Reply to: Polite way of saying "no" to the client

[b0redom]

I decided, out of the goodness of my heart, to do the work on the weekend. Have done this a few times before in the interests of keeping client happy. Prob spent 1.5 hours on the weekend working on it, got in today and the PM said thanks, and to charge 1/2 day

Sweet - happy client and you got paid!

[b0redom]

does you contract say

"the suppliers representative will only work 7.5 hours per day." ?

or something similar which youhave interpreted as that ?

are you paid on an hourly rate or daily rate ?

if daily what is the definition of a professional day ?

Me? I'm on a day rate, where it specifically says additional hours are hours over 7.5 and chargable.

[PorkPie]

I decided, out of the goodness of my heart, to do the work on the weekend. Have done this a few times before in the interests of keeping client happy. Prob spent 1.5 hours on the weekend working on it, got in today and the PM said thanks, and to charge 1/2 day

[DS23]

Ok so this is the scenario shaping up for the weekend. Work to do, probably about 1/2 a day's worth, which I have been ready to do all day. For reasons out of my control, I won't be able to commence this until probably 4pm at the earliest. This needs to be done for Monday. Client expectation 1 is that I stay tonight to get it done. Not going to happen as I have something I need to be at. Expectation 2 is that I do it over the weekend.

For both (1) and (2) client will not expect me to charge, and will look on me unfavourably even though (as explained) I am unable to commence the work.

What would you do?

assuming the delay on friday was not my fault i would have started performing the tasks first thing thismorning. what did you do?

[Bluebird]

That's one of the reasons I like contracting. My contract says I am only allowed to work 7.5 hours a day. If you're doing overtime, you should be paid, or have a paid day off.... You're not a permie!

does you contract say

"the suppliers representative will only work 7.5 hours per day." ?

or something similar which youhave interpreted as that ?

are you paid on an hourly rate or daily rate ?

if daily what is the definition of a professional day ?

[NotAllThere]

The question is, are the circumstances over which you have no control your client's fault?

If not, do the work over the weekend.

[meridian]

What are the terms of your contract? Fixed rate for getting the job done, or daily/hourly bum-on-seat?

[scooterscot]

Ok so this is the scenario shaping up for the weekend. Work to do, probably about 1/2 a day's worth, which I have been ready to do all day. For reasons out of my control, I won't be able to commence this until probably 4pm at the earliest. This needs to be done for Monday. Client expectation 1 is that I stay tonight to get it done. Not going to happen as I have something I need to be at. Expectation 2 is that I do it over the weekend.

For both (1) and (2) client will not expect me to charge, and will look on me unfavourably even though (as explained) I am unable to commence the work.

What would you do?

I would make a choice an STICK with it. Worst thing is to come accross as weak, stick with your plans, you will earn your client's respect in the long run.

[Burrow01]

Ok so this is the scenario shaping up for the weekend. Work to do, probably about 1/2 a day's worth, which I have been ready to do all day. For reasons out of my control, I won't be able to commence this until probably 4pm at the earliest. This needs to be done for Monday. Client expectation 1 is that I stay tonight to get it done. Not going to happen as I have something I need to be at. Expectation 2 is that I do it over the weekend.

For both (1) and (2) client will not expect me to charge, and will look on me unfavourably even though (as explained) I am unable to commence the work.

What would you do?

a) What does your contract say you should do?
b) How important is it that you stay working there...

Pete

[King Cnvt]

I would look at the bigger picture as they say.

When I am doing work for a client I expect occasionally to need to do a little bit more than is truely written in our contract. I would also expect that of any other third party. B2B works like that.

If you have a potentially long term contract somewhere you enjoy, then get on with it. If you don't like it where you are then look for something else anyway.

If we have been working on a project which is going live then often I will work late into the night just before go live, for free - it is in my interests if it goes well - repeat business etc.

What he said.

[b0redom]

That's one of the reasons I like contracting. My contract says I am only allowed to work 7.5 hours a day. If you're doing overtime, you should be paid, or have a paid day off.... You're not a permie!

[Ruprect]

Everyone's getting soft. Work for free? Are you mad?

[Robwg]

I would just do it over the weekend - you say reasons you couldn't control - if I was hiring a firm to do something and they couldn't do it on a Friday (for whatever reason) and then said they could do it on a Sat but at double rate - I wouldn't be too happy.

I would just bill them for the Friday and do it over the Saturday/Sunday - seems fair enough. If they aren't going to pay you for the Friday - then I wouldn't be too keen on doing it - but may do if other factors (client relationship, long term contract etc.) came into play.

[dmini]

Oterwise - day off in exchange - (paid of course) - if that suits you
You arent a permie - so blackmail should not work!
I've managed that before - to my benefit

[Bear]

I would look at the bigger picture as they say.

When I am doing work for a client I expect occasionally to need to do a little bit more than is truely written in our contract. I would also expect that of any other third party. B2B works like that.

If you have a potentially long term contract somewhere you enjoy, then get on with it. If you don't like it where you are then look for something else anyway.

If we have been working on a project which is going live then often I will work late into the night just before go live, for free - it is in my interests if it goes well - repeat business etc.