Reply to: Weekend work? Not in contract

[d000hg]

Whether or not you charge extra for working outside normal hours the key point is you don't start doing such work without agreeing it first. Go talk to the PM or whoever and tell them you're only contracted to work a normal week, do they WANT you outside that? Get at least an email trail agreeing this so they can't say "thanks but we never told you to come in".

[Wanderer]

Whatever.

WSS

[kingcook]

Ahhh, I've been caught by the permie speak police! I'm so ashamed.

Just have to phrase it slightly differently, I guess. The charge out rate is £X per day for a 5 day/37 hour week. If you require my company's services outside this time then the rate is £X + 50%, pro-rated to an hourly rate when less than a full day of services are provided.

Yeah, like 50% or something.

There.... that's better isn't it?!

[northernladuk]

Ahhh, I've been caught by the permie speak police! I'm so ashamed.

Just have to phrase it slightly differently, I guess. The charge out rate is £X per day for a 5 day/37 hour week. If you require my company's services outside this time then the rate is £X + 50%, pro-rated to an hourly rate when less than a full day of services are provided.



Yeah, like 50% or something.

Why **** about with 50%? You know what 50% of the day rate is so just give them a bleedin day rate. They use time and a half and 50% cause permies are on different money. It's £250 a day for weekday and £290 for weekend. Sounds a lot more professional. You are charging out at a cost not a percentage.

[SueEllen]

Just have to phrase it slightly differently, I guess. The charge out rate is £X per day for a 5 day/37 hour week. If you require my company's services outside this time then the rate is £X + 50%, pro-rated to an hourly rate when less than a full day of services are provided.

Whatever.

It's just a negotiating start point to make it clear to the manager that they have to pay for extra hours and you can't be treated like the permies, who they obviously treat poorly.

If the manager actually had any people skills they would have worked out with contractors:
1. If they wanted you to work longer when needed then you should be allowed to leave earlier or come in later when work on the project isn't so pressing.
2. Offered a rate for the weekend work when mentioning it was needed.

[Wanderer]

"Time and half" is very permie.

Ahhh, I've been caught by the permie speak police! I'm so ashamed.

Just have to phrase it slightly differently, I guess. The charge out rate is £X per day for a 5 day/37 hour week. If you require my company's services outside this time then the rate is £X + 50%, pro-rated to an hourly rate when less than a full day of services are provided.

I'd definately add some amount onto the day rate though

Yeah, like 50% or something.

[Software]

Even in my contract nothing was specified about Weekend work. But i am charging them a full day rate, even if i work for 1 hour. .

I am contracting for per day rate. But in your case you need to agree with the client about their flexibility. Discuss with client they will surely come up with some solution.

[slogger]

This is true, but you're going some funny looks saying something like, "I'll need to speak to my managing director about this"

lol - helps bein schizo :-)

[kingcook]

good point - however we shouldnt confuse who the business is here- its our ltd companies. its our company thats requesting extra money to put a consultant in over the weekends . not us as individuals :-)
the individual may not even get paid for that day - however at end of year/month whatever there may be extra profits for the shareholders to take

This is true, but you're going to get some funny looks saying something like, "I'll need to speak to my managing director about this"

[slogger]

SE's point is very valid, you are in business but that means that time and a half isn't the be all and end all. I personally hate that term and just slapping it on when someone mentions weekend is not being a business IMO, that is being a permie.

Consider your situation and what you are willing to do. I have done a number of different things in the past. At the beginning I was just happy to be billing an extra day just charged day rate, I have taken time in lieu which suited me perfectly at the time (make sure you have a very good relationship with your client manager though!!) and I have done it for £100 on the day rate. I have never just told him time and half though. All the other methods suited me at the time so I took them happily.

Remember money isn't the only incentive open to you and also your client has a different budgeting system for contractors to permies so may actually be a difficult option.

Look at your situation, see what suits you and your situation and negotiate.

good point - however we shouldnt confuse who the business is here- its our ltd companies. its our company thats requesting extra money to put a consultant in over the weekends . not us as individuals :-)
the individual may not even get paid for that day - however at end of year/month whatever there may be extra profits for the shareholders to take

[kingcook]

SE's point is very valid, you are in business but that means that time and a half isn't the be all and end all. I personally hate that term and just slapping it on when someone mentions weekend is not being a business IMO, that is being a permie.

Consider your situation and what you are willing to do. I have done a number of different things in the past. At the beginning I was just happy to be billing an extra day just charged day rate, I have taken time in lieu which suited me perfectly at the time (make sure you have a very good relationship with your client manager though!!) and I have done it for £100 on the day rate. I have never just told him time and half though. All the other methods suited me at the time so I took them happily.

WNLUKS.

"Time and half" is very permie. I'd definately add some amount onto the day rate though. (Yes, it's time for the tradesman analogy...) If you called out a plumber on a Sunday or bank holiday, he'd probably charge a premium.

I like to spend weekend with family, and if someone wants to take me away from that it has to be worth it.

[tractor]

..

I always agree same day rate, no premium or lieu time. Just make sure you take any accrued lieu time before the contract ends

No point in killing the goose etc.

[northernladuk]

SE's point is very valid, you are in business but that means that time and a half isn't the be all and end all. I personally hate that term and just slapping it on when someone mentions weekend is not being a business IMO, that is being a permie.

Consider your situation and what you are willing to do. I have done a number of different things in the past. At the beginning I was just happy to be billing an extra day just charged day rate, I have taken time in lieu which suited me perfectly at the time (make sure you have a very good relationship with your client manager though!!) and I have done it for £100 on the day rate. I have never just told him time and half though. All the other methods suited me at the time so I took them happily.

Remember money isn't the only incentive open to you and also your client has a different budgeting system for contractors to permies so may actually be a difficult option.

Look at your situation, see what suits you and your situation and negotiate.

[SueEllen]

You MUST arrange it in advance.

If the client wants you to work weekends then tell them you charge time and a half for extra hours / weekends and ask if they happy with that. If they agree then summarise you conversation in an email to the person who signs off your timesheets and you're good to go.

You could get the agency to do a contract variation to cover the weekend work or you could just make a deal with the client whereby you charge them for 1.5x the hours worked so that 8 hours worked is signed off as 12 hours at a weekend.

Whatever you do, make 100% sure that they understand what the deal is and confirm it all in writing. I would also get written confirmation of the exact number of extra hours/days to be worked.

WHS

If the client doesn't want to pay you AND the agency for the extra work they require then don't do the work regardless how much they hint.

The client doesn't do things for free and neither should you - remember you are both businesses.

[Wanderer]

Do I just invoice them for the extra hours? Do you expect more money on a weekend?

You MUST arrange it in advance.

If the client wants you to work weekends then tell them you charge time and a half for extra hours / weekends and ask if they happy with that. If they agree then summarise you conversation in an email to the person who signs off your timesheets and you're good to go.

You could get the agency to do a contract variation to cover the weekend work or you could just make a deal with the client whereby you charge them for 1.5x the hours worked so that 8 hours worked is signed off as 12 hours at a weekend.

Whatever you do, make 100% sure that they understand what the deal is and confirm it all in writing. I would also get written confirmation of the exact number of extra hours/days to be worked.