Contractor Time Keeping Query

[Ketchup]

Throughout my working life, i have always got in to work half an hour early. This means i can get in, make a cup of tea, check emails have the normal morning idle chitchat you always get at the start of the day. Plus gives me a bit of slack if i am stuck in traffic or the trains are delayed, and no one questions me leaving promptly at 5.

I know many on here will say i'm not getting paid for the extra time, but being punctual and well-dressed are 2 things that i pride myself on and helps to be remembered in the right light for each client i have worked for,

[eek]

Throughout my working life, i have always got in to work half an hour early. This means i can get in, make a cup of tea, check emails have the normal morning idle chitchat you always get at the start of the day. Plus gives me a bit of slack if i am stuck in traffic or the trains are delayed, and no one questions me leaving promptly at 5.

I know many on here will say i'm not getting paid for the extra time, but being punctual and well-dressed are 2 things that i pride myself on and helps to be remembered in the right light for each client i have worked for,

+1 always early or late. Never clock watch because we all know permies dislike contractors so you should never give them obvious things to attack you on.

[Bunk]

Thanks folks. Have had a bit of a rubbish week but this thread has restored my faith in humanity.

You're a clock watcher too, you kicked me out as soon as my hour was up

[darmstadt]

I tend to do whatever hours I want to as most of my contracts state that I work nn hours until nn date with no start or end time. However I don't abuse that and tend to keep reasonably normal hours and always come to an agreement that as long as the work gets done, then I can work whatever and whenever I want within reason. Funnily enough my latest extension had a new clause in it as a different department (purchasing) have taken over contracts here which states something about 8 hour days. I rang up the consultancy and asked them about this as there was no way I was going to adhere to that and apparently its mainly aimed at temp workers here so to ignore it...

[Sausage Surprise]

As long as I show my face for a few hours that does me. Especially on a Friday.
It's a day rate after all not hourly.

[TheFaQQer]

You're a clock watcher too, you kicked me out as soon as my hour was up

Hour????

I assume that includes the 45 minutes for the pizza to arrive and 10 minutes to eat it.

[billybiro]

Throughout my working life, i have always been a doormat. This means I can get in, make a cup of tea, check emails allow the client to exploit me like i'm it's little b*tch. Plus gives me a bit of slack if i am stuck in traffic or the trains are delayed, so i can continue to brown-nose the management and no one questions me leaving promptly at 5.

I know many on here will say i'm not getting paid for the extra time, but allowing myself to be exploited and taken advantage of are things that i pride myself on and helps to be remembered as a weak yes-man for each client i have worked for,

FTFY.

[psychocandy]

Hmmm. I never clockwatch and always end up working slightly more than the hours. But with PWD its always a bit vague.

But, the important thing is I work a little extra if I want to. If someone tells me to do more hours they can sod off then. Also, if they get a few extra hours a week out of me then I dont expect whining when I come in 9-30 or so one or two days for whatever reason.

Then again, if I had train to catch etc then I could see how you'd have to be out of the door at a certain time mind. Or if it was a long drive home then I'd be less keen to stay for extra 30 mins. As it is, even if I leave at 6-30 I'm still home before 7 so not so much an issue. Leaving 6-30 and getting home after 8 or so would be an annoyance I agree.

[SueEllen]

Then again, if I had train to catch etc then I could see how you'd have to be out of the door at a certain time mind. Or if it was a long drive home then I'd be less keen to stay for extra 30 mins. As it is, even if I leave at 6-30 I'm still home before 7 so not so much an issue. Leaving 6-30 and getting home after 8 or so would be an annoyance I agree.

In that situation you would come in earlier.

Or make a point of one day a week staying longer.

[rocktronAMP]

Hi all,

This is my first post so I am hoping someone can answer my question....

This morning I got pulled into a meeting room by my manager screaming at me because my timesheet was incorrect and he threatened to not sign another until I sorted out my time keeping.

Basically the hours I do are 08:00 and leave work at 16:00 but I log off my laptop at 15:51 everyday and am out the office just before 16:00. The thing is I work for a large company and the actual building is massive so I am still "on-site" within my hours.

He has complained that I am leaving too early and gone loopy over it.

Can someone advise if I am right or is right?

Thanks for any help on this.

I hate clock watchers from the other side, the management. I think you are at fault though. You have take the right attitude in a contract especially in this bad economy. It is about giving value, so it moving slightly more to a consultant.


1. Why not do as the Romans do, when in Rome? I have personally witnessed a bas****d **** control freak manager and the culture of presentee-ism, workaholic-ism and bunker down mentality that was spread to the entire team of 25 odd people, who expected and regularly put in 9-12 hours of work at an investment bank. Unfortunately I was working as employed consultant at the time not as a contractor and the working time was 8:30AM to 6:45PM tough and it was a long story ... Your situation is peanuts compared my ex (See 3)

2. Coming at 8am and leaving at 4pm is a luxury. I have only seen that gig with people who do shifts in support, and even then it is one day every fortnight on a rota with early or late support. Doing what you are doing now as time everyday is splendid luxury for most people who have no choice to commit to full time job and part time job and surviving on a basic minimum wage. Your situation sounds absurd and you show your manager a distinct lack of respect, empathy and gratitude.

3. Why the bloody heck did you not ask about this at the interview time before accepting the offer of a contract?

4. Are you picking up kids from school or something? You probably need invest in helpers / neighbours / grandparents you can take the little one(s) to school and therefore you get into work 7:30 and still. You're a flaming contractor earning more than a permie so pay Granny £25 the bill a week to help you with the kids.

5. How long is this contract? If it three months or less then it is not a long time in your career life. Either put up or shut up and just deal.

6. I am sorry that your manager is shouting at you, but (1) you need to show empathy there. Work the ************ time that you signed up to do!!!!!