Out of pocket for hotel due to clients uselessness

[psychocandy]

Now, I'm all for flexibility but this is taking the biscuit. I know some of you think I moan about client a lot but this is not on in my opinion.

A few weeks ago client asked us to work 12 hour shifts. OK they were going to pay 1.5x day rate. At the time, I must admit I wasn't mega keen (one hour plus drive from home, 8 week old baby at home). Meant not really practical to travel home every evening. But there we go I went for it.

This week, the rota dictated 12 hour day today then 4 12 hour nights this week. Even less chance to drive home, hotel might be difficult to sleep in the day. So I booked a flat for a few nights.

Today, they've told me they've told me they want me to work days instead this week. So that's the flat idea pretty much shagged (I'd arranged to check in tuesday 9am after night shift and leave 8pm friday evening before last night shift) and I've paid and its not cancelable.

Not impressed at all. Clients answer. Sorry but we can change the shifts if we like. We need flexibility. Nice one.

[BrilloPad]

Not impressed at all. Clients answer. Sorry but we can change the shifts if we like. We need flexibility. Nice one.

Obviously very annoying - but can they change the shifts according to the contract? Have you told them about your personal circumstances?

[FiveTimes]

Why cant you drive home after a night shift ? Its not like you have worked any longer than when you did your 12 hour days. Just the start and end time differ.

[tarbera]

??

Obviously very annoying - but can they change the shifts according to the contract? Have you told them about your personal circumstances?

Why would they give a monkies about his personal circumstances or flat whinging ???

Suck it up

[BrilloPad]

Why cant you drive home after a night shift ? Its not like you have worked any longer than when you did your 12 hour days. Just the start and end time differ.

Personally I would not fancy it. Sounds quite dangerous to me.

[psychocandy]

Obviously very annoying - but can they change the shifts according to the contract? Have you told them about your personal circumstances?

Probably my fault this one. Shifts were never in the original contract. This was added as a personal agreement. Thats the way the client likes to do things.

Learnt my lesson on that one. Never again.

I did tell them that I'd booked accom due the fact that they asked me to work nights and now I'd be out of pocket. Didnt give a monkeys....

[psychocandy]

Personally I would not fancy it. Sounds quite dangerous to me.

EXACTLY. Its an hour plus drive at the best of times. And finishing shift at 8am means rush hour this end and home end so its going to take ages.

And my house not exaclty best place for kip at the moment. 8 week old baby etc.

[BrilloPad]

Why would they give a monkies about his personal circumstances or flat whinging ???

Suck it up

I would hope that we are not at the level yet where people are just seen as a commodity to be moved around like office furniture. Sadly in alot of cases it seem we are.

[FiveTimes]

Personally I would not fancy it. Sounds quite dangerous to me.

how is it any more dangerous to drive home after a night shift assuming the OP can get his required amount of sleep before the shift.

[psychocandy]

Why would they give a monkies about his personal circumstances or flat whinging ???

Suck it up

By that rationale, contractors should only book hotels as they're leaving the office in case client decides they want them to work.

Flexibility is a two way thing. If clients want it then they've got to at least be fair. Telling me 3 weeks ago I had to work nights - is me being flexible for them. Them changing they're mind 1 day before when ive made the necessary arrangements to accomodate them is unprofessional.