Reply to: Easter furlough at ClientCo

[coolhandluke]

Some companies have summer furlongs.

I had one once

The problem with your Easter furlong is that Easter is early this year so it is probably going to be cold.

Not in Barbados

[Batcher]

Two ways to look at it ... Start networking hard for a start after the Easter break, if you get something that looks better than what you have, give notice and move on. If not, and you are harbouring a grudge then keep trying to go. Other than that enjoy your time off and keep billing after Easter - Welcome to Contracting

He can also look for a short term contract to cover those two weeks. If they don't need him then some other companies might and they can't stop him working.

I have a plan B that I work on during furloughs and between contracts so I would think along those lines too. Use the time constructively or else just enjoy the time off with your family

[SeededLoaf]

2 weeks! Just think thats £1000s lost

Well actually no, we shouldn't think like that. The deliverables aren't going to disappear so you'll get the money eventually.

[billybiro]

It's sometimes difficult to tell if people on this board are taking the p*ss.

Thankfully they pay well above market rate for the local area so I don't feel compelled to make any demands on the money side of things. I'd be pretty narked off if my current rate was broadly in line with market though.

I think he was serious, but if he wasn't being, I will be.

You may already be on a very good rate, but you're not going to ask for +10% at renewal because you want the money. It's to make a point to the client that two can play at the game of making arbitrary alterations to conditions when it suits them.

[billybiro]

And the problem is?

Client: "Here's a 6 month contract".
Contractor: "Thanks".
Client: "Ah. It's the 'wrong' time of year, so you're on a 6 month furlough."
Contractor: "Thanks. This contract of yours is proving highly valuable!"

[washed up contractor]

Two ways to look at it ... Start networking hard for a start after the Easter break, if you get something that looks better than what you have, give notice and move on. If not, and you are harbouring a grudge then keep trying to go. Other than that enjoy your time off and keep billing after Easter - Welcome to Contracting

Precisely.

[chicane]

That's almost exactly what it is. Tell them your rate is +10% at renewal.

It's sometimes difficult to tell if people on this board are taking the p*ss.

Thankfully they pay well above market rate for the local area so I don't feel compelled to make any demands on the money side of things. I'd be pretty narked off if my current rate was broadly in line with market though.

Welcome to Contracting

Thanks, but I've been doing this for just short of 11 years! There's no doubt that it's getting harder in recent years though, both in terms of the quality of competition and the amount of nonsense like this furlough business.

[ladymuck]

When I worked at Imperial College, they shut down over Easter but that was everyone not just contractors. They used the time for maintenance that couldn't be done with grubby students etc on site.

[kaiser78]

You should have seen the mess when the old man decided he wanted a stable income.

You're just horsing around with us now.

[northernladyuk]

I know that Cheltenham has furlongs, and they don't pony up...

You should have seen the mess when the old man decided he wanted a stable income.

[Scruff]

He is just a little hoarse.

I know that Cheltenham has furlongs, and they don't pony up...

[Stevie Wonder Boy]

And the problem is?

Two ways to look at it ... Start networking hard for a start after the Easter break, if you get something that looks better than what you have, give notice and move on. If not, and you are harbouring a grudge then keep trying to go. Other than that enjoy your time off and keep billing after Easter - Welcome to Contracting

[radish2008]

I was just looking to establish if the concept of an "Easter furlough" (or a furlough at any other non-Christmas time of year) was an emerging trend and something to watch out for. It feels a bit like it might be emerging as a more contemporary incarnation of the "take it or leave it" mid-contract rate cuts that were commonplace 7-8 years ago.

You can stand down now.

That's almost exactly what it is. Tell them your rate is +10% at renewal.

[radish2008]

Some companies have summer furlongs.

I had one once

The problem with your Easter furlong is that Easter is early this year so it is probably going to be cold.

Unless you're spending it in Vegas.

[washed up contractor]

I've just been notified that ClientCo intend to impose a 2 week Easter furlough on all contractors. I understand furloughs are common around Christmas, but this is new. It's a good thing they pay well for the local market.

Does anybody else have experience of non-Christmas furloughs?

And the problem is?