How does time work on hourly rate?

[TheFaQQer]

We noticed. Group hug.

Edit : Actually, bit cheeky of me to say "we" when I only have 88 posts, but I'm sure you get my drift.

Post count is no indication of being a useful member of the board

[Mallam]

If you're expecting to be paid for the two weeks you're on holiday, the answer is no. The project (i.e. contract) duration is 6 months. You bill for actual hours worked.

Thanks Platypus, that is more like the information I was hoping to get. So does it work like

Contract is for 6 months = 26 Weeks = 130 Days or 1040Hrs. (At 8 hrs per day)
I want 2 weeks holiday

Therefore contract still ends in 130 days time, however I guess I have 2 options

1. Work 120 Days at 8 hours a day (only get paid for 960 hours) or
2. Work 120 Days at ~8.66 hours a day (get paid for 1040 hours)

Am I thinking straight with regard to this

thanks

Mike

[Dow Jones]

1st prize

Most stupid question asked - beats a few I have seen so far

[gingerjedi]

My last client had budgeted for 20 weeks so when I had a three week holiday in the middle I was pleasantly surprised when they extended my contract by the 3 weeks plus a couple of days that I had off sick, not sure is this is normal though?

[SueEllen]

My last client had budgeted for 20 weeks so when I had a three week holiday in the middle I was pleasantly surprised when they extended my contract by the 3 weeks plus a couple of days that I had off sick, not sure is this is normal though?

Stop the spoon feeding.

[Crossroads]

You're not thinking straight.

1. Your client wants you there for 8 hours a day, not 8.66.
2. What does your contract state about time off?

Also, are they really going to pay your lunch hour, or are you working 8 - 5?

[thunderlizard]

Are you a troll? I can't believe someone really needs this explaining...?

That's not such a stupid question. It might sound like a stupid question if you've allowed the bum-on-seat agencies to brainwash you into accepting that their standard way of charging is the only one. But for somebody just setting out and ploughing their own furrow, thinking "I'll be putting in 5.5 months' worth of hours so maybe I should have a contract to provide 5.5 months' worth of hours" isn't so unbelievable is it?

I think it's a perfectly fair question, and one to which I would answer "you're the supplier; you set the terms; you decided which one it is, but make sure the client understands".

But usually, Platypus's answer is what happens. The 6 month contract is usually a framework agreement setting out the terms under which work is done, for that duration. You might average 20 hours per week within that framework; you might average 60; but the agreement expires after 6 months regardless of how many hours have been worked & charged.

[BrowneIssue]

I am considering an hourly rate contract for 6 months. Can someone please advise how this works.

Option 1. You do what the contract says and they give you money. You like this and repeat it until your ex-wife owns a pension, a nice car and a big house.

Option 2. You whinge about the contract terms, don't do what it says, put yourself in breach of contract, get sacked, give the rest of us a bad name and then go back to being permie.

i.e. Can you bill 8 hours a day and contract ends after 6 months.

You work the hours the contract states and then bill for those hours you worked. The contract ends when the contract says it ends.

I want a 2 week holiday in the middle, does that mean that contract will be for 5.5 months?

Holiday? Contractor? You're losing me here. You have a 6 month contract and you intend to work only 24 of those weeks? Suit yourself. Two weeks' money lost, that is.

I just assumed that most contracts would be for the period of a project.

Fancy a 5,000 word essay on IT project management and project end dates? No? The contract duration is arbitrary and usually determined by HR policy.

[BrowneIssue]

Wow, though I expected some possible flack, the vitriol that has been posted is very impressive.

flak

remarkably restrained, compared to usual

I hope to one day be as bitter as the majority of posts above and be able to join your lofty ranks

Suggestion: don't ask for advice and then whinge. That's permie behaviour.

[BrowneIssue]

So does it work like

Contract is for 6 months = 26 Weeks = 130 Days or 1040Hrs. (At 8 hrs per day)
I want 2 weeks holiday

Therefore contract still ends in 130 days time

Am I thinking straight with regard to this

Completely wrong. The contract will say:

"For six months starting 1st April to 31st August".

If you take two weeks off in the middle, it will end 31st August.

If you have to work weekends in the middle, it will end 31st August.

If you have to do 12 hours a day, it will end 31st August.

If you do short days, it will end 31st August.