Time off mid contract...

[kirk]

I'm on a 12 month gig; took a week out a few months ago to go to Dubai, got next week off to go to Ibiza. As long as you let client \ project manager know and there aren't any deadlines that will be missed I'm sure they'll be ok with it. Saves them an weeks invoice cost as well!

[Bluebird]

Hi,

I'm just about to start my second contract on monday, its 6 months, and im all signed up. Now the problem is I have just been asked to be the best man at a mates wedding in early november abroad. What are my chances do you think of getting a week or so off mid contract, as I said this is my second contract so I'm not exactly sure what the protocol is with taking time off during a contract.

Any advice would be appreciated,

Thanks,

Toasta

as you are OUTSIDE IR35 the client cannot dictate direction & control and you can come and go as you please, and of course if the cleints requests as per your IR35 clause you can supply a suitable substitute to cover the period of your absense.

[Zorba]

I usually book mine or at least earmark the weeks before signing any contract or extension - that way there isn't a choice really.

Oh, and make sure you don't fill the time off in on any 'holiday' sheet for the client...

[Old Greg]

as you are OUTSIDE IR35 the client cannot dictate direction & control and you can come and go as you please, and of course if the cleints requests as per your IR35 clause you can supply a suitable substitute to cover the period of your absense.

Out of interest, has anyone ever successfully exercised their right of substitution?

[Bluebird]

Out of interest, has anyone ever successfully exercised their right of substitution?

yes, a mate of mine filled in for a couple of weeks for me last year.

it wasn't a big deal, he was basically "on-call" if anything went really bad.

[Old Greg]

yes, a mate of mine filled in for a couple of weeks for me last year.

it wasn't a big deal, he was basically "on-call" if anything went really bad.

Fair enough. My RoS specifies a suitably qualified and experienced person. The only way you can be suitably experienced is to have been in the project for 3+ months, so in effect, there will never be a suitable substitute. Is that a genuine RoS? I'm sure plenty of people are in the same situation...

[Toasta]

Thanks for the replies guys, you have put any fears I had to rest, i'm going to phone the client tomorrow and let them know the score, then book my flights!

[Bluebird]

Fair enough. My RoS specifies a suitably qualified and experienced person. The only way you can be suitably experienced is to have been in the project for 3+ months, so in effect, there will never be a suitable substitute. Is that a genuine RoS? I'm sure plenty of people are in the same situation...

depends what your discipline is and what handover procedure you have docuemnted and in place.

mine was - if they ring sort it, if you can't sort it - ring me.