Reply to: Day Rate + Work hour expectations

[MrMarkyMark]

Cool. I'm of the opinion that the idea itself is worthless, so do provide further information if you have something specific in mind.

Where you based?

We have the chance of the work, the issue is, arranging the "in" on the PSL, we are exploring a couple of options at the moment.
Obviously, in banking these opportunties change in a heartbeat, due to budgetry constraints, so we will have to see.

Based in London.

[fool]

There is a big difference in doing extra hours generally and putting in the extra mile to deliver.
Its very difficult to be generalistic when the arrangements that people have in place to earn their crust are very different.

I work in IB and my hours vary from 7.5 to 8 hours a day. I tend to start early and finish early, everyone that works with me knows this and works around it.
There have been a couple of occasions where I have had to put in extra time, however this was just in the final week of a previous project.
I don't call this being a doormat, I call it being professional.





Thinking of something similar myself, but more around the managed service model.

Cool. I'm of the opinion that the idea itself is worthless, so do provide further information if you have something specific in mind.

Where you based?

[MrMarkyMark]

It funny how much IR35 is discussed with concern over distancing from being overpaid permies in disguise.
Ironic that this is exactly what most of you are.

There is a big difference in doing extra hours generally and putting in the extra mile to deliver.
Its very difficult to be generalistic when the arrangements that people have in place to earn their crust are very different.

I work in IB and my hours vary from 7.5 to 8 hours a day. I tend to start early and finish early, everyone that works with me knows this and works around it.
There have been a couple of occasions where I have had to put in extra time, however this was just in the final week of a previous project.
I don't call this being a doormat, I call it being professional.

Somewhat.

I intend to play the sysadmin as a service role and aim at a niche under what a half decent permie costs. You go in, do the work, leave with a support contract.

Eventually one should be able to taper off contracts, but the clients I'm working for now are way too big to achieve this.

Thinking of something similar myself, but more around the managed service model.

[fool]

Where to?
It would have to be a change of direction entirely then?

Somewhat.

I intend to play the sysadmin as a service role and aim at a niche under what a half decent permie costs. You go in, do the work, leave with a support contract.

Eventually one should be able to taper off contracts, but the clients I'm working for now are way too big to achieve this.

[MrMarkyMark]

I'm hoping to transition away from contracting in the next couple of years because I think this situation is silly. I'd rather just deliver end results than be paid for face time.

Where to?
It would have to be a change of direction entirely then?

[LondonManc]

As do I, actually but I also leave early for various reasons.

The point was, however, that those doing 8-9 hours generally and over 10 where needed are kinda screwing us all over. The professional working day for the majority of the country is 7.5 hours. When you move from that to being in just a bit earlier and leaving just a bit later, then you're moving away from value and playing necessary office politics at times.

I'm hoping to transition away from contracting in the next couple of years because I think this situation is silly. I'd rather just deliver end results than be paid for face time.

Then again, I actually like going home to my other half. I suspect many doing 12 hours a day either don't have a family life or don't much like what they do have. Screw them.

FTFY

[fool]

Sometimes (frequently) working extra hours is because it's a good day.

I'm a contractor, not a clock watcher.

As do I, actually but I also leave early for various reasons.

The point was, however, that those doing 8-9 hours generally and over 10 where needed are kinda screwing us all over. The professional working day for the majority of the country is 7.5 hours. When you move from that to being in just a bit earlier and leaving just a bit later, then you're moving away from value and recording time.

I'm hoping to transition away from contracting in the next couple of years because I think this situation is silly. I'd rather just deliver end results than be paid for face time.

Then again, I actually like going home to my other half. I suspect many doing 12 hours a day either don't have a family life or don't much like what they do have. Screw them.

[LucidDementia]

I think the key here is simple; deliver value whilst not getting butt-raped.

That way everyone wins, surely.

[LucidDementia]

Yeah, you tell 'em.

Better still, report them all to the local tax office.

I came off a little harsh there.

Good luck to all and sundry with it, it just amuses me.

[SpontaneousOrder]

I generally work less than contracted (or implied) hours. I try not to make it noticeable thaough. The reality is that unless there are loads of meetings then I'm spent after around 5 hours anyway. Some people do the same in a full day. I just tend to work better in fast spurts.

As long as I keep getting extended I know I'm on the right track.

[SussexSeagull]

At the end of the day it is all about give and take and it varies from contract to contract. For me the default position is to do your normal hours unless you encounter something exceptional.

Whatever you do don't go down the road of doing ten hour days just because everyone else seems to be regardless of how much work is on.

Be flexible but don't sell your soul.

[nomadd]

It funny how much IR35 is discussed with concern over distancing from being overpaid permies in disguise.

Ironic that this is exactly what most of you are.

Yeah, you tell 'em.

Better still, report them all to the local tax office.

[LucidDementia]

With that approach, you've made a lot of folks rich in your career.

I don't use your approach, and have only made one person rich.

See if you can figure out who that is?

In my experience folk who call themselves rich really aren't.

It funny how much IR35 is discussed with concern over distancing from being overpaid permies in disguise.
Ironic that this is exactly what most of you are.

[nomadd]

..and if that means doing 12 hour days for 10 days in a row, that's what I'll do. And I normally get appropriately thanked for it.

With that approach, you've made a lot of folks rich in your career.

I don't use your approach, and have only made one person rich.

See if you can figure out who that is?

[vwdan]

I take the attitude of "I'm paid to deliver". Most of the time I can deliver based on an 8-9 hour day. Sometimes that goes over 10 hours at times of higher pressure. If it hits 12 hours then I'll make sure the client/agent is aware and we sort out a deal on it. If I'm staying in a hotel and have nothing better to do, then I don't mind as much.
Most clients are flexible on that one. e.g. "you worked 10 hour days Tues-Thurs, so go home at lunch on Friday and bill us for a full day."

Yep, pretty much this.