Reply to: Psychology of long contracts

[SlipTheJab]

But £10 an hour cleaning toilets to £25 an hour as toilet cleaning supervisor is hardly germane to the conversation.

I've seen MFs toilets, skid marks all around the rim, if I was Mr Arimitage Shanks I would be demanding my equity options back

[lecyclist]

Options + equity have since kicked in

How much toilet roll can a man use?

[NotAllThere]

...
Options + equity have since kicked in, and with additional grants at +1,+2 years, I now take home 2.5 x my contract takehome...

But £10 an hour cleaning toilets to £25 an hour as toilet cleaning supervisor is hardly germane to the conversation.

[MarillionFan]

Over 3.5 years at my current 'gig'. Started as a contractor, negotiating a decent 6 figure rate+, then turning to the darkside after a year or so & negotiating a straight swap (salary = contract rate + options + equity). So I moved to a 121 match in terms of paper salary, but would have lost out on divvy tax versus permie tax by 15/20%.

Options + equity have since kicked in, and with additional grants at +1,+2 years, I now take home 2.5 x my contract takehome.

I remember arguing with someone senior in the US at a 'do' about how I preferred contracting and I felt so much more in control of my destiny & how well I was doing. Why should I tie myself to 'equity' in these companies. He told me I was an idiot and didn't know what I was talking about. 3 years later, I realize he was right and I was wrong. There are levels above contracting & with the budget changes most of you will realize that.

[d000hg]

However it is polite to check you won't be leaving anyone in the lurch, and giving due warning, rather than issuing an edict about your availability to demonstrate how independent you are.

[northernladuk]

]Requesting holidays is very far away from explaining to the client that you won't be available as you are taking a holiday. My accountant tells me when he's away and usually explains why (holiday, training, secure hospital for the criminally insane...)

It seems that contractors fall into two camps. Those who frequently have moaning clients and those who's clients are happy with their work.

It is indeed. The point I was making was that there are plenty of contractors that do request holidays and the client approves/rejects these as he would a permie which could be part of the problem with clients perception of that contractor. Anyway, I've been duly served so I'll drop it now.

[NotAllThere]

...and start requesting holidays ...

]Requesting holidays is very far away from explaining to the client that you won't be available as you are taking a holiday. My accountant tells me when he's away and usually explains why (holiday, training, secure hospital for the criminally insane...)

It seems that contractors fall into two camps. Those who frequently have moaning clients and those who's clients are happy with their work.

[d000hg]

Absolute bollocks as usual. The first thing that strikes me is what idiot contractor that talks to his client in terms of holidays?

The kind who has a relationship with their client? "I'm going on holiday, I won't be available between X and Y".

[northernladuk]

Oh NLUK, you really do disappear up your own backside on occasion! Telling the client you won't be available for certain dates and mentioning that it's because you're having three weeks on your private island in the Bahamas, isn't an indicator of IR35.

However, like you, I take holidays (or not) as I choose and I've never had any complaints. I started contracting in 1996.

Indeed I do and you are quite correct but on a long gig it's even more important than normal to get the exact terminology and process correct and stick to it to avoid the slip in to P&P. You get too comfortable and start requesting holidays with the client then it becomes and IR35 issue. A small flag yes but many small flags will start creeping in the longer you are with the client. I think the actions of the contractor can make a client think he takes a lot of hols/money grabbing or the client doesn't care because you deliver. Bearing in mind PC's history and the problems he seems to have with agents/clients that no one else has I believe my comment, although badly put, has some credibility.

[NotAllThere]

...The first thing that strikes me is what idiot contractor that talks to his client in terms of holidays?...

Oh NLUK, you really do disappear up your own backside on occasion! Telling the client you won't be available for certain dates and mentioning that it's because you're having three weeks on your private island in the Bahamas, isn't an indicator of IR35.

However, like you, I take holidays (or not) as I choose and I've never had any complaints. I started contracting in 1996.

[LondonManc]

FTFY

Arguably braver than No2Politics. Some real keyboard warriors on here at the moment!

[aoxomoxoa]

I have taken to skipping anything NLUK says- fairly short posts with nothing new/interesting

FTFY

[psychocandy]

I have taken to skipping anything pc says- extremely long posts with nothing new/interesting

and who are you?

[No2politics]

I have taken to skipping anything pc says- extremely long posts with nothing new/interesting

[nomadd]

Yes we all know its not "holidays" and shouldnt be referred to with client as such.

When talking to the client, always use the phrase "working from home."