Professional day - How many hours?

[LondonManc]

If only it were that simple.....

If there were a direct correlation then fair enough but often there is not. Yes its a balance of course but you've got to draw the line somewhere.....

Personally, if I did a few 60 hour weeks then I would probably expect a few TOIL days off the client for this.

Another extension on offer as payment? At some point, surely you'd be thinking hang on do I really want to be doing this 60 hour a week thing for free too often?

There are certainly some clients out there IMHO that will hold on to the contractors who they can screw the most out of for free. Depends if you want/your personal situation allows.

Personally, and I know others are the same for various reasons, its impossible for me to throw in tons of extra hours for free all the time. Others may not have a problem - I'll let them do these sort of gigs.

As usual, you've missed the point on value add.

If you can demonstrate that you're adding more value than the next guy, then it's a factor in their discussions of who gets the next project - you, them or a new guy. I suspect you don't find correlation because you rarely test the theory.

[MrMarkyMark]

If only it were that simple.....

LMs statement was simple he stated putting extra effort at implementation time.

I guess if you are an IR35 caught BOS contractor you may not understand what this means

[LondonManc]

Absolutely. I've outlasted other contractors in the same team twice now so a bit of extra effort here and there has quite literally paid dividends.

Each case is different though and I agree in some cases doing too many hours helps no one.

Correct. 50 hours a week every week becomes the expected norm - it sets a bad precedent because firstly you're then looked at with scorn for doing the 40 hours you actually signed up for and secondly you'll have less in the tank when it comes to a big push for a couple of weeks to get a project over the line.

[psychocandy]

Absolutely. I've outlasted other contractors in the same team twice now so a bit of extra effort here and there has quite literally paid dividends.

Each case is different though and I agree in some cases doing too many hours helps no one.

I agree theres always mileage in making a bit of an extra effort. BUT like you seem to agree, there is a too much limit.

Its human nature I think. Manager gets contractor in as an expensive resource. If manager can talk guy into working long hours then manager looks good because hes getting his money worth....

[psychocandy]

As usual, you've missed the point on value add.

If you can demonstrate that you're adding more value than the next guy, then it's a factor in their discussions of who gets the next project - you, them or a new guy. I suspect you don't find correlation because you rarely test the theory.

Lets not wave our willies here LM about whos been doing this longest, whos the best contractor etc.

I never disagreed that it may help but my experience shows that it doesn't help as much as it should.

Clients don't sit down and say x worked extra he can stay because thats fair. If y is cheaper and the client can save a few quid then Y is more likely.

And there are many people out there who've worked they're nuts off only to be told by client - cheers butty thanks for that but sorry we're out of money now. No client ever kept a contractor on just because it seemed fair after the hard work they did.

[psychocandy]

LMs statement was simple he stated putting extra effort at implementation time.

I guess if you are an IR35 caught BOS contractor you may not understand what this means

Here we go again. If it makes you feel important MM who am I to deny you a bit of fun

[psychocandy]

Correct. 50 hours a week every week becomes the expected norm - it sets a bad precedent because firstly you're then looked at with scorn for doing the 40 hours you actually signed up for and secondly you'll have less in the tank when it comes to a big push for a couple of weeks to get a project over the line.

Ah. We're doing the "agree with NLUK", "disagree with PC" thing whatever they say.

[GillsMan]

PC - you need to learn the Reply with Quote function on this forum.

[northernladuk]

Ah. We're doing the "agree with NLUK", "disagree with PC" thing whatever they say.

Something to do with one of them constantly posts permietractor brain farts?

[MrMarkyMark]

Here we go again. If it makes you feel important MM who am I to deny you a bit of fun

Very little fun involved really, was just suggesting you actually read the post before responding.
As I said before, your contracting experiences are not the norm, whether this is down to you, or pure bad luck I'm unsure