Reply to: Anyone else asked to stay back an 1hr or per day??

[some guy some where]

Pick a convenient day for you and get them to stay back to help you...see how long you can make them until they break...extra points if you make it past 11pm

[lorakeen]

3 months into 12 month (inside ir35)contract, prev worked abroad for 5 years, but due to personal reasons I need to be in the U.K. for the next few years.

1st month of the gig was fine (minus the obvious inside changes), but for the last 2 months, pretty much everyday, I’ve been asked daily by the person I’m reporting to at 3 or 4pm to ‘help out’ or ‘can you get this done for me by end of play?’.

Usually I’m done at 5, but for the past 2 months been finishing at 6 or 7pm, everyday, except a few fridays here & there. Spoke to a couple of other contractors (who’ve been there longer) they tell me it’s the ‘new norm’ & they’ve also stayed on late to finish things. Contract has my hours set at 37.5 (on a daily rate), but I’m doing around 45 or more, without comp for the additional hours.

Anyone else experiencing this? Is this really the new norm?

if you're on a daily rate, just say no. If you're on an hourly rate, ask if this is approved overtime and bill for it

[PerfectStorm]

There's a special place in hell for contractors (and, to be frank, permies) who drag each other down through presenteeism. Don't become part of it.

[hairymouse]

Seems strange to me that the manager can come up with so many little tasks that could hold you up for an hour or two. Each day? That must require some planning on his part and a manager that is really micromanaging every task, and not just for one contractor but several. Sounds exhausting.

[jumbotron]

I don't think it's normal at all and it's not been expected any place I've worked. If I was asked (or more likely, quietly having the expectation placed on me) I would say no. There are plenty of other contracts out there, I don't need to walk away, but I know I can assert what I believe to be fair.

If you are remote how would anyone know/say anything anyway? If anyone asks about your hours you can ask them whether there's an issue with the amount of work you've done or your productivity and have the conversation about that.

[lecyclist]

You mentioned the other contractors in the same situation. If you have a good relationship with either, check if they have negotiated special terms to compensate (or if they disappear early on a friday for example). It's quite likely they won't tell you though if the agreement was confidential.

If this is the new normal, and you think the manager is unlikely to offer special terms to you individually, you need to look for another job.

[Antman]

Or just offer to start later.

[virtualm]

There's two sides to this, but to me it sounds as if your client relationship is not good and they are playing you. They are trying to show their authority or just completely disorganised and catching up at your expense. Who in their right mind asks somebody last minute to work late without pay / or an arrangement to finish early on another day. It will be a thankless task and you'll never get credit for it. If it were me, my answer straight up would be NO, I have personal commitments so unable to work O/T FOC.

But, also IF the relationship with client is good, then yes I'd do it (I have done in the past many times), but straight up tell them I'm finishing early on another day. And they will thank you for it.

[SussexSeagull]

Most contractors I have worked with broadly speaking do the hours expected. I once had a contract when a slight pain in the arse was doing 12 hour days while the rest of us were struggling to fill a normal working day. He got a one month extension at the end and I went off and did another contract with a two week break.

Really not worth it (with short term exceptions).

[ladymuck]

When I worked big distance contracts in IT. It was pretty much a given to arrive mid-morning (10-11 am local time) and depart early mid afternoon on Friday (1-3pm local time) and claw back the hours during the week by staying a little later.

On one particular contract years ago people were expected by management to start very early (<8am) and stay until very late (>9pm) I refused.

Those sorts of hours seem to be quite often in the sticky end of financial services, investment banks and the like. In my brief time in retail banking I never worked beyond 5pm and was mentally switched off by 4pm (some would argue I was never switched on...)

[NotAllThere]

Management are often trying it on. If you say no, they grumble a bit, but then forget about it. The mugs work the extra hours. Like permies.

[courtg9000]

When I worked big distance contracts in IT. It was pretty much a given to arrive mid-morning (10-11 am local time) and depart early mid afternoon on Friday (1-3pm local time) and claw back the hours during the week by staying a little later.

On one particular contract years ago people were expected by management to start very early (<8am) and stay until very late (>9pm) I refused.

[Paralytic]

The issue you have is that you've made it your new norm, by doing this for the last couple of months. You either need to accept it, or make it clear it cannot continue, that you are contracted a certain number of hours.

Only you can decide which is best for you; depending on your criticality to the client, the second could see you managed out of the door.

[Lance]

either say 'no I can't.'
or do it but clock off early on Friday.
I've met many contractors who do the latter and the client might grumble but they never get rid of anyone for that.

For me, it's down to a professional working day. That is not a fixed number of hours, but it has to be equitable however it's done.

If it's a project go-live then extra hours are expected and usual, but for those cases plan in advance and work out with the client how you'll be remunerated for them.

[eek]

Tell em that you are counting the extra hours they are asking you to do.

Either they allow you declare the overtime on your timesheet (1 day extra per week), or you expect four paid days off at the end of the month.

The OP is on a day rate, how do you bill for a day you don't work when the manager signs your time sheet?

Once again, you've posted the worst possible advice..