Time off in contract

[denver2k]

Hi,

I have been with my current client for 7 months (initial contract + 1 extension last month) and its finishing end of June. After that, I am planning to take time off and go abroad for a month.

I just had a chat with a guy who is involved in requirement analysis work(non-management) and he hinted me that new phase of my project has been initiated and implementation will kick off by June and i'll be involved in that 2-3 months work. Its not something which guarantees my extension but at least some hope.

They wont officially confirm anything until very last day (as they did last time), but I have to book my flights sooner(now) because July is ridiculously peak season for flights.

Im bit confused because If they offer me extension in end of June, shall i say that I accept it but i am taking 1 month holiday or shall i say that i am taking holidays and will start contract after my 1 month holiday.

Another thing is, if i book my tickets now, do i need to let them know even its for after my current contract expires. Is it possible that they'll not extend contract as i'll be going on holidays.

Thanks.

[kookachoo]

Take the extension, delay the holiday and use the extra cash to follow the sun to still go somewhere you'll get a Judith Chalmers tan - sorted!

I would say though that if they play their cards close to their chests, then so should you.

You have no contractual obligation to inform them of the holiday.

Do you have a moral obligation? Well that depends on how well you get on with the client. When my gig comes up for renewal, I will just say No, bye.... but that's on account of no one actually talking in the office every day.

[TykeMerc]

Im bit confused because If they offer me extension in end of June, shall i say that I accept it but i am taking 1 month holiday or shall i say that i am taking holidays and will start contract after my 1 month holiday.

Another thing is, if i book my tickets now, do i need to let them know even its for after my current contract expires. Is it possible that they'll not extend contract as i'll be going on holidays.

Thanks.

There is a destinct risk that they can't afford to wait for you to bog off for a month so they will replace you. Alternatively they might ask you to delay the holiday until a less critical point in the project.
It all depends how useful you are to them, how tricky you would be to replace (which is usually a lot easier said than done) and how cost effective you are. I'd give it roughly 50:50 on you being told thanks no extension and being asked to delay the jolies.

Personally I would make sure the PM or Programme Manager know that you're thinking about a long holiday in July and find out their reaction, it will help to guage the likely reaction.

[jmo21]

Holiday planning is certainly a downside to contracting.

find out the cost of flexible tickets?

[Turion]

What's the problem. Most tickets have the ability to change dates for a fee.

[expat]

Book the holiday. If you don't get an extension, take the holiday.

If they offer an extension, it will pay for postponing the holiday.

[denver2k]

Well, This intended time off is not just a typical holiday in Sun which i would definitely extend for few more months. Im going for some personal reasons and family reunion etc. As I also gota go to Dubai, Emirates is my preferred option and they said July - Aug is their peak season because of kids holidays so i should book sooner rather than later.

What's the problem. Most tickets have the ability to change dates for a fee.

Its bit complicated because i have stop over as well. Tickets are available at the moment on good price but Emirates will charge £110 penalty if i change dates after booking and pay the difference if that class is not available.

Now, if i (informally) give hint to line manager that im going away for couple of weeks after June, assuming 2 weeks wont bother them much. And later on i'll say its actually 4 weeks. Presumably, they might think waiting for 4 weeks would be better than hiring someone who'll definitely ask for more £££ and may take time to settle.

[denver2k]

Book the holiday. If you don't get an extension, take the holiday.

If they offer an extension, it will pay for postponing the holiday.

Makes sense to me....

However, I have seen couple of contractors at this clientCo taking holidays during contract. So, i think i can also do that if they offer extension.

[TykeMerc]

Presumably, they might think waiting for 4 weeks would be better than hiring someone who'll definitely ask for more £££ and may take time to settle.

That's a common issue to me as a PM, it's a juggling act that includes evaluation of how useful the person is and how long it would take to get a replacement up to speed as major factors.

Now, if i (informally) give hint to line manager that im going away for couple of weeks after June, assuming 2 weeks wont bother them much. And later on i'll say its actually 4 weeks.

That would annoy the hell out of me as a PM as it would chuck my resourcing plans right off. If that happened I would re-evaluate my decision with quite a negative slant. Read that how you like, but after dropping a bomb like that on me a contract resource would probably be looking at the bench rather than a renewal.

[jmo21]

Take the holiday, tell them you will come back after a month.

Either you can deal with them saying "no thanks" and not getting the extension, or you can't.