Overtime rate, Nothing in contract

[TheFaQQer]

Next time you get a plumber in, try asking him to work an extra day for free. I run a business not a charity, the client wouldn't like it if I said "I'm just going to work 30 hours this week, that OK?".

If they don't like it then they can hire some mug who is willing to work for free, like yourself.

If you want to work by the hour, negotiate an hourly rate. If you want to work by the day, negotiate a daily rate.

The upside of a daily rate is that you don't always have to do a full 8 hour "shift". The downside is that you might need to work longer than your shift every so often.

If someone suggested to me that they work an 8 hour day and charge me 6 days a week for it, they wouldn't last too long.

[russell]

If you want to work by the hour, negotiate an hourly rate. If you want to work by the day, negotiate a daily rate.

The upside of a daily rate is that you don't always have to do a full 8 hour "shift". The downside is that you might need to work longer than your shift every so often.

If someone suggested to me that they work an 8 hour day and charge me 6 days a week for it, they wouldn't last too long.

Please read the thread before attempting a reply. They are asking me to work extra hours every day till the end of the contract. Now I know some of you are so insecure in your skills and have such a poverty of confidence that you are always fearful of the bench, and that you will do anything to make your client happy, but I am not. My company offers 7.5 hours a day, if you want more you have to pay.

I wouldn't work for your company, sound like a call centre.

[SueEllen]

Please read the thread before attempting a reply. They are asking me to work extra hours every day till the end of the contract. Now I know some of you are so insecure in your skills and have such a poverty of confidence that you are always fearful of the bench, and that you will do anything to make your client happy, but I am not. My company offers 7.5 hours a day, if you want more you have to pay.

Then why is there this long thread if you already have your answer?

It's very simple ask the client to pay for the extra hours and if they refuse then you don't do them.

[SueEllen]

Next time you get a plumber in, try asking him to work an extra day for free. I run a business not a charity, the client wouldn't like it if I said "I'm just going to work 30 hours this week, that OK?".

If they don't like it then they can hire some mug who is willing to work for free, like yourself.

Bad analogy.

Plumbers get paid per job.*

So if you ask them to put in extra radiators and it takes them 2 days instead of half a day they quoted for, they still get the same pay.

*If you aren't paying them per job then you are a fool.

[russell]

Bad analogy.

Plumbers get paid per job.*

So if you ask them to put in extra radiators and it takes them 2 days instead of half a day they quoted for, they still get the same pay.

*If you aren't paying them per job then you are a fool.

Ok lets say a Lawyer who are paid by the hour. Ask them to do an hour a day for you for free, im sure they will be only too glad.

[jmo21]

You can make every analogy you like and either try to prove or disprove it.

It is up to each individual to weigh the risk and reward over doing extra hours.

Doing the odd few hours every now again is fine to help out, especially if I think it might help me bag a nice juicy extension.

Being asked to up your hours, full time for remainder of the contract is just pushing it.

Then are effectively asking you to reduce your rate.

So same idea as 10% rate cuts really, it's up to you to decide what to do.

[russell]

You can make every analogy you like and either try to prove or disprove it.

It is up to each individual to weigh the risk and reward over doing extra hours.

Doing the odd few hours every now again is fine to help out, especially if I think it might help me bag a nice juicy extension.

Being asked to up your hours, full time for remainder of the contract is just pushing it.

Then are effectively asking you to reduce your rate.

So same idea as 10% rate cuts really, it's up to you to decide what to do.

+rep for you!

[SueEllen]

Ok lets say a Lawyer who are paid by the hour. Ask them to do an hour a day for you for free, im sure they will be only too glad.

I would never ask because I don't expect people who need to make a living to do things for free.

Doesn't mean I've never get free work out of tradespeople and professionals. People do things for free for their own reasons.

Anyway as you don't want a contract extension you can just tell them unfortunately you can't do the extra hour if they don't pay for it.

[psychocandy]

Next time you get a plumber in, try asking him to work an extra day for free. I run a business not a charity, the client wouldn't like it if I said "I'm just going to work 30 hours this week, that OK?".

If they don't like it then they can hire some mug who is willing to work for free, like yourself.

I can see your point a little. So client has asked you to do an extra hour a day then or is it more?

Maybe a bit different if they're asking you rather than you doing it as part of the professional day admittedly. Still think you're being a bit pedantic if it means an 8 hour day rather than a 7 hour day.

How long we talking for as well? If its only a short term then I wouldnt worry - if its long term then maybe ask client for a bit of flex on their part too as a show of good faith.

To be fair, I agree with FAQer a bit. If contract says professional day and it doesnt state number of hours I dont think you've got a leg to stand on if its just a little extra. After all, who dictates that its 7 hours or whatever? If its 9-10 hours a day then I'd kick off too.

The plumber/lawyer thing is bogus too. Like I said, not a fan of day rates (too open to abuse) but thats the way it is. Thats the way the market works these days - for lawyers/plumbers they dont.

If every single contractor in the world refused to sign up for day rates and insisted on hourly then maybe it would change. 10-15 years ago all my contracts were hourly rates. But they aint going to. You might be right about not working for free but at the moment its not going to work in your favour.

If you dont like it, then try to negotiate an hourly rate - not having a go here buts its your business after all.

Cant help thinking though that the client isn't going to react well to these extra days. Good luck if you can get it through but I'd be surprised if they've got the extra money in their budget....

[russell]

I can see your point a little. So client has asked you to do an extra hour a day then or is it more?

Maybe a bit different if they're asking you rather than you doing it as part of the professional day admittedly. Still think you're being a bit pedantic if it means an 8 hour day rather than a 7 hour day.

How long we talking for as well? If its only a short term then I wouldnt worry - if its long term then maybe ask client for a bit of flex on their part too as a show of good faith.

To be fair, I agree with FAQer a bit. If contract says professional day and it doesnt state number of hours I dont think you've got a leg to stand on if its just a little extra. After all, who dictates that its 7 hours or whatever? If its 9-10 hours a day then I'd kick off too.

The plumber/lawyer thing is bogus too. Like I said, not a fan of day rates (too open to abuse) but thats the way it is. Thats the way the market works these days - for lawyers/plumbers they dont.

If every single contractor in the world refused to sign up for day rates and insisted on hourly then maybe it would change. 10-15 years ago all my contracts were hourly rates. But they aint going to. You might be right about not working for free but at the moment its not going to work in your favour.

If you dont like it, then try to negotiate an hourly rate - not having a go here buts its your business after all.

Cant help thinking though that the client isn't going to react well to these extra days. Good luck if you can get it through but I'd be surprised if they've got the extra money in their budget....

I can tell they way you write you are a bedwetter, "client isn't going to react well", none of that is my problem. I work 7.5 hours a day any more than that I will be paid for. Simple as that.

Oh and I might be more flexible if the client allowed me to work from home, like it does most of the permies and some of the contractors, they said no, now they expect me to bend over backwards???