Reply to: Actual Hours v Contracted Hours

[NickNick]

I couldn't agree more. Face-work is very important to many managers and clients, unfortunately.

In my first contract, I was helpfully advised by a clleague that as a contractor there on considerably more than the permies it would be politic to be the first in teh office each day and the last out. In that particular situation it stood me in good stead, getting extension after extension. Of course at the time I had no family and the gig was in Dublin, working away from home 4 nights a week. I would honestly say I wouldn't do that now, but then I wouldn't apply for those sorts of jobs now.

[shelby68]

I got burned on my first contract with the "professional day" my manager informed me they expected upto 10 hours before overtime would be paid, knowing no better I went along with it until I spoke to some of the other contractors on site and found out this was total B@llocks, still ended up doing it till the end of the contract and moving on. No one minds a bit of give and take but don't get taken for a ride either.

[Epiphone]

Normally we are expected to do just the 37.5 hrs but they can enforce the 45 hrs at critical times during the project - without extra payment.

Then you didn't negotiate very well at the outset.

[KathyWoolfe]

I would rather work smarter than longer which is why I try and avoid any time based commitment in the contract.

I would agree except I think that most, if not all, contracts would specify an amount of hours they expect you to work

[BrowneIssue]

Hi Guys,

& dogs & squirrels & apes & Giant Alien Lizards.

I am about to start my first contract on Monday!!

[Cheshire Cat]

Unfortunately whilst results are the only thing that should matter, I think you do get judged on effort as well, at least that's my experience.

I couldn't agree more. Face-work is very important to many managers and clients, unfortunately.

[VectraMan]

I would rather work smarter than longer which is why I try and avoid any time based commitment in the contract.

I agree completely. I guess it's just a case of having the confidence to do it, and I find myself wanting to fit in (even with the permies). With the Plan B work it's feels great to just be able to do the work without any constraints or expectations on hours.

[ratewhore]

Well, I guess the reality for a lot of people is different from mine. Effort is an interesting one. You can have a permie stretching out a 10 minute job to fill a day. The amount of effort put in is therefore based on perception.

I would rather work smarter than longer which is why I try and avoid any time based commitment in the contract.

[VectraMan]

I always take the view that the client can judge me on delivery. If I get the deliverable out on time then what else is there?

I agree that's how it ought to be. However with my client there's no "on time", it's generally "as much as possible as soon as possible".

Unfortunately whilst results are the only thing that should matter, I think you do get judged on effort as well, at least that's my experience.

[newbee]

Have started a gig this week, my contract reads the same 37.5hrs pw but I usually stick around bit more, shockingly the permie's do 9-10hr pd!

[ratewhore]

On my contract they expect a "professional working week" to be a minimum of 37.5 hrs at a minimum and 45 hrs at a maximum. Normally we are expected to do just the 37.5 hrs but they can enforce the 45 hrs at critical times during the project - without extra payment.
Over the 45 hrs our time is charged at the calculated hourly rate of £weekly pay/ 37.5.

Sounds like D & C to me...

[KathyWoolfe]

On my contract they expect a "professional working week" to be a minimum of 37.5 hrs at a minimum and 45 hrs at a maximum. Normally we are expected to do just the 37.5 hrs but they can enforce the 45 hrs at critical times during the project - without extra payment.
Over the 45 hrs our time is charged at the calculated hourly rate of £weekly pay/ 37.5.

[apb]

Are you sure you have to put down hours? I just write "5 days" on the bottom of my timesheet and get that signed.

I treat it like a full time job, and do roughly full time hours much the same as the permies. Technically I can do 5 minutes and charge for the full day, but that doesn't create a very good impression. OTOH if you're there pulling your weight and being part of the team by staying a bit extra as required and not demanding money for it, that creates a good impression and that leads to more work/extensions.

Not everybody sees it like that.

Not sure - Will found out on Monday when I get introduced to the online timesheet system. It may just ask for days - I just presumed it would probably be more granular and go down to hours. Thanks.

[ratewhore]

Are you sure you have to put down hours? I just write "5 days" on the bottom of my timesheet and get that signed.

I treat it like a full time job, and do roughly full time hours much the same as the permies. Technically I can do 5 minutes and charge for the full day, but that doesn't create a very good impression. OTOH if you're there pulling your weight and being part of the team by staying a bit extra as required and not demanding money for it, that creates a good impression and that leads to more work/extensions.

Not everybody sees it like that.

I always take the view that the client can judge me on delivery. If I get the deliverable out on time then what else is there?

[VectraMan]

Are you sure you have to put down hours? I just write "5 days" on the bottom of my timesheet and get that signed.

I treat it like a full time job, and do roughly full time hours much the same as the permies. Technically I can do 5 minutes and charge for the full day, but that doesn't create a very good impression. OTOH if you're there pulling your weight and being part of the team by staying a bit extra as required and not demanding money for it, that creates a good impression and that leads to more work/extensions.

Not everybody sees it like that.