Do you take days off when contracting?

[MarillionFan]

Don't think anyone works long hours on their deathbed...

I think the saying is 'No-one ever says that they wished that they had worked longer while on their deathbed'

[eek]

I would always aim for a billing cycle of 44-46 weeks when contracting and normally fell into that. Saying that I've had feck all time off in the last two years.

but that's because you work for an american company with their crap holiday rules.

[proggy]

Whenever I feel like it, one of the reasons I became a contractor so I can choose when to work. I was thinking about going permie this year but read the employee handbook and it talked about investigations if you take 2 days sick off in 3 months etc. Feck that! I take usually 8 weeks off in total with holidays and "sickies".

[MarillionFan]

but that's because you work for an american company with their crap holiday rules.

Actually I have a UK contract. If I was to move at the end of the year as was the request my holiday would have dropped from 22 days to 10-12. Coupled with the fact that I've missed virtually every bank holiday excluding Xmas in the last year as I keep going stateside, plus losing weekends because of travelling (or bored so like now I've come into the office) I've got a bit of a bum deal.

Will have to see what happens now I've refused to move.

[eek]

Re: Do you take days off when contracting?

22 days is still tulip even if you ignore the loss of bank holidays. Many senior people would be on 28-30 day holiday nowadays possibly more given the way companies have tried to allow pay to be kept below £100k

[mudskipper]

I wanted part time, so negotiated 200 days over a year, which works out about 4 days a week, but flexible enough that I can take extra time off and make up time later. Works well for me.

[sirja]

Every year I set a target which is based on the assumption that I'll work full out for 10 months and the other 2 months are a combination of bench time and holidays.It's worked quite well for the last 7 years and means I don't feel guilty taking holidays.

[NotAllThere]

I have two targets; to earn a minimum income, and to work a minimum days (200). If I've worked 200 days and still not made my minimum required income, then I have to work more days (never happens). When I hit both targets, I feel absolutely free to take time off. Of course, if a client needs me, then I'll continue to work. My holidays have ranged from 4 to 12 weeks over the last few years. Generally in the beginning of the year, I just do 3 day weeks, as I have other interests to develop. Couldn't do it this year as had a project that needed completing by 1st April.

[nomadd]

I think the saying is 'No-one ever says that they wished that they had worked longer while on their deathbed'

Yes, I know.

[rocktronAMP]

I wouldn't say I have had days off to just relax and do nothing but I certainly don't work myself in to the ground. If I need a day off I take one. Losing the billing day bites but I can get over that. I chose contracting for flexibility and to be in charge of my own time/career not work hard/longer and be more stressed.

I also attend conferences abroad and in the UK as I consider that time as a staying ahead of the game and being involved with the wider community between the day job.

If you do not take time of for conferences and learnings, then I suppose the other choices are training courses (1-5 days), and of-course there is the family, if you have them, and work-life balance!