Being fired as a IT contractor

[LondonManc]

Hi there,

I am an IT contractor through my own limited company. I've been in my current role 2 months - and to be honest I'm not enjoying it at all and want to leave. I am on 4 weeks notice period.

I told my boss this week that I wanted to take 3 days off next week (weds, thurs and fri) - as my friends have booked a holiday and I want to go. I appreciate this is short notice I've given her. She has declined and said she needs me in the office (even though she doesnt because theres nothing at all to do)).

Long and short of it ----- im going on the holiday - be it by taking sick leave or just ignoring her advice not to go. I care more about going on the holiday than the job.....

However - if I do get fired I would like to still work out my 4 week notice period - which I'm worried might be put in danger if I go on the holiday after being told not to.

Can you let me know if there is any way I can preserve my 4 week notice period in this situation - Would it work if I claimed I was sick even though it was an obvious lie?

Thanks for your help

From - probably not the best person to hire for a job

Now then, DLT from asty, let's take this as a "you are the ref" question standpoint.

Personally, as a contractor, I would say that it very much depends upon the stage that the project is at. If offered a short break at short notice, I'd say that it depends what my work stack is like and how deadlines are. If I've got 7 days of work to do and we go live in 8 days then I'm not going on the short break because I'd rather build a relationship.

With me as the project manager and you as the contractor, if you've advised that you're unavailable at short notice, I'd discuss substitution at a reduced rate with someone competent enough to do the three days. If you're telling me on the Monday that you won't be available from Weds-Fri, you're not getting an extension because it's unreasonable and put my project at risk. I'll also make sure you never get contract work with me again. There's also nothing to stop me, should it benefit my project, from telling you that there's no more work for you and that I want you off site. The agent will back me up because I hold the money.

[MrMarkyMark]

Possibly I do. For example, I know that you should really be addressed as MsMarkyMark, not MrMarkyMark now that the gender re-alignment process is complete.

Well, I do have you to thank for such good surgeon recommendation.

The work he has done on you is really quite something

[WTFH]

Well, I do have you to thank for such good surgeon recommendation.

The work he has done on you is really quite something

Yup, getting it reduced to 12" was impressive, now it bangs my knee, not my ankle.

[psychocandy]

Now then, DLT from asty, let's take this as a "you are the ref" question standpoint.

Personally, as a contractor, I would say that it very much depends upon the stage that the project is at. If offered a short break at short notice, I'd say that it depends what my work stack is like and how deadlines are. If I've got 7 days of work to do and we go live in 8 days then I'm not going on the short break because I'd rather build a relationship.

With me as the project manager and you as the contractor, if you've advised that you're unavailable at short notice, I'd discuss substitution at a reduced rate with someone competent enough to do the three days. If you're telling me on the Monday that you won't be available from Weds-Fri, you're not getting an extension because it's unreasonable and put my project at risk. I'll also make sure you never get contract work with me again. There's also nothing to stop me, should it benefit my project, from telling you that there's no more work for you and that I want you off site. The agent will back me up because I hold the money.

Assuming this last paragraph would not apply in case of genuine emergency? i.e rather than a "fancy few days off for holiday". Hope not :-(

[LondonManc]

Assuming this last paragraph would not apply in case of genuine emergency? i.e rather than a "fancy few days off for holiday". Hope not :-(

Like I said, it depends upon the stage of the project.

If you've been naïve enough to ask for time off and it's not suitable, then that's your fault.

[MrMarkyMark]

Like I said, it depends upon the stage of the project.

If you've been naïve enough to ask for time off and it's not suitable, then that's your fault.

You are going to be working with PC

[psychocandy]

Like I said, it depends upon the stage of the project.

If you've been naïve enough to ask for time off and it's not suitable, then that's your fault.

Right so heres a scenario. Its critical project time. Contractor comes to you - got a family emerency, family member critically ill say. They said they'd do their best but need to be there.

You'd say sorry its an important time tough? Really?

If I was said contractor and client refused to act like a human being in a case like this, I'd be telling to stuff it up their backside sideways and be out the door within 5 minutes.

[jmo21]

Like I said, it depends upon the stage of the project.

If you've been naïve enough to ask for time off and it's not suitable, then that's your fault.

Right so heres a scenario. Its critical project time. Contractor comes to you - got a family emerency, family member critically ill say. They said they'd do their best but need to be there.

You'd say sorry its an important time tough? Really?

If I was said contractor and client refused to act like a human being in a case like this, I'd be telling to stuff it up their backside sideways and be out the door within 5 minutes.

It's not really the same thing though is it?

If I had a family emergency, I simply would not be in the office. No discussion, no asking.

"I need to go/won't be in because...." is all that is happening, followed probably by a an update the next day, or whatever.

[LondonManc]

It's not really the same thing though is it?

If I had a family emergency, I simply would not be in the office. No discussion, no asking.

"I need to go/won't be in because...." is all that is happening, followed probably by a an update the next day, or whatever.

Correct. PC lives in a different world, one where he still wants to be a perm.

[Bee]

If you want an advise… don't go on Holiday.
You have a commitment with the client and you shouldn't break it.

Good luck

Hi there,

I am an IT contractor through my own limited company. I've been in my current role 2 months - and to be honest I'm not enjoying it at all and want to leave. I am on 4 weeks notice period.

I told my boss this week that I wanted to take 3 days off next week (weds, thurs and fri) - as my friends have booked a holiday and I want to go. I appreciate this is short notice I've given her. She has declined and said she needs me in the office (even though she doesnt because theres nothing at all to do)).

Long and short of it ----- im going on the holiday - be it by taking sick leave or just ignoring her advice not to go. I care more about going on the holiday than the job.....

However - if I do get fired I would like to still work out my 4 week notice period - which I'm worried might be put in danger if I go on the holiday after being told not to.

Can you let me know if there is any way I can preserve my 4 week notice period in this situation - Would it work if I claimed I was sick even though it was an obvious lie?

Thanks for your help

From - probably not the best person to hire for a job