Reply to: Time off mid contract...

[Bluebird]

Fair enough. My RoS specifies a suitably qualified and experienced person. The only way you can be suitably experienced is to have been in the project for 3+ months, so in effect, there will never be a suitable substitute. Is that a genuine RoS? I'm sure plenty of people are in the same situation...

depends what your discipline is and what handover procedure you have docuemnted and in place.

mine was - if they ring sort it, if you can't sort it - ring me.

[Toasta]

Thanks for the replies guys, you have put any fears I had to rest, i'm going to phone the client tomorrow and let them know the score, then book my flights!

[Old Greg]

yes, a mate of mine filled in for a couple of weeks for me last year.

it wasn't a big deal, he was basically "on-call" if anything went really bad.

Fair enough. My RoS specifies a suitably qualified and experienced person. The only way you can be suitably experienced is to have been in the project for 3+ months, so in effect, there will never be a suitable substitute. Is that a genuine RoS? I'm sure plenty of people are in the same situation...

[Bluebird]

Out of interest, has anyone ever successfully exercised their right of substitution?

yes, a mate of mine filled in for a couple of weeks for me last year.

it wasn't a big deal, he was basically "on-call" if anything went really bad.

[Old Greg]

as you are OUTSIDE IR35 the client cannot dictate direction & control and you can come and go as you please, and of course if the cleints requests as per your IR35 clause you can supply a suitable substitute to cover the period of your absense.

Out of interest, has anyone ever successfully exercised their right of substitution?

[Zorba]

I usually book mine or at least earmark the weeks before signing any contract or extension - that way there isn't a choice really.

Oh, and make sure you don't fill the time off in on any 'holiday' sheet for the client...

[Bluebird]

Hi,

I'm just about to start my second contract on monday, its 6 months, and im all signed up. Now the problem is I have just been asked to be the best man at a mates wedding in early november abroad. What are my chances do you think of getting a week or so off mid contract, as I said this is my second contract so I'm not exactly sure what the protocol is with taking time off during a contract.

Any advice would be appreciated,

Thanks,

Toasta

as you are OUTSIDE IR35 the client cannot dictate direction & control and you can come and go as you please, and of course if the cleints requests as per your IR35 clause you can supply a suitable substitute to cover the period of your absense.

[kirk]

I'm on a 12 month gig; took a week out a few months ago to go to Dubai, got next week off to go to Ibiza. As long as you let client \ project manager know and there aren't any deadlines that will be missed I'm sure they'll be ok with it. Saves them an weeks invoice cost as well!

[Cooperinliverp00l]

I started Year contract in April and are having 3 weeks off (in one weeks time) for honeymoon.

It all depends on

1.Clents attitude
2.Length of contract
3.timescales for the project your on.

worst that can happen is they terminate you. If your mate has asked you to be best man that is a big honour and should be worth the risk.

Failing that get a contract with your mate that if you loose your job he will pay your daily rate until you back in work.

[Old Greg]

Yeah, of course I understand this.

So 1 week should be fine, would 2 weeks be pushing it?

You can try (especially if you give notice). 2 weeks out of 6 months does not seem unreasonable - they may not want to go for 2 consecutive weeks but they may be OK.

Put yourself in their position. Are you providing a day-to-day service (e.g. technical support)? If so, how will they cover for you? Alternatively, are you participating in a project to a deadline. In which case will your holiday impact on delivery times or any dependencies on your work? And have they planned likely holiday into their project plan?

[Sausage Surprise]

Yeah, of course I understand this.

So 1 week should be fine, would 2 weeks be pushing it?

I know a bloke who took 6. Most people take 2 though.

[dotnetter]

Depends on the length of the contract really, 3 months or less and 2 weeks would be pushing it, also depends on the clients deadlines and work schedule etc etc

[Toasta]

Nor me either. You do know you don't get paid leave though, right?

Yeah, of course I understand this.

So 1 week should be fine, would 2 weeks be pushing it?

[MrRobin]

Nor me either. You do know you don't get paid leave though, right?

[dotnetter]

Yeah Ive had a few holidays mid contract, I if you book a holiday up in Jan how you meant to know you will be in a contract June?