How to Approach 'Paternity' Time Off With Potential Clients?

[northernladuk]

Especially if is hiring a contractor to cover maternity leave!

What has that got to do with anything?

[NickNick]

My first child was born whilst I was working my first contract, and the second was born in my second contract. In the first case I told the client as opposed to the agent about the upcoming birth and in teh second case I was direct working on a PO/workpackage basis. In both cases they were fine with it, happy for me in fact. from their point of view it's no different to any other sort of thing that may take me off site for a couple of weeks.

I didn't bother telling the agent as it would have been odd I thought, to tell them and then have them communicate it to the client on site.

[Taita]

What has that got to do with anything?

Not being sexist, northernladuk.

The Client needs the cover without further interruption is what I mean.

[psychocandy]

I went through this in my first contract. Would have two weeks there and then two weeks off when my son was born. After they were interested I told the agent to check with them and she said she had spoken to them and it was fine. Showed up on my first day and mailed my manager the exact dates, he came over and had no idea what I was talking about. Agent had not said a word. Luckily it was fine and he did not mind.

If I had this again I would tell the client after they have offered and ask whether it is a problem. If it is then you are out anyway, if not if gives them a chance to plan for it.

I've had that as well - twice but for holidays. Even on current gig. Luckily both times the client was ok about it.

This time I emailed the agency and they emailed me back telling me yeh told the client and they're ok. But when I got here first they'd heard. If it had gone a but pete tong you can bet I'd have been forwarding the email I had from agency to client ands asking them to speak to them about it.

My theory is that agents get all excited that they've got the gig lined up. Then contractor throws a possible spanner by saying they want time off during. Not only might it knacker the whole thing by upsetting the client but thats a week/2 with no cut for them. So they dont pass it on to the client and contractor starts with agent hoping:-

1) Client will be ok anyway when contractor checks.
2) Client might object but contractor will take no for an answer and cancel holiday.

Either way they dont have to get involved....

Generally, I dont mention at interview unless asked but think its fair to mention if its imminent. If its outside scope of current contract then I dont mention (i.e. if I've got a holiday 4 months off and gig is 3 months length). If its looking good for extension I will tell client then to keep them posted though.

I had the baby thing at previous gig. I'd been there nearly two years so they had ample warning. Mrs had health problems and plan was for early C section and the date seemed to change on a weekly basis.

Did one PM listen when I said not to do something those weeks? Nope. I even offered to not have any pat leave if let me have day or two and then WFH but they wanted me on customer site the day of the birth. As if.

Then again, team leader a cracking guy. But he worked way too hard and the company really took the piss. He missed birth of two of his kids because the company had sent him across europe that week. Mad.

[northernladuk]

Not being sexist, northernladuk.

The Client needs the cover without further interruption is what I mean.

Not the sexist bit. What does it matter the reason you are covering for the client. How does that relate to the contractors situation?

[reformation]

Not the sexist bit. What does it matter the reason you are covering for the client. How does that relate to the contractors situation?

He was implying the irony of taking time off as a contractor for your wifes birth, when you're there in the first place to cover a woman having a baby and being on maternity leave.

[northernladuk]

He was implying the irony of taking time off as a contractor for your wifes birth, when you're there in the first place to cover a woman having a baby and being on maternity leave.

Am well aware of that and it's not irony at all. What I am pointing out that the two couldn't be more unrelated.

[Taita]

Am well aware of that and it's not irony at all. What I am pointing out that the two couldn't be more unrelated.

In the client's mind, the two could not be more related! All that effort to arrange cover just to have to do it all again! What bit of the concept are you having difficulty understanding My Oracle?

[northernladuk]

In the client's mind, the two could not be more related! All that effort to arrange cover just to have to do it all again! What bit of the concept are you having difficulty understanding My Oracle?

What a load of Bollocks.

[Taita]

What a load of Bollocks.

A loss of words is so unusual for you. I hope you feel better soon.