First Timer: Contract includes a separate Travel Time rate

[Flight]

Hello all,

I have had a search around on the forums and can't find a specific answer to my following question, apologies if it has been asked before and I have missed it.

I am in the process of negotiating a contract, the potential Client's first contract offer includes a separate Travel Time rate. I was surprised to see this as I would have expected it to be simply something that is included in the daily rate, or for very long journeys - billed at the hourly rate that would be the agreed day rate divided by 7.5 for example. The travel rate within the contract is approximately a third of what that would work out as.

My concern would be inadvertently signing up to a contract where I could be asked to travel 6 hours of the working day and end up earning less than I should for my actual day rate, because I wasn't technically 'working'.

I would appreciate any experience you have to offer with this sort of thing. I have asked the client to clarify how this is calculated and the terms on this, but would be good to hear back from others before the client responds after the weekend.

Best regards,

Flight

[CheeseSlice]

Never seen that one before. This sounds like a raw deal to me and only really benefits the clientco. Have you tried asking them how much of the week you'd be expected to travel? Given that they're taking this approach it suggests they're expecting it to be a lot.

I had a good contract once where I knew long distance travel would be expected each week, but I was fortunate enough to negotiate a fixed day rate that would include travel and accommodation costs but with a maximum number of journeys between pre-agreed locations each week. This was the best outcome as they knew exactly how much they were going to pay, and I knew what my worst case earnings would be (one location was commutable from my home). Your contract seems to be the polar opposite so it could use some negotiation.

edit: it may help others to respond by knowing whether you're expected to stop overnight in hotels, or maybe take international flights (is your name a hint?), or if you're going to be driving around the UK a lot.

[Flight]

CheeseSlice,

Thanks for your reply. The travel is likely to come in bursts, e.g. occasional (1 day per week) for a few meetings and then less regularly longer visits for on site jobs that would require an overnight stay - which in the contract stipulates should be booked by the client. Name is unrelated - so no international flights!

As I said in my original post I have sought some clarification from the client and hopefully will be able to resolve it soon.

[jmo21]

Sounds like child's logic doesn't it, only pay real rate when actually working, not driving.

Sounds like a total ball ache and is a big red flag at the start.

[herman_g]

I was on contract to VocaLink last year.

Travel between their Northern and Southern office took 6-8 hours return. My reporting manager ( a contractor ) had suggested I leave the other site at 14:00 to return but a visit usually prompted meeting requests from senior influential managers at 17:00 - 18:00 - I couldn't just turn them down.

The end result was long tiring days and feelings of not being respected as a professional. Sure, they were generous enough on the expense side ( the permies were happy to travel because it meant an extra 100 or so pocket money per day if they used their own cars ) but my time was abused.

If my contract included a travel rate to bill those hours to, it would have been a lot more fair than it was.

[Flight]

If my contract included a travel rate to bill those hours to, it would have been a lot more fair than it was.

Herman,

Thank you for your reply - I'm hoping that is how it works, the rate in addition to those worked over the normal Professional Working Day - but I thought it was wise to seek clarification that it is not the case of paying you less throughout the PWD if you're travelling not working.

[mudskipper]

Herman,

Thank you for your reply - I'm hoping that is how it works, the rate in addition to those worked over the normal Professional Working Day - but I thought it was wise to seek clarification that it is not the case of paying you less throughout the PWD if you're travelling not working.

That sounds fair - travel time over and beyond the normal day. Hopefully that's what it is.

[herman_g]

Herman,

Thank you for your reply - I'm hoping that is how it works, the rate in addition to those worked over the normal Professional Working.

I would be surprised if the expectation is that travel interferes with the normal business day. If so, it would be easy enough to insist on traveling the evening before in order to be properly rested and maximize daytime productivity ( as well as avoid peak traffic or other reasonable excuse ). If they refuse to pay the lodging, don't make a big deal about it. 30 or 35 quid for a b&b should be easily made up by working a full day.

BTW, Best contract deal I had for travel was time and a half billable hours whilst flying every two weeks KLM business class Toronto to Amsterdam ( mid-nineties with IBM Canada ). Still had to do 5 hours at the client in Amsterdam after arriving 06:00 and sleeping to noon.

Those were the days ( pre-Bob of course ).

[yasockie]

Generally I just charge my hourly rate no matter what the client wants, be it travel, painting the walls etc.
I set it up high, so they usually think twice before sending me off for some silly country sightseeing adventure, but if they do, I certainly don't mind - I usually work on a train anyway so it makes total sense to charge the usual rate.