Holiday request

[danwins224]

Hi all, whats the best way to handle this situation?

I started contracting last October and dropped in to a nice job, good hours, good money and good staff. Unfortunately it was only a going to be a temporary contract for 6-8 weeks. However, work load has increased and they have asked me to stay for at least another 6 months.
The problem I have is I booked a family holiday last year for the end of July, I didn't tell the company as I wasn't planning on still being there, but because of this recent change I put in a holiday request but they have refused it due to another team member booking the same dates.
I don't want to risk losing this contract by saying I'm taking it anyway but I cant cancel/change the holiday.
Any suggestions on how I should handle it?

Dan

[cojak]

You are describing a permie in a permie job. We aren’t PermieUK. Go on the holiday anyway. If they fire you*, so what? You’re a contractor, you’ll find another contract.

This is what being a contractor is all about.

*I’ll bet they won’t.

[Martin Bank Holiday]

Hi all, whats the best way to handle this situation?

I started contracting last October and dropped in to a nice job, good hours, good money and good staff. Unfortunately it was only a going to be a temporary contract for 6-8 weeks. However, work load has increased and they have asked me to stay for at least another 6 months.
The problem I have is I booked a family holiday last year for the end of July, I didn't tell the company as I wasn't planning on still being there, but because of this recent change I put in a holiday request but they have refused it due to another team member booking the same dates.
I don't want to risk losing this contract by saying I'm taking it anyway but I cant cancel/change the holiday.
Any suggestions on how I should handle it?

Dan

Uh oh....IR35

[cojak]

I would say a shiny new contractor still thinking like a Permie.

[NotAllThere]

All contracts are temporary. That's what contracting is about. As soon as they asked you to extend, you should have said have said that you were unavailable at the end of July - just as you would if the initial contract had been for a year. Your choices are

1. Tell them you're unavailable at the end of July. Most clients will accept a holiday you've already booked.
2. Cancel the holiday. You won't lose money, since those days when you're now working, you'll be being paid - that should more than make up for it. You don't get paid when you're on holiday.
3. Tell the client that you've already booked the holiday, but if they pay the cancellation costs, then you'll be glad to work that period.

[danwins224]

I would say a shiny new contractor still thinking like a Permie.

30+ years a as a "permi" 3 months as a contractor, sorry for not knowing everything about it, but thanks for the constructive advice

NotAllThere: Cheers for that, will try option 1&3 if all else fails will look for another contract

[cojak]

30+ years a as a "permi" 3 months as a contractor, sorry for not knowing everything about it, but thanks for the constructive advice

NotAllThere: Cheers for that, will try option 1&3 if all else fails will look for another contract

My pleasure!

(I’m a tough love kinda gal.)

[BlasterBates]

Make it a condition for the renewal that they agree or pay a higher rate.

If they refuse then make a decision based on what you would earn taking into account the loss on the holiday, i.e. effectively you lose a half a month's pay but could you get a contract within two weeks?

Treat it purely as a business decision, don't be emotional. If you rebook the holiday it's because that is the decision that maximises your income under the circumstances.

...and in the future perhaps look at paying a bit more for a holiday that can be rebooked.

[vwdan]

Tell, don't ask, has always been my motto.

I have to say, booking holidays outside of contract and telling them at or after renewal has always been my default methodology. I don't get into cancelling or rearranging - if I get a 3 month contract, I take that at face value.

It's a bit different booking within the contract, of course. You need to be a little more delicate there.

[pictavia]

Contractors need to take time off for many reasons e.g. sickness, family emergency, jury service etc. Be assertive and tell the client you will be taking the time off, no reason required but do offer to send a substitute.