what to do?

[chef]

have you tried talking it over with her instead of a bunch of internet losers?

I'm mulling over options before I go home this weekend and thought u bunch of "losers" as you put it might offer some perspective..


edit: phone is not the way to win around gf chef, I know that much

[Pondlife]

Obviously I don't know the details but I've never come across a PM with that much influence. As Peoplesoft says, things change anyway.

If you feel there's real money to be made then one weekend means nothing compared to a few weeks with gf chef in the Maldives paid from future work. On the otherhand, if they're that badly organised that this is so critical then expect it to happen again and for you to be first point of call due to your flexibility.

Personally, I like to keep client happy for the sake of the odd weekend and Mrs PL happy with a bit of extravegance when required.

It depends how important that weekend is.

[CheeseSlice]

How important is this project?
Will planes crash, life support machines stop, etc?

Any PM or client who is a human being should understand, especially if your gf booked you first.
Shouldn't they be asking "are you available on saturday Xth November?" rather than saying "Thou shalt work on Saturday Xth Nov"?

[chef]

It depends how important that weekend is.

a point well made.. or

[RichardCranium]

Tell them in work the truth. Simple as that.

"My gf has booked and paid for a weekend away as it is my birthday. I really want to help you with this, but it will harm my relationship with my girlfriend. Will you completely refund the cost of the booking she has made - I will provide the receipts and put in an expenses claim - as a good will gesture? If so, then I am available."

or

"My gf has booked and paid for a weekend away as it is my birthday. I really want to help you with this, but it will harm my relationship with my girlfriend. Can I be on call for the critical parts? We can rehearse the work on the dev box a couple of times and I'll come up with a test plan and fallback plan for someone else to follow over the weekend. I'll be available on my mobile if anything goes wrong. I'll take my laptop so I will be able to use remote access, if necessary."

[chef]

Shouldn't they be asking "are you available on saturday Xth November?" rather than saying "Thou shalt work on Saturday Xth Nov"?

they asked it in the right way, the underlying strong hint is more of a "you will"

[Spacecadet]

I think you're other problem now is that you didn't tell your client straight away.
The fact that you've gone away to think about it shows that your open to pressure. An instant "no, I've got unchangeable plans" would have nipped it in the bud straight away.

[CheeseSlice]

I think you're other problem now is that you didn't tell your client straight away.
The fact that you've gone away to think about it shows that your open to pressure. An instant "no, I've got unchangeable plans" would have nipped it in the bud straight away.

Although it is his birthday weekend, and that's pretty hard to fake.

edit: sorry, thought this was about being seen to go away to make up excuses. I should read properly next time.

[RichardCranium]

Alternatively, give the PM the treatment that PMs normally get:

• No.
• Call yourself a project manager? A real project manager checks the availability of resource before agreeing a plan.
• What do you think you're playing at, assuming people have no life outside work?
• You don't pay us to be on call, so don't assume we are.
• I'm a contractor, not a permie. I have a life.
• How long have you known about this? If you had been managing the project properly you'd have known months ago. Why I should I change my plans to cover up your incompetence?
• I'll phone my gf and you can explain to her why she has to go to <location> on her own.

[Pondlife]

Silly question maybe but who will be using this release on Sat + Sun?

Will you be back in the office Monday first thing to deal with any issues that std support cannot handle?

Is the issue supporting the migration or carp hitting the fan when the idiots users get hold of it?