Reply to: Holiday 2 weeks after contract start

[achilles]

I don't think this is a big issue. It is best not to say anything unless they specifically ask you about any holiday plans. If they do then you have to come clean. But even so, one week's holiday should not make a difference if the client likes you.

[dang65]

I remember starting one contract a couple of years ago and the very next week I had a ticket for the Led Zeppelin reunion, which was on a Monday. I had to walk in, shake hands with the project manager (who I'd only spoken with on the phone before that) and then take a deep breath and say, "I know this isn't good timing, but I really need to take next Monday off!" Putting it off wouldn't have helped. He looked a bit surprised but was understanding (I mean, talk about once-in-a-lifetime event).

Anyway, the real problem was that the next week after the concert my whole family, including me, got that norovirus thing that was going around. It was hideous, everyone throwing up and hardly able to crawl around the house. Of course, I had to go to work... it was still the first three weeks of the contract and they were expecting some action from me. I'm pretty sure I actually fell asleep during one meeting as I remember suddenly everyone was looking at me and I sort of said, "Yes, I believe that's the case," and they looked a bit confused and then carried on their conversation while I tried to shove matchsticks under my eyelids.

Of course, 'er indoors has never let me forget that I wouldn't take time off to look after her and the sick children, but was quite happy to take a day off to go and see some bloody pop group.

[Sausage Surprise]

Happened to me 2 weeks into a new contract with a "large telecomms company". Was never seen as a problem - I ended up there for nearly 2 years.

[the_rangdo]

Loving your work on that one.
Tell them at offer stage, not at interview, they want you by then and don't want the grief of more interviews. Could still go against you though.

I still go by the principle of mentioning nothing potentially negative at interview.

I've still got 2 months of the initial contract and they've offered an extension (paperwork being processed) so I guess they're not too cut up about it

[lukemg]

I told my agent when the offer was made so he could go back to them.

I also asked if the 2 weeks I was away could be added to the end of the contract, and they agreed

Loving your work on that one.
Tell them at offer stage, not at interview, they want you by then and don't want the grief of more interviews. Could still go against you though.

[the_rangdo]

I told my agent when the offer was made so he could go back to them.

I also asked if the 2 weeks I was away could be added to the end of the contract, and they agreed

[cojak]

I told this contract during the interview. This time they were fine about it, the last time it happened it was a deal breaker so I dropped the holiday.

It depends on how hard they push back and how much you need the holiday/contract.

[xchaotic]

If that helps, I recently informed one of my clients that I would be taking two weeks time off (which I actually have booked before the contract started) they were fine with it.
Due to scope creep (which I fought and explained etc) the product launch slipped ca two month to coincide with my time away.
I offered to a)limit the scope again and/or b)provide a substitute for my time away or to finish after I'm back, they didn't want a) or b).
When I was back from vacation, my contract was terminated on my first day in the office.
I was told my vacation had nothing to do with it, the unfinished product did, which on my end is a load of BS, isn't it?

[AnthonyQuinn]

Same Situation

I was in the same boat. Asked that I be allowed to stick to my prebooked plan of a 2 week holiday 3 weeks after start of contract. Client refused outright as that would be the time when the outgoing permie would need to transition to me. I was told that the holiday would be a deal breaker.

I must shamefully admit that I backed off. No point messing up a long contract on these issues in the current climate.

You could try after signing the contract.

[northernladuk]

Ahh well not an urgent project, middle of silly season for just a week will be no probs. I still say I wouldn't mention it unless required. From what I remember most of my agents asked me about holidays at offer time anyway.

[Belle]

You forget to mention if it is one week or two weeks.

Only one week holiday and the contract should be a long one 12+ months.

[northernladuk]

What, apart from the bit where he says, "a week", you mean?

Bah... I am such a failure and embarrassment to my family

[dang65]

You forget to mention if it is one week or two weeks.

What, apart from the bit where he says, "a week", you mean?

[dang65]

Pretty much everyone has at least a week off over the Summer. Most offices work on half staff over that time. I'd be amazed if they acted all shocked if you just mentioned during the "friendly bit" of an interview that you've "had a week's break booked for a while now and presume that's not going to be an issue?" And if they do say no to a pre-booked Summer holiday... do you really want to go and work there??

[northernladuk]

The process I would follow would be...

1) Cancel holiday if possible. 2 weeks after start date isn't good on any level. I wouldn't lose money over it though

2) Advise the agency when the job has been offered. At the moment you are going for interviews with no commitment from either side so is none of their business

3) When job offer comes through tell them. I would not sign a contract and say tough I have signed as they may just give me notice and get very crappy. It would be a very tough client that would bin you in the first two weeks, especially it is still in ramping time. Time has been spent discussing you, making choice, offering you role. They have to start again to offer the role to the second best person just for the sake of an early week. Not worth anyones time in my opinion.

You forget to mention if it is one week or two weeks. Holidays so early on are very bad form I believe, particularly if it is on urgent job etc so avoid if possible otherwise be honest. Clients and agents take hols as well so am sure they will understand to some greater or lesser extent.
They are also human beings so being screwed over by you signing the contract and then dropping this on them is not good form IMO.