holiday during notice period

[rocktronAMP]

I usually try to build a holiday into the contract. For instance I was contracted recently for 20 days for a particular piece of work so my notice was already known, they had budgeted for 20 days and I had 20 days of work to do. But I wanted a few days off in the middle for a family holiday, so I checked that it was OK to take the time and it didn't conflict with any deadlines and still worked the 20 days - just added them on at the end.
I'm now on the next piece of work with the client, so clearly when you communicate your intentions it usually isn't a problem.

Most people would already have planned a summer holiday in the next months. 1 or 2 weeks. So it is a dumb client, stakeholder who suddenly has an urgent requirement for a contractor resource as of 26 June 2014 and then does not take in account what normal people do in this country. Good project managers will know this and factor in that people tend to be away over the next couple of months and adapt the budget to getting somebody in and scoping the project dead lines. However, some businesses and their culture really treat their employee's like s*** no matter what their mission statements says and therefore you have to just front up before you sign the dotted line e.g. at interview time. At least you can say I told them and they were happy with this news or not. They can hire you or find the next fellow, then it is up to you trust their reactions or not. I suppose this is the work / life balance thing and a personal thing. Some contractors bend over backwards to whatever the client says. Some people who are not contractors even agree that you not take any holiday at all in 6 month contract. They think it will endanger work, prevent you getting an extension. IMO I don't agree with that view. The client might be an idiot or the client has bad office culture or working practice that was not apparent when interviewed with them. If the client is a good then build a relationship with them and then accept the renewal or move on to the next gig. I say take 1 week holiday in every 3 months is a good measure, which amounts to the standard 20 days is suitable. After all you aren't a slave. It is your life and contractors should have a lot of more freedom after all why do contracting if it is more painful than being permanent employee? ...

[northernladuk]

Most people would already have planned a summer holiday in the next months. 1 or 2 weeks. So it is a dumb client, stakeholder who suddenly has an urgent requirement for a contractor resource as of 26 June 2014 and then does not take in account what normal people do in this country. Good project managers will know this and factor in that people tend to be away over the next couple of months and adapt the budget to getting somebody in and scoping the project dead lines. However, some businesses and their culture really treat their employee's like s*** no matter what their mission statements says and therefore you have to just front up before you sign the dotted line e.g. at interview time. At least you can say I told them and they were happy with this news or not. They can hire you or find the next fellow, then it is up to you trust their reactions or not. I suppose this is the work / life balance thing and a personal thing. Some contractors bend over backwards to whatever the client says. Some people who are not contractors even agree that you not take any holiday at all in 6 month contract. They think it will endanger work, prevent you getting an extension. IMO I don't agree with that view. The client might be an idiot or the client has bad office culture or working practice that was not apparent when interviewed with them. If the client is a good then build a relationship with them and then accept the renewal or move on to the next gig. I say take 1 week holiday in every 3 months is a good measure, which amounts to the standard 20 days is suitable. After all you aren't a slave. It is your life and contractors should have a lot of more freedom after all why do contracting if it is more painful than being permanent employee? ...

Ever thought about using paragraphs. That is bloody awful to read.

[speling bee]

Ever thought about using paragraphs?

That is bloody awful to read.

FTFY

[Sausage Surprise]

Ever thought about using paragraphs. That is bloody awful to read.

I didn't bother after the first line. The backs of my eyes started to hurt.