Leave / holidays while contracted

[kingcook]

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

[kaiser78]

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

+1 100%

[Underscore Pt2]

If i only took a holiday when benched I'd never have had a holiday for 9 years! I take a holiday whenever i feel like it.

[BolshieBastard]

Last week of holiday time starting today! Oh yes!

[Scoi]

I got boomed 6 weeks ago, 3 weeks before my contract was due to finish. So before signing i said i wasn't available for a week. Lack of invoice does hurt as it doubles the holiday cost.

Getting the balance right is important for me. At minimum a week in the Summer and a week at Christmas minimum.

Would definitely get away in week 1 of being benched. Tell agents email only and can arrange interviews for when you return as ClientCo's always have a week between invitation to interview and interview date.

I also politely tell the client about some unavailability on Fridays and Mondays, can still work the hours the rest of the week but get a 4 day break, enough time to be worth it with no lost income.

[psychocandy]

Cant believe the attitude of some people here but, hey, each to his own.

OK, contract of 3 months or less, probably not a good idea. Otherwise, stuff it, you're going to go mad if you end up having zero days off.

I probably take much less time off than when I was a permie and dont take the odd friday because I can. And dont think, sod it, I'll have day off before holiday like I used to. Now I'll work and Mrs will have to suck it up and do all the packing/running around.

But have no holidays. No way. My son is 8 yrs old - dont ruin your life by having a few extra quid in the bank but not see your kids grow up. You cant take it with you remember....

Also, whats this bollox about asking the client if they mind you having a holiday? **** that. Before I book, I might, out of courtesy, ask client if theres any HUGE reason why this will be a problem. If not, then I confirm that I will not be there (but they always forget).

If its already booked, then theres no way I will ever cancel. EVER EVER EVER. One client tried to talk me into it, holiday booked to florida etc, 3 days to go they started panicking cos I was going to be away (i.e. forgot again!). As if I was going to turn around to my 5 yr old (at the time) and tell him we couldnt go to disney after all.

Piss poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine and all that etc. Remember that one.... LOL

[northernladuk]

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

It's alright for you to say that being a disguised permie.

[psychocandy]

LOL. Same here. SAYS YOU CAN TAKE THE HOLIDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[psychocandy]

I got boomed 6 weeks ago, 3 weeks before my contract was due to finish. So before signing i said i wasn't available for a week. Lack of invoice does hurt as it doubles the holiday cost.

Getting the balance right is important for me. At minimum a week in the Summer and a week at Christmas minimum.

Would definitely get away in week 1 of being benched. Tell agents email only and can arrange interviews for when you return as ClientCo's always have a week between invitation to interview and interview date.

I also politely tell the client about some unavailability on Fridays and Mondays, can still work the hours the rest of the week but get a 4 day break, enough time to be worth it with no lost income.

Just bank hols for me at Xmas. Hate Xmas so dont mind working since I expect the MIL will be staying anyway.

Hmm. Not so sure about going away straight away after being benched. Even though I might have the warchest I'd still be worried about getting back in there looking for new gig.

[lukemg]

I have had a fair amount of bench time in the last few years so I am a bit reluctant to take other time off but I still do it.
I am just a bit more aware of making sure it is for a good reason and must admit the break always does me good.
The loss of revenue stings a bit but loss of relationship might sting too !!