Reply to: New working address

[kingcook]

Fook-a-doodle-doooooo

I spoke to client. I proposed WFH for 2 days a week. He needs to speak to his bosses.

In the meantime, he's happy for me to include that extra 1 hour travel time as part of my 7.5 hr working day

[SueEllen]

Its strange to me that a client would accept someone who would have to commute so far. It's obvious he isnt going to be giving the same quality of work as someone local or a reasonable distance away.

It's none of the client's business how far you have to commute.

And to be honest if you were a client using contractors regularly you would expect those with a long commute to stay nearby during the working week.

I cant say I hope your chat makes things better. I hope you quit and find something a lot closer, as I think that will the best outcome for all concerned.

That's the most sensible option in this case. Even with a 3 hour train journey I would be knackered.

[escapeUK]

I don't mind the "trying" part, it's the "trying and failing" part that scares me.

Anyway, i've decided to speak to client about it. Contact is in the office later today or tomorrow. Will grab him when i see him.

Its strange to me that a client would accept someone who would have to commute so far. It's obvious he isnt going to be giving the same quality of work as someone local or a reasonable distance away.

I cant say I hope your chat makes things better. I hope you quit and find something a lot closer, as I think that will the best outcome for all concerned.

[eek]

BTW People should be aware that even if people in the office say they can't speak your (foreign) language there will be someone who understands enough to know what you are saying on the phone.

I learnt that mistake after a waiter in a 5 star Istanbul hotel insulted another table of Brits in German. Although they did deserve it the waiter had an awful lot of explaining to do after we paid our bill.

[SueEllen]

I see your point but I couldn't do it. I'd be knackered when I got home and morose/resentful in the morning... with young kids you'd barely see them and I'd end up fighting with the wife... but then we're all different.

I wouldn't do it either and neither would the other contractors in my family.

I was just giving the only reason I could think of for doing it after hearing a few contractors argue down the phone about working hours etc.

BTW People should be aware that even if people in the office say they can't speak your (foreign) language there will be someone who understands enough to know what you are saying on the phone.

Right I need to work on my Hungarian eavesdropping skills.......

[kingcook]

As others have said, instead of getting all bent out of shape straight away, explain the situation and try and get compressed hours, WFH, and/or stay over at least 1 night a week.

I don't mind the "trying" part, it's the "trying and failing" part that scares me.

Anyway, i've decided to speak to client about it. Contact is in the office later today or tomorrow. Will grab him when i see him.

[Wanderer]

Address A journey time, each way, each day = 2h40m
Address B journey time, each way, each day = 3h10m

That sort of commute isn't going to be sustainable.

The only solution is to talk to the client about it. Do a couple of nights away with long days and then a couple of days WFH.

[kingcook]

I see your point but I couldn't do it. I'd be knackered when I got home and morose/resentful in the morning... with young kids you'd barely see them and I'd end up fighting with the wife... but then we're all different.

My choice at the mo is doing a big commute, or pushing trolleys at Tesco

[jmo21]

I couldn't be bothered with the 2hr 40min each way, never mind the 3 hr 10.

I've also been pretty lucky so far in that I've never needed to travel more than 1hr each way for a contract - which is my current one.

As others have said, instead of getting all bent out of shape straight away, explain the situation and try and get compressed hours, WFH, and/or stay over at least 1 night a week.

[GillsMan]

I'm with Doohg on this - I'd definitely be a ratty miserable bastard with that amount of commuting.

But as to your problem, open lines of communication are the key here, I suspect they aren't going to be happy to learn that you're billing for hours you're not actually working for them.

[d000hg]

Some people's partners don't like them staying away.

If money is short, you have a partner like that and have children then you have to do the commute otherwise you risk losing your children.

I see your point but I couldn't do it. I'd be knackered when I got home and morose/resentful in the morning... with young kids you'd barely see them and I'd end up fighting with the wife... but then we're all different.

[kingcook]

Another way of looking at this. The partner and kids could end up loosing the mother/father as a result of dying from stress, death during driving whilst tired, etc.

Personally, staying away from home for a few days a week is better than being 6 foot under.

I like coming home in the evening. I tried staying away from home in the last contract and didn't like it.

I have a partner and kid. It's hard not seeing the kid during the week (except when he gets kept up late occasionally, and he's knackered, and a PITA to get to bed!), but the money is good and i keep telling myself it's only temporary!!

BTW i travel by train, so get a couple of hours a day to spend on plan B.

[kingcook]

A change of details is hardly breach of contract. Stuff changes, it happens. You can't go accusing them of being in breach over something like this. Even if you do put it to them like that they say 'yeah and'.. what are you going to do about it? Sue them?
Dont get me wrong it's a pain in the ass, especially on top of those times already!

What is taking the piss IMO is travelling on work time without telling the client.

Are you via an agent? If so mention it to them and negotiate, maybe they will pay you for the time, maybe they can offer you some working from home time or put you in an office closer.

Look for a solution first before getting upset. It could even work out better for you, more money, WFH or something. Raise it with you agent/client and give them an option to fix it before accusing them of breach. If you are in with an agent remember you contract is with the agent not the client etc etc...

Talk to people and find out exactly where you stand rather than just throwing the teddy out of the cot.

Yeah, what the hell, it's only a change of details. And when they want to lower my daily rate, or maybe they want me to come in at weekends for free... it's only details

Yes you're right in saying that it's talking the piss travelling in work time (without tell them), but so is moving office and expecting me to spend an extra hour of my own time travelling (on an already big commute).

What i wanted advice on was how to approach the situation. Sure i want to speak to them, arrange WFH would be ideal, but there's always the "yeah and..." comeback to anticipate. I need to see the contract out to get the money coming in for the warchest (got plan B after that, which pays 5h1te at first, hopefully not for too long though).

I mentioned it to the agent a couple of days ago, his reponse was, "have a word with the client, or i can if you want to". Judging by the tone of his voice , he doesn't want to rock the boat and possibly lose his commision.

I have asked for WFH before, and i got "WFH is not in your terms and conditions". Maybe now i have a bit of bargaining power?

[pmeswani]

Some people's partners don't like them staying away.

If money is short, you have a partner like that and have children then you have to do the commute otherwise you risk losing your children.

Another way of looking at this. The partner and kids could end up loosing the mother/father as a result of dying from stress, death during driving whilst tired, etc.

Personally, staying away from home for a few days a week is better than being 6 foot under.

[SueEllen]

Mental.

Some people's partners don't like them staying away.

If money is short, you have a partner like that and have children then you have to do the commute otherwise you risk losing your children.