Attitude to being available out of hours

**SarahL2012** · 19 March 2013, 09:57

I've dealt with a few urgent out of hours queries - including one where I was on holiday.

If it happens all the time then start to bill them for it & they'll soon stop!

**VectraMan** · 19 March 2013, 10:03

Tell them you're willing to discuss an out of hours or on call rate if that's the requirement.

**BolshieBastard** · 19 March 2013, 10:04

If you give them an inch, they'll take a mile.

That's why if there's no OOH support clause, you dont or shouldnt volunteer it. It's like doing extra hours free.

You've let the client and others know you're happy to do it (never mind the caveats) hence the client now asking where were you and why didnt you support.

All this stuff is pretty basic. You really should act more professionally.

**jmo21** · 19 March 2013, 10:19

Originally posted by VectraMan View Post

Tell them you're willing to discuss an out of hours or on call rate if that's the requirement.

This, although this should have been discussed more fully when he asked for your number the first time.

**evilagent** · 19 March 2013, 10:21

It depends on the client as well.
There were some projects in my early contracting career I was doing extra hours just to get my hands on new technology.

And if they ask politely, I dont see the harm. As long as its rare.

But if client asks "where were you", thats just rude, and shows disrespect, since you are not obligated to respond out of hours.

As for "give an inch", I honestly believe it's more a reflection of their level of respect for you and your obligation, rather than a desire to screw as much out of you as possible.

You should just charge for your time at a premium rate if its often.
Just to add, charge for minimum hours, eg, min of 3hrs at premium rate.

**kingcook** · 19 March 2013, 10:32

Originally posted by psychocandy View Post

Normally I don't mind if a colleague at the client phones me out of hours if there's anything I can do to help. I'm happy if a 5 min call gets someone out of a hole. As long as:-

1. Its not all the time.
2. As long as it is just a quick call and doesn't take ages.
3. They don't expect it.

But, its amazing the attitude sometimes. Current client pays someone to be on call (but not me!). Got up this morning to find a few texts on my phone, some urgent emails at 10pm last night.

Then client had the cheek to ask - where was I last night? This problem needed to be sorted. Are you having a laugh?

Bearing in mind this is also the same client who constantly messes me around with extensions, always tries to penny pinch when they can. Not exactly deserving of freebies if I'm honest....

I've got the feeling I'm maybe too nice and, in future, will consider not even doing anything like this for free. The old saying 'give an inch and they'll take a mile' rings very true.

Probably bad idea that they have my own personal mobile no too. Time to get another sim card for business use I think and then swap it over when I walk out the door at night.

What do rest of you do?

Had an email just a couple of weeks ago at current client co. It was addressed to contractors on site and permies. It said it as client is coming up to year end there some data that needs sorting out and they are asking us all to give a few extra hours per week.

I ignored the email.

**formant** · 19 March 2013, 10:50

God, that's the sort of thing I already flat out refused to respond to as a permie.

Incidentally working flexible part-time hours from home means that I regularly get the odd "out of hours" call. But that's within normal business day hours, so I'm alright with it. If I need to do something straight away, I just do shorter days the rest of the week.

**northernladuk** · 19 March 2013, 10:50

Change clients for gods sake. They obviously see you as part and parcel of the company so time to go and give us a break.

**NotAllThere** · 19 March 2013, 11:02

I'm happy to be called. I charge my normal rate, or work a shorter day another time (depending on the budget).

Attitude to being available out of hours