Working from home/4 days out of 5 etc - when to raise with client

[SueEllen]

OK, we need one of our little chats. Go and shadow Dodgy for the day. See how he operates. Feel the luxury of the nearly new faux leather seat covers in his Cortina. Then work it out for yourself.

That's a polite way of putting it.

You can be honest and direct by keeping your mouth shut. Alternatively you can ask a more open question for example graduates and young people are encouraged to ask "What would be a typical working day if I took the job?" That way they are asking in one question:
1. What the hell will I be doing?
2. How long will I be doing if for?
3. When am I expected to start and finish?
4. Who will I be working with??

[Old Greg]

That's a polite way of putting it.

You can be honest and direct by keeping your mouth shut. Alternatively you can ask a more open question for example graduates and young people are encouraged to ask "What would be a typical working day if I took the job?" That way they are asking in one question:
1. What the hell will I be doing?
2. How long will I be doing if for?
3. When am I expected to start and finish?
4. Who will I be working with??

Maybe he's deliberately throwing it to keep the dole office off his back.

[northernladuk]

Maybe he's deliberately throwing it to keep the dole office off his back.

At least he is good at something then.

[darmstadt]

Normally when I have a telephone interview the client will tell me about flexible hours before I even ask. It tends to come up when discussing logistics.

WSES +1

[eek]

PC seems to miss a fundamental issue. Some skill sets / jobs / clients require people to be on site...

Current clientco is one would love to work from home just not practical so I stay over instead....

[SueEllen]

PC seems to miss a fundamental issue. Some skill sets / jobs / clients require people to be on site...

Current clientco is one would love to work from home just not practical so I stay over instead....

His family circumstances means he needs to be near home and be flexible.

Maybe he needs to accept a permie job.

[No2politics]

Of course. I've found the sweet spot to be 1/3 OFF my on-site rate. Off-site (i.e. I'm on the client's site).

Spel:

very interesting strategy, and one im going to try out. Although I may artificially increase my on site rate, so that I'm not losing out too much on the rate.

I'm fortunate in the current client co actually approached me (I worked with hiring manager 5 years ago). They needed someone in Scotland but its such a niche area they were willing to let my WFH 70% of the time. I can't tell you what a difference it makes compared to a 1 hour commute into London. I'm now able to train more/harder as I'm getting 8 hours sleep, and avoid getting ill by sharing a carriage with illness spreading computers. Worry is I'm turning into a hermit though!

[No2politics]

Illness spreading commuters not computers!

[scooterscot]

Spel:

very interesting strategy, and one im going to try out. Although I may artificially increase my on site rate, so that I'm not losing out too much on the rate.

I'm fortunate in the current client co actually approached me (I worked with hiring manager 5 years ago). They needed someone in Scotland but its such a niche area they were willing to let my WFH 70% of the time. I can't tell you what a difference it makes compared to a 1 hour commute into London. I'm now able to train more/harder as I'm getting 8 hours sleep, and avoid getting ill by sharing a carriage with illness spreading computers. Worry is I'm turning into a hermit though!

Rate is only important as saying how much you value time at home with family. For me spending time at home with my daughters, taking random mid-day walks in the park - I can't put a price on that. So I don't worry much about dropping a 1/3 off my rate to work from my own office. Besides I'm not spending money on commuting, or hotels, or getting ill.

Pulling it off comes down to how good you're at managing time. I'm terrible and end up with late nights and working weekends. But I will say that as far as the client is concerned, we agree a milestone or SOW and deliver when we say we would. The feedback has always been great. Stay within your milestones, deliver quality. I always go out of my way to show enthusiasm at the time of delivery.

You mention sleep. The one thing I've noticed ever since working from home is how much more sleep I get. As a result my overall health has improved much. Sleep is important, even if I'm not having breakfast by 10am I don't feel guilty about whatsoever.

[No2politics]

Rate is only important as saying how much you value time at home with family. For me spending time at home with my daughters, taking random mid-day walks in the park - I can't put a price on that.

Absolutely this. Good luck to you compadre. I plan to do the same when/if the time comes