Should you do long hours just because the company's employees do long hours?

[ChrisHadfield]

Hi,

Recently I have seen some varying work cultures through consulting.

With a previous client in the countryside the work was quite flexible as long as you did your 37.5hrs a week. I know this doesn't apply as a contractor.

In the current project the client is Spanish, the team I work with usually start at 9am and work until 7.30pm. Lunch is usually at 2-3pm.

The company is based in the UK and the UK workers tend to leave by around 5.30pm but it's a interesting mix.

So should you do long hours just because the company's immediate employees do long hours? Or stick to your standard schedule as a contractor?

An issue also is they have no idea how to manage tasks and time it takes to complete it.

These people who do these long hours also live closer to the office i.e. 5mins from the hotel, or 20min bus ride away whereas as a contractor you might have 45-90min commute every day.

Thoughts?

[northernladuk]

What does your contract say?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Contract first, but as a rule I work the hours I need to deliver a professional day and value to my client, I control my hours but ensure I’m around when the client needs me. If client is happy with the quality and quantity of work being delivered the hours shouldn’t matter.

[BlackCountryContractor]

Hi,

Recently I have seen some varying work cultures through consulting.

With a previous client in the countryside the work was quite flexible as long as you did your 37.5hrs a week. I know this doesn't apply as a contractor.

In the current project the client is Spanish, the team I work with usually start at 9am and work until 7.30pm. Lunch is usually at 2-3pm.

The company is based in the UK and the UK workers tend to leave by around 5.30pm but it's a interesting mix.

So should you do long hours just because the company's immediate employees do long hours? Or stick to your standard schedule as a contractor?

An issue also is they have no idea how to manage tasks and time it takes to complete it.

These people who do these long hours also live closer to the office i.e. 5mins from the hotel, or 20min bus ride away whereas as a contractor you might have 45-90min commute every day.

Thoughts?

If you are self-employed the first question is why mimic permies? You are there to deliver a project or set piece of work so what hours you put in is your own choice depending what you have signed in the contract.

[northernladuk]

With a previous client in the countryside the work was quite flexible as long as you did your 37.5hrs a week. I know this doesn't apply as a contractor.

It doesn't? Nearly every gig I've been on has been happy with this.

So should you do long hours just because the company's immediate employees do long hours? Or stick to your standard schedule as a contractor?

You can be professionally polite and mirror the clients time so you are available when they are. If you waltz in an hour later and leave an hour later you are going to be less available, not to mention rather conspicuous but it shouldn't matter as long as you deliver. The problem comes when you do that and there is a question about your work. Then you are a bit screwed tbh.

If you are the type that likes to get the job done and doesn't clock watch then put whatever hours you feel comfortable with as long as they aren't taking the piss. I rarely do the minimum but that's how I like to work. I know a few whowill probably post soon saying don't do a minute over because the client is taking the piss etc etc.

It's down to you what you are willing to put in but bear in mind you have contract stating what you are delivering. Even if it says Professional Working Day, that should indicate flexibility, not open season force you to work longer hours.

If they do then you've just got to decide whether to stay or go.

You don't judge your time by what the employees do. You can consider it and take it in to account when deciding what you will do though.

Really down to you at the end of the day.

[Lance]

Think ‘professional working day’. If you finish early because nothing more can be achieved then leave. If you leave bang on time every day, leaving someone else to pick the pieces that’s not good.

Have some common sense FFS.
They at least expect common sense and professionalism.

[WTFH]

Innereting

[oilboil]

Think ‘professional working day’. If you finish early because nothing more can be achieved then leave. If you leave bang on time every day, leaving someone else to pick the pieces that’s not good.

Have some common sense FFS.
They at least expect common sense and professionalism.

Lance gives a decent answer here; clock-watching and presentee-ism are not good traits in an employee and even worse traits in a professional services provider (aka contractor). They are paying you to do a job not occupy a seat.

Now I understand that sometimes part of the job is the "veneer you show" by being there a sensible amount of time to not really hack off the people sat around you (but as others say if you are doing your stuff and doing better than anyone else working exactly to contract will never be an issue)

The other way round this is not to work on professional day rate gigs; I only contract on hourly rate basis now (I find most challenge it, at first, but when I walk away not willing to accept the day rate only the majority accept it) Now it becomes an easier discussion - do you want me to spend 2 more hours (which I will charge you) at the job today just because it makes Annoying Andy and Peeved Pamela happier??? If so I'm happy to provide the service you are requiring - if not then I'm out of here and I'll see you tomorrow

[northernladuk]

Innereting

So much fail

[WTFH]

So much fail

I don’t think I’ll ever win a Spelling Bee.