Time Keeping

[malvolio]

Exactly, is that not what the OP is saying, a few disgruntled permies have got the hump cos the contractor is more flexible and their telling him to fall in line with the permie workforce.

"Oh well", said Cutie, "We won't argue".



(Actually if you can track down the original Asimov story that quote comes from, you might find it's strangely relevant to this discussion. How do you define reality?)

[d000hg]

This is clearly a case of playing the game - even big businesses have to keep their clients on side, taking people out for lunches and so on even though it's nothing to do with the contract.

Envious, small-minded people are something you have to deal with.

[russell]

I would say screw the sad permie idiots. As long as you work the hours and are available for meetings etc then they have nothing to complain about. if you start falling in line with the permies then its the thin end of the wedge. What if they start complaining that you get paid more than them, or don't have to do annual reviews etc.

[malvolio]

I would say screw the sad permie idiots. As long as you work the hours and are available for meetings etc then they have nothing to complain about. if you start falling in line with the permies then its the thin end of the wedge. What if they start complaining that you get paid more than them, or don't have to do annual reviews etc.

It's always wise, when in a hole, to stop digging.

I's your business, you do it the way you feel best. Just don't be surprised when you don't get your next renewal.

And has it occurred to you that you're only there because you are actually cheaper than those "sad permie idiots" rather than becuase you're some kind of superhero?

Don't bother answering that one, BTW.

[russell]

It's always wise, when in a hole, to stop digging.

I's your business, you do it the way you feel best. Just don't be surprised when you don't get your next renewal.

And has it occurred to you that you're only there because you are actually cheaper than those "sad permie idiots" rather than becuase you're some kind of superhero?

Don't bother answering that one, BTW.

Feel free to bend over backwards to the clients every whim, I act professionally and view the client as a customer not some employer I am desperately trying to cling to. The contract I sign with them determines how I work, they hired me because I can hit the ground running, have proven experience in the skills they require. I would rather be on the bench for a few weeks than lose my dignity and professional integrity. It's worked for me so far, I suppose I could still be in a few hell holes I hated with renewals if I bent over like you suggest, but inevitably a better client was round the corner and I never regretted it.

[TheFaQQer]

The original post implies that matei is delivering more (in terms of time, at least) than the contract specifies

I'd been getting in well prior to 09:00 and leaving at 15 or 10 to 5:00, so that I stand a fighting chance of getting home to see my family. I also forgo an hour lunch, usually take 30 min. at my desk.

The current agency's contract states however that hours are 8:30 - 17:00.

If the client wants you to cut back slightly on the work you do, then I wouldn't really describe that as bending over for the client to get shafted.

[psychocandy]

Age old question - Do you give in for a few things to keep the client happy?

Personally, I'd say, yes, its good business sense. If you end up winding the client up for something small, then surely its going to affect renewal status. Yeh, you might be right but then why be right and on the bench when renewals happen?

Not saying there isnt a line but I think sticking your head up every time theres something small is a little bit of a bad idea....

Although, with OP, same old story, no-one notices how much work you do, what time you come in, dont have lunch etc, but EVERYONE notices if you leave a few mins early!!!!

[russell]

Age old question - Do you give in for a few things to keep the client happy?

Personally, I'd say, yes, its good business sense. If you end up winding the client up for something small, then surely its going to affect renewal status. Yeh, you might be right but then why be right and on the bench when renewals happen?

Not saying there isnt a line but I think sticking your head up every time theres something small is a little bit of a bad idea....

Although, with OP, same old story, no-one notices how much work you do, what time you come in, dont have lunch etc, but EVERYONE notices if you leave a few mins early!!!!

The more you give the more they expect, nip it in the bud early. This is the reason rates are so low, people scared of the bench and keep taking cuts or being screwed by agents. There is always another client round the corner, don't let fear rule your life.

[NotAllThere]

If you arrive at 7:30, work 7.5 hours and have 0.5 hour lunch break, leaving at 15:30, you'll be labelled a workshy git.

If you arrive at 10:30, work 7.5 hours and have a 0.5 hour lunch break, leaving at 18:30, you'll be considered a hero, always working late.

It seems that arriving late has less negative impact than leaving early.

[TheFaQQer]

If you arrive at 7:30, work 7.5 hours and have 0.5 hour lunch break, leaving at 15:30, you'll be labelled a workshy git.

If you arrive at 10:30, work 7.5 hours and have a 0.5 hour lunch break, leaving at 18:30, you'll be considered a hero, always working late.

It seems that arriving late has less negative impact than leaving early.

My first boss explained it to me - not enough people see you arrive early, but everyone sees you leave early.