holiday during notice period

**tractor** · 18 June 2014, 19:58

Originally posted by raphal View Post

I have searched the forum, could not find an answer (one post discussed about this, but was for a permie role).

Can one take days off during notice period ? (Nothing mentioned about this in my contract).
If I am on X days notice, does it include weekends ? (again nothing mentioned in my contract about it. It only says Notice period to the Agency X days.)
I can ask my agency, but may get a response X week days and no holiday during notice period, which I am not sure whether it is the case.

If the contract is silent on the matter, then it is open to interpretation and negotiation by both parties.

**CheeseSlice** · 18 June 2014, 22:11

Who gave notice?
What work is there left to do?
Does client want a handover?

You should be glad NLUK hasn't found this post yet.

**northernladuk** · 18 June 2014, 22:53

Holidays and notice periods are for permies.

**northernladuk** · 18 June 2014, 23:00

Originally posted by tractor View Post

If the contract is silent on the matter, then it is open to interpretation and negotiation by both parties.

I would tend to agree but personally I would assume it is working days but if I really needed to be out quick and had little choice I would argue it included weekends. The actual number of days is going to be the clue. If it's 5 or 10 days then pretty safe to assume its working days. If it's 7 or 14 days you could assume its every day.

Contractors don't take holidays so second issue is irrelevant.

**speling bee** · 19 June 2014, 08:16

Originally posted by raphal View Post

I have searched the forum, could not find an answer (one post discussed about this, but was for a permie role).

Can one take days off during notice period ? (Nothing mentioned about this in my contract).
If I am on X days notice, does it include weekends ? (again nothing mentioned in my contract about it. It only says Notice period to the Agency X days.)
I can ask my agency, but may get a response X week days and no holiday during notice period, which I am not sure whether it is the case.

Advise your client of days when you are unavailable for work and offer to get a sub in if it suits them.

**Sausage Surprise** · 19 June 2014, 12:01

Originally posted by raphal View Post

I have searched the forum, could not find an answer (one post discussed about this, but was for a permie role).

Can one take days off during notice period ? (Nothing mentioned about this in my contract).
If I am on X days notice, does it include weekends ? (again nothing mentioned in my contract about it. It only says Notice period to the Agency X days.)
I can ask my agency, but may get a response X week days and no holiday during notice period, which I am not sure whether it is the case.

I believe one can old chap...just inform the client that you're unavailable for that period.

**speling bee** · 19 June 2014, 14:27

Originally posted by Sausage Surprise View Post

I believe one can old chap...just inform the client that you're unavailable for that period.

+1. The contract is the framework in which work may take place. Work may not be available to the contractor and the contractor may not be available to work.

I think. IANAL etc.

**northernladuk** · 19 June 2014, 15:25

Indeed but don't expect the client to be over the moon when you inform them you won't be available during notice periods. If your holiday just happens to coincide with the end of the contract it could be wise to make sure you are ready to leave on the spot in case he walks you there and then. Your leave my be a legitimate family holiday that's fallen badly but he is more likely to assume you are just ducking your notice period and will be very unhappy. IMO if that is what you are doing it's very bad form.

**andyc2000** · 19 June 2014, 15:39

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Indeed but don't expect the client to be over the moon when you inform them you won't be available during notice periods. If your holiday just happens to coincide with the end of the contract it could be wise to make sure you are ready to leave on the spot in case he walks you there and then. Your leave my be a legitimate family holiday that's fallen badly but he is more likely to assume you are just ducking your notice period and will be very unhappy. IMO if that is what you are doing it's very bad form.

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.

holiday during notice period