Taking multiple contracts

[NotAllThere]

If you are delivering to a T&M contract and invoicing against a time card, then you are literally billing for hours spent

Well, no you're not. Time spent going to the bog, getting a coffee, having a chat with colleagues about how the war is going etc. - that's all time not spent on what you're being paid for.

"hours spent" is a nebulous concept. In practice it's defined as (e.g.) 7.5 hours worth of work. I.e. the work that's expected to be done in 7.5 hours. If you do it in 4 - then good for you. I've known some companies where the purchasing department mandated a maximum price. To get the people they wanted, managers paid for 8 hour days, but the contractors worked only 4.

I find it amusing how precious some people get, spouting on about fraud. Who, exactly, is being defrauded? Who will contact plod to investigate?

[jamesbrown]

We are supplying services, not hours at a desk. You need to get that into your head it seems.

If you are delivering to a T&M contract and invoicing against a time card, then you are literally billing for hours spent and falsifying those documents is literally fraud. If you’re actually spending the hours invoiced or billing fixed price, fine, but it’s pretty clear that there are more chancers than not.

[malvolio]

I would hazard a guess you aren't giving 100% and a full 7.5 hours per day to each client which I am sorry but is wrong

It rather depends, doesn't it. If Lance is delivering what the clients need when they need it to the quality they require, what on earth has time spent got to do with it?

We are supplying services, not hours at a desk. You need to get that into your head it seems.

[WTFH]

Hi I also do 2 contracts ...im now looking for a 3rd...

The purpose of life is not to work...
At least not in my case.

I'd also not leave clients off my CV, particularly if you're in a sector where clients, employees and contractors tend to know each other.

[2contracts]

I have been thinking about taking on two contracts myself...

How would you record them on your CV though? If you have two clients at the same time then any future client will see you have juggled two in the past? or do you just leave one off?

Leave 1 off ...thats what I do

[2contracts]

now that is stupid to suggest that. At least NLUK had some valuable suggestions.

I have been doing double/triple bubble for 2 years solid now. It's not for everyone. But £250k turnover builds a decent warchest. And seeing as I've been nowhere for 12 months it's worked out very well.

Hi I also do 2 contracts both WFH or as I say working from gym or where I like.....not for everyone....if you can work smart then it will work ...im now looking for a 3rd...

[edison]

That's fine and almost expected if you are paid by delivery. However, isn't that going to raise a few eyebrows if someone is going for a contract where they expect your undivided attention?

If you've got two or more contracts then it's not possible to give your undivided attention. I do two days a week for client A and up to 3 days a week for client B. I've agreed with both that I'm able to flex that a bit depending on how things may change with the other party.

[SussexSeagull]

Exactly this - I've got two contracts at the moment and have been quite transparent with both parties about my commitments.

That's fine and almost expected if you are paid by delivery. However, isn't that going to raise a few eyebrows if someone is going for a contract where they expect your undivided attention?

[edison]

eh??
You're a business. You can have more than one client.
Or you're a permietractor.

In the same way that if you can't tell both clients about each other then you shouldn't doing it.... If you can't put both on your CV then you definitely shouldn't be doing it.

Exactly this - I've got two contracts at the moment and have been quite transparent with both parties about my commitments.

[Lance]

I have been thinking about taking on two contracts myself...

How would you record them on your CV though? If you have two clients at the same time then any future client will see you have juggled two in the past? or do you just leave one off?

eh??
You're a business. You can have more than one client.
Or you're a permietractor.

In the same way that if you can't tell both clients about each other then you shouldn't doing it.... If you can't put both on your CV then you definitely shouldn't be doing it.