Reply to: How to handle baby due in the middle of contract?

[sharper1]

Current client co were aiming for a start date 1 month before my son was due.

I didn't tell the agent until I'd been offered the contract.

Accepted, explaining I would need 2 weeks off around the due date. To be honest, if the client had withdrawn the offer I wouldn't have been surprised.

But they were fine about it.

The start date slipped by a week while they finalised the contract and budget, and then junior decided to arrive 2 weeks early.

They said not to worry, we'll put the contract start back another 2 weeks and you can start fresh.

My previous client was equally as amicable, it's nice to know they're not all monsters!

[jmo21]

Current client co were aiming for a start date 1 month before my son was due.

I didn't tell the agent until I'd been offered the contract.

Accepted, explaining I would need 2 weeks off around the due date. To be honest, if the client had withdrawn the offer I wouldn't have been surprised.

But they were fine about it.

The start date slipped by a week while they finalised the contract and budget, and then junior decided to arrive 2 weeks early.

They said not to worry, we'll put the contract start back another 2 weeks and you can start fresh.

[spongeym]

I've also got another little bundle of joy due in November. I've got a good enough relationship with the client to be fairly flexible about taking time off, so they won't mind me having a week off as long as I'm at least contactable.

I think in the Fathers case, as long as your not planning on taking 6 months off, they should understand that there might be the odd day here and there that you may be off during the contract, besides, if your not in, they are not paying you, so saving them a couple of quid won't hurt I'm sure.

[Wanderer]

Should I be upfront about the situation or keep quiet then hand my notice in as the due date approaches?

No, don't ditch a perfectly good contract! Just tell them that you are planning to take a few weeks off around the time of the birth and plan around it.

Hell, I took a 6 week holiday in the middle of a contract once. Came back and picked up where I left off, it was great because I knew I had a nice contract to come back to.

It's also worth having a stable contract when you have a young child around because you are going to have a few difficult nights and days.

[quackhandle]

Postpone the birth, until after the end of the contract.

My wee girl was ever so clever to wait for daddy to finish on the Friday and then she arrived on the Saturday night.

qh

[northernladuk]

What if the client had said sorry you cant have time off LOL?

Time off??

[thunderlizard]

Offer them a 2 month contract instead of a 3 month one, and say you won't be available for x weeks after that, but will be able to start another contract then. That is what I have done in similar circumstances.

[psychocandy]

I had a baby due 2 weeks into my first contract and I told the agenct all about it and asked her to ensure that I could have 2 weeks off for it. She spoke to the client and confirmed it was fine.

On my first day I emailed the manager and clarified the exact dates - he had no idea what I was talking about, the agent had not said anything to him. Luckily he did not mind enough to bin me!

I reckon in this case agent thought oh tulipe the clients not going to like this. I don't want to risk my commission so if it all kicks off when it comes to light I'll blame the contractor.

What if the client had said sorry you cant have time off LOL?

[MyUserName]

I had a baby due 2 weeks into my first contract and I told the agenct all about it and asked her to ensure that I could have 2 weeks off for it. She spoke to the client and confirmed it was fine.

On my first day I emailed the manager and clarified the exact dates - he had no idea what I was talking about, the agent had not said anything to him. Luckily he did not mind enough to bin me!

[kevpuk]

What about in a drawer - don't they do that in Finland or Norway or somewhere?

Ah, you will be referring to the 'cardboard box' in Finland....not to mention the leaving outside in sub-zero temps.
Actually, the cardboard box is Government supplied, along with a whole load of baby goodies, to all new Mums - nice thing, and the idea is that the box is a temporary crib when the baby is really small too, as it is prevents baby rolling off somewhere/getting stuck face down on a sofa and so on.

[MPwannadecentincome]

And don't put baby in a corner.

Nobody does that.

What about in a drawer - don't they do that in Finland or Norway or somewhere?

[Advocate]

And don't put baby in a corner.

Nobody does that.

^

This right here! Best thing I've read on the forum for at least a year!

Sent from my tweeting foot massager.

[TheFaQQer]

Just make sure you handle baby "with care" ;-) good luck!

And don't put baby in a corner.

Nobody does that.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Yep, should have mentioned I'm the father!

Good advice all, thanks.

Just make sure you handle baby "with care" ;-) good luck!

[psychocandy]

If they don't ask don't tell them. Also, don't even bother telling them unless its within the contract period.

Then, a month or so in advance, TELL them of your plans....

I had hassle recently with my client and their piss poor planning. Project slipped by months and they ended up having to shoehorn it in just before the birth. Then, apparently, I was the one that was awkward because I said I was unavailable for a week. In the end, I said, tough I told you about this, so not my problem.

Not as if I could change the date or anything.