In regards to the 2nd point, unless he is going to walk, he may as well just sign and start invoicing, then he can either find out its not as bad as all that, or get a new gig.

8:30-5:30 or 9-6 aint gonna kill him while he looks for other work - and better to be invoicing than burning through the rainy day fund for the sake of an hour.

[Platypus]

On reading it, there is stipulation of a 45 hour work week.

Sounds like IBM