Does professional working day imply no weekends?

[speling bee]

This is part of normal business risk, I'm afraid? Your expectations are not that unusual. Your number of invoicing days is irrelevant other than to you, so the choices are to accept or walk away.

WSS

The other option is to negotiate before accepting outcome or walking away.

[BlasterBates]

First of all your contract is with the agency not the client, so you need to discuss this with the agency.

You need to look if there is a clause about working weekends. If there isn't one you can probably refuse, but you might need to check with a lawyer.

There are usually clauses in the contract which allow clients not to pay you if there is no work so they might be able to send you home for a day or two without breaking the contract.

If you're not bothered about getting or a renewal or a longer term relationship with the client then you can simply make your position clear to the agency.

[d000hg]

I don't mind the client keeping an eye on their costs, but when they decide they want to move the goalposts mid contract (and not by mutual agreement) then there is something wrong with that.

As for not seeing how it makes a difference, consider the following scenario:

Basic working month: 20 days (Mon to Fri, 4 weeks).
Weekend work: anywhere from 3 to 6 days (over the month).
Total month: 23 to 26 days.

Under the proposed scheme:

Basic working month: 14 to 17 days.
Weekend work: 3 to 6 days
Total month: 20 days

So, I'd have the aggravation of working at the weekend (which doesn't attract a higher rate), coupled with the fact that I'm billing for 3 to 6 days less each month. I don't know about you but that prospect doesn't exactly fill me with joy. Maybe I'm just odd that way.

So did you say working weekends was part of the original contract, or an addition that came along and bumped you from 20-26 days? I think it was the latter?

The weekend work (when it occurs) has to take place at the weekend by its nature

Is the work which is done at the weekend part of what you're contracted to do? If so I don't think you really have a legitimate complaint, only a grumble But I didn't re-read your first post so correct anything I got wrong.

[psychocandy]

OP - to clarify, so to date you've been working mon-fri and then the odd weekend which is paid at normal rate? So you billed for 6/7 days all at normal rate.

And now they still want weekend work but want a day off in the week so you're billing no more than 5?

So they could say please work Saturday and Sunday but take Tuesday and Thurday off? Obviously hassle if your staying away.

Sorry but you were flexible and worked weekends for them (yes I know you got paid but you could have said no and you could have asked for a premium) so this is taking the piss now. If it was me I'd start being unavailble at weekends from now on.

Chances are client wont see it like this. They'll just see a resource and work getting done and if they can get people to do it like this they will. Trouble is its awkwrd now if you've worked weekends in the past and suddenly refuse now. I would highlight it if you are staying away though that its awkward for you.

But like others have said, you can suck it up or kick off and bin it.

[TheFaQQer]

If you don't want to work weekends, and don't want to just say no, then make sure you have things planned for the weekend.

Some clients will always take the piss - I had one client ring me at quarter past three as I was sat on the plane from London to Manchester waiting for the doors to close, to ask me whether I was working that weekend, and was there any chance I could head back to the office. Unfortunately, at that point, they closed the doors so I had to hang up and switch off until the Monday morning.

[psychocandy]

If you don't want to work weekends, and don't want to just say no, then make sure you have things planned for the weekend.

Some clients will always take the piss - I had one client ring me at quarter past three as I was sat on the plane from London to Manchester waiting for the doors to close, to ask me whether I was working that weekend, and was there any chance I could head back to the office. Unfortunately, at that point, they closed the doors so I had to hang up and switch off until the Monday morning.

Quite a few like this. I had one who often had emergencies on friday am that needed someone to work over the weekend. I used to say, OK send me an email authorising payment for this period and I'll do it.

By friday afternoon, it wasnt so important i.e. I wasnt doing it for free.

Unfortunately, in this client, a new contractor came on board who would work weekends for free. Did my nut in.

[northernladuk]

Unfortunately, in this client, a new contractor came on board who would work weekends for free. Did my nut in.

Is he still there or did he have to go on JSA/take low paid gigs?

[speling bee]

Is he still there or did he have to go on JSA/take low paid gigs?

I thought Poundland had stopped taking workfare 'volunteers'.

[psychocandy]

guys - next time you pay your tax bill just think of that tiny bit thats going into my beer fund when i claim jsa. do you honestly think im bothered?

[speling bee]

guys - next time you pay your tax bill just think of that tiny bit thats going into my beer fund when i claim jsa. do you honestly think im bothered?

The feckless are seldom 'bothered'.