Contract with some international travel

[strawberrysmoothie]

Ok,

I was reading another thread about a contract in the EU and this got me thinking about my situation.

I've progressed through to the next interview stage with a company, interesting role but it requires occasionally working in a satellite office in the EU.

Now I want to add I have NEVER worked outside of the UK before so during the initial discussion I quoted a day rate based on working in London (which is a great rate by the way).

Now I am concerned that was a bad idea (If it was, I take full responsibility for the screw up), because I should have asked more questions regarding travel and expenses while in the EU office. Alternatively, in retrospect, maybe I should possibly upped my rate to take those factors into consideration

As I said I'm ONLY at the interview stage but if I do get offered the role, how should I approach the topic tactically with the company 'regarding travel and expenses while I am on client site'.

So this role does not become a financial drain.

thanks

[ladymuck]

When it comes up in the interview, you ask how often you will be working in the non UK sites. Then say that you will charge reasonable expenses for your travel and accommodation. Ask if they have a policy on how much they will reimburse. You might want to travel business class and stay in 5 star hotels but they might refuse to meet that cost.

[v8gaz]

Done this a few times, including the current gig. Most clients will have a travel and expenses policy. Travel below a certain number of hours will be at standard class, while over the time limit will be 1st on trains or business flying. They will normally have a preferred travel agency that will book travel and preferred hotels. There may be some leeway, but they will dictate - however any travel away from their nominated base will be expensed. I have never travelled for a client and not have them expense it.

Also - make sure you sign up for whatever frequent guest/flier programmes are appropriate. The benefits will rack up in no time.

[Lance]

Contract with some international travel

What v8gaz says.

To be honest it’s not something I’d worry about at interview. It’s a question for contract/rate negotiation.

In an ideal world you’ll get a home working contract so can claim all travel and expenses off the client. Some clients have done me as home based others will pick the closest site as main site and all others sites to be expensed.

[WTFH]

Are you going direct or through an agent?
Do you know where you would be traveling to, and is it somewhere you can get to easily from where you live?
Find out how often you would be making the trips and for how long each time.
Find out if they will pay for the trips.
Get loyalty cards for the airline (if you’re flying) and hotel, try to stay in a chain such as Marriott or Holiday Inb

[BlasterBates]

The interview stage is the right time to bring the subject up. It is quite simple either they pay your expenses or you increase your rate to compensate. If you are going through an agency then you need to negotiate with them, you just need to know how often you'll be expected to travel. It is highly likely they'll cover your expenses.

[ChimpMaster]

My contract, which is an amended version of the one PCG+ one provided, had terms to the effect that my consultancy would charge an extra £150 per day worked abroad, plus of course reasonable T&E.

For me it is a massive inconvenience to work abroad, firstly because it takes me away from the life I love and secondly because one is still expected to work full days even though you might have done 4 hours travel either side! So there has to be financial recompense, else why do it?

[CoolCat]

negotiate your rate for the office they want you to spend most of your time at.

make travel to any other sites, at their request, subject to additional expenses (T & M at cost)

key things to negotiate are i) class of travel, especially for long frequent journeys (you would soon get tired of going to New Zealand in economy, or on Eurostar everyday in Standard) and ii) standard of hotels, you dont want to be forced into the worst B & B in town

protect yourself from hotel rates going up at peak times (say a big event in town that week) by making them responsible for a certain class of hotel at whatever rate is going at the time, dont agree to a fixed day rate for hotels (unless its clearly so big that you will be covered in extreme)

[Boo]

...Most clients will have a travel and expenses policy...

Yes, and accepting their policy will put you firmly in the IR35 caught category.

MyCo has a standard contract which quotes three separate prices for work inside the UK, work outside the UK but inside the EU and work outside the EU. These terms apply to all out clients whether there is the potential for work abroad or not. The client's interests are protected by a term that requires them to request overseas working in writing before it begins.

This puts me outside IR35 in respect of overseas working, in so far as any contract term can do that...

Boo

[Lance]

Yes, and accepting their policy will put you firmly in the IR35 caught category.

bulltulip


EDIT: I'll qualify that somewhat.
1) If your client is willing to pay expenses but only within their policy then you can accept that or not. They're unlikely to change it for you.
2) SDC is not implied by accepting a client's expenses policy as one you'll accept.
3) Neither is MOO
4) nor ROS


EDIT2: called your advice 'bulltulip' instead of 'rubbish' to better reflect how wrong it is.