Professional day - How many hours?

[Sockpuppet]

I currently average about 10 hours a day.

Did a week of 12+ hours days a month or so ago. I don't see this as "unpaid overtime". I quoted a rate to do the work and that's what I am doing.

I don't feel the need to work the hours becuase I have to - I do it becuase I want to (actually enjoy this gig). Then again I'm left to get on with it and report back once or twice a week.

[rephlex]

my current contract is a daily rate, with the "day" being 7.5 hours.

however , on quite a few occassions i've skipped lunch and worked straight through. should i be claiming that working lunch as overtime?

[downsouth]

I simply work the 8 hours for the professional working day, in at 9, out at 5, skip the 'official lunch hour'. I dont get paid for one so why should i take one, afterall its my company I am working for

[ratewhore]

try to get expected hours per week (eg 37, 40 etc) stated in contract.

Each to their own but I wouldn't do that. My current gig stipulates 5 PWD's but that's it. It doesn't define what a PWD is. Suits me and, like others have said, I'll take as long as I takes to get things done to hit deadlines. Funnily enough, this very rarely falls over 7.5 hours. Importantly, it gives me plenty of flexibility to differentiate myself from the permies.

If I had to define it, a PWD is anything over 4 hours...

[rephlex]

just wondering - how is lunch hour treated in other contracts?

is it normally unpaid?

assuming a 7.5 hour "day" , if you work through your lunch then its a 9 to 4.30 day.

is that normal practise with other contractors - or do you try to fit around what the site normally clocks off at , and just turn a blind eye to the extra "working through lunch" hour?

[SueEllen]

just wondering - how is lunch hour treated in other contracts?

is it normally unpaid?

assuming a 7.5 hour "day" , if you work through your lunch then its a 9 to 4.30 day.

is that normal practise with other contractors - or do you try to fit around what the site normally clocks off at , and just turn a blind eye to the extra "working through lunch" hour?

I take lunch cos I think better with breaks. My lunch is as long as I want it.

I don't care what other people do.

[rephlex]

My working day is 8hrs, sometimes less. When working on daily rate, try to get expected hours per week (eg 37, 40 etc) stated in contract. Then you can work longer hours mid week and take Friday afternoon off etc. Be wary about being sucked into doing unpaid overtime.

Don't worry about what permies do, or other contractors doing 'charity work'. At current gig due to run up to go live, permies are working all hours and weekends for 'pizza pay'. Client asked me to do the same and I politely informed them that overtime will be charged. The realisation that they are paying for this extra time helps to limit the amount I'm expected to do. Anyways, it will pay for next years hols

yeah - i've 37.5 hours per week stated. but the rate is a "daily rate".

i'm in an odd situation - when i stick to normal office hours , 9-1 , 1 hour lunch and then 2 to 5.30 (i have 7.5 hour day) , i get grief for taking a 1 hour lunch break.

so next day when i just worked through my lunch, worked until 5.30 and then claimed the work through lunch as 1 hour overtime, i still got grief.

i would hazard a guess that if i worked straight through from 9am to 4.30 , with no lunch (7.5 hours) and no claim of overtime , i would still get grief - as i would be leaving "too early"..

maybe the client is just taking the piss. maybe i should have a 2nd opinion from my agent.

[lambrini_socialist]

[snip]i get grief for taking a 1 hour lunch break.

[snip] i still got grief

[snip] i would still get grief

maybe the client is just taking the piss.

sounds like you're working with a-holes, set 'em straight or walk i say!

[NotAllThere]

Who is giving you grief and what is the nature of the grief?

I work on the basis that if the client is unhappy about me working according to the contract then they're entirely free to terminate.

Peer-pressure, conformity, working for free, is for permies. You don't like my work? Get rid of me then.

[ratewhore]

Peer-pressure, conformity, working for free, is for permies. You don't like my work? Get rid of me then.

Amen to that!!