Leave / holidays while contracted

[curtis]

I prefer it during a contract as it means I haven't got to faff around finding a new contract on my return.

I'm of this way of thinking but i never worry or think about money lost by being away in a contract, I know a lot of people that do and it really gets to them and they hardly ever go away because of it.

I got into this game to be able to take more time off if I wanted, whether that ends up in a contract or not. Only a few places have turned me down due to my holiday but I still wouldn't change from booking them in advance. The thing is you could book a holiday when your contract is over but then last minute they offer you an extension or you get a call with someone wanting you for a great contract it could never be the right time to book a holiday.

[BillHicksRIP]

I haven't taken any time out in the last 2 years. I've lost enough through an enforced 3 week Xmas break by the client, Bank Holidays, The Jubilee. I've even let all my certifications slip as I wont lose a couple of day's rate to take the exams. I just think it's madness to turn up a day's rate when you don't know what's around the corner.

[Kelstar]

Guess it all depends on your personal life and own goals. I take time off when my partner is on leave, he is in the marines at it isn't flexible at all. If that happens to fall when I am in contract then hey ho, so be it. I give my client good notice, and make sure they are happy. I also balance out how I spend my money so a week or two off in contract isn't the end of the world.

Work life balance and all that, there is more to life than money (so long as you have enough to live)

[the_rangdo]

I just think it's madness to turn up a day's rate when you don't know what's around the corner.

But taking that holiday during bench-time could mean you miss that oh-so-important interview and new gig as you weren't available.

Works both ways.

My warchest can withstand a couple of weeks (well, 6 this year not inc. bank holidays but who's counting ) of no invoicing.

[SueEllen]

BillHicksRIP on his death bed:
"I wish I spent more time at my clients' invoicing".

[BolshieBastard]

But taking that holiday during bench-time could mean you miss that oh-so-important interview and new gig as you weren't available.

Works both ways.

My warchest can withstand a couple of weeks (well, 6 this year not inc. bank holidays but who's counting ) of no invoicing.

It might happen but you have a mobile, dont you? You might miss the odd opportunity if you got a call in the first week but ime, from phone call to arranging interview generally takes the best part of 7 to 10 days anyway.

[kingcook]

taking the maximum from my company every month was stupid, since I was leaving myself no safety net

You mean to say that you take the maximum you can each month and blow the lot, without saving anything?

[NotAllThere]

Nothing makes life worse than a wife ;-)

Presumably you know this because you have nothing.

I used to feel that any holiday I took lost income for my limited, and I would always pay myself as much as possible each month.

Come to the conclusion that I don't function nearly as effectively if I only have Bank Holidays plus a few extra days off, and that taking the maximum from my company every month was stupid, since I was leaving myself no safety net, while being vulnerable to swings in income should problems of any kind occur.

I now do a revenue forecast on 44 weeks of income to my limited, so 8 weeks without income, including statutory holidays. In addition, I pay myself as if my rate is 85% of what it actually is (based on the above 44-weeks) just in case I am ill, need to take extra time off, get unexpectedly benched, sudden decrease in rate etc etc.

This results in a smoothing of my personal income on a month-to-month basis, a decent amount of savings in my personal account, reasonable pension payments, a good amount of holiday and the ability to pay myself a "bonus" at the end of the financial year if the holiday allowance and/or safety net hasn't been used.

Not been benched in over four and a half years luckily (though been close to it, and yes, I have been at different clients on different projects), so have been able to do the above relatively easily.

All IMHO of course.

It's pretty much my approach. I have a financial target and a billable days target (200 per year = 40 weeks). If I make the financial target, then the days target comes into play. Once I've achieved that as well, I'll work more days if required by the client, but actively seek time off.

[the_rangdo]

It might happen but you have a mobile, dont you? You might miss the odd opportunity if you got a call in the first week but ime, from phone call to arranging interview generally takes the best part of 7 to 10 days anyway.

I do have a mobile, and on holiday I prefer it to not ring on business matters.

I don't let work dictate when I take holidays cos I don't live to work. The time I've got to spend with my family is far more important than explaining to my 8 year old "sorry we've had no holidays for the past 2+ years but the client keeps extending, you do understand don't you"

If a couple of weeks invoicing is critical to "whatever's around the corner" then I'm doing something wrong.

Works for me, YMMV

[arthur_cider]

If you can afford a holiday and the client (not agency) says you can take a holiday, take the holiday, sorted!