Reply to: Holidays and clients

[speling bee]

Yes, yes very funny Im sure.

I'm

[psychocandy]

What do you do about pre-booked holidays when you're signing on?

Yes, yes very funny Im sure.

[Antman]

His brother'll do it (unless he's going to Disneyland too).

[speling bee]

Agreed. Exactly what I do. Best to get it up front than have an awkward situation where you tell them down the line.

Never tried the sub thing though. Most of the clients I work for may have a problem with that (yes I know IR35).

What do you do about pre-booked holidays when you're signing on?

[psychocandy]

Holiday, what's a holiday?

In all seriousness, if I know I have a holiday or some other family event coming up, then I inform my client as soon as it looks like we're going to agree to a contract.

No asking permission or any of that rubbish (I don't need their permission), just a friendly: "Sure, I'll be happy to take on a 3 month project starting in July, but I need to inform you that I'll be unavailable on these dates: xxx".

It's never been a problem for me. Its also a potential opportunity to line up a substitution and give yourself a pretty bulletproof IR35 defence..."I'll be unavailable on these dates but MyCo will arrange cover with Consultant Y if you require". The client will probably say not to bother but it can't help to ask.

Agreed. Exactly what I do. Best to get it up front than have an awkward situation where you tell them down the line.

Never tried the sub thing though. Most of the clients I work for may have a problem with that (yes I know IR35).

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Holiday, what's a holiday?

In all seriousness, if I know I have a holiday or some other family event coming up, then I inform my client as soon as it looks like we're going to agree to a contract.

No asking permission or any of that rubbish (I don't need their permission), just a friendly: "Sure, I'll be happy to take on a 3 month project starting in July, but I need to inform you that I'll be unavailable on these dates: xxx".

It's never been a problem for me. Its also a potential opportunity to line up a substitution and give yourself a pretty bulletproof IR35 defence..."I'll be unavailable on these dates but MyCo will arrange cover with Consultant Y if you require". The client will probably say not to bother but it can't help to ask.

[psychocandy]

I never tell the pimps when they ask me about planned leave. In most cases they will not put you forward if you have anything planned at all..
I do tell the end client during the interview, if they really want you they will just take you and take the one or two weeks off for granted.

Nor me - Im talking about after offer before start. Like I said even then, pimps sometimes forget to tell client presumably not wanting to risk souring the deal.

[tarbera]

Doooh!!!

Has anyone else noticed a worrying trend of clients asking if new contractors have holiday booked?

If your the PM you need to know if your resource you are hiring fits in with the master plan, no point haveing a UAT manager that is out 4 weeks during UAT testing for example !!!

[Eirikur]

I never tell the pimps when they ask me about planned leave. In most cases they will not put you forward if you have anything planned at all..
I do tell the end client during the interview, if they really want you they will just take you and take the one or two weeks off for granted.

[kaiser78]

I always make client aware at time of contract acceptance / renewal and get written confirmation from the agency, and never faced any problems with this.

[psychocandy]

It's hardly a new trend and it's a fair question so what's the problem? I got asked this on my first contract 9 years ago and got asked on the last time I got a contract.

First contract just 9 years ago NLUK - you are indeed just a small boy!

[SpontaneousOrder]

Ugh.. I failed miserably there didn't I

Not a worrying new trend, I hope.

[northernladuk]

I'm not sure NLUK is cut out for PC related sarcasm (See what I did there?).

Ugh.. I failed miserably there didn't I

[TheFaQQer]

I'm not sure NLUK is cut out for PC related sarcasm (See what I did there?).

Did you ask your accountant what they thought first?

[SpontaneousOrder]

whooosh

I'm not sure NLUK is cut out for PC related sarcasm (See what I did there?).