slack time in a contract

[ft101]

Thanks for your insights everyone! I have a few ideas

[Ivor Bigun]

Hello peeps

Just wondering if people have come across this, and how you dealt with it. mid way through a contract and the work dries up due to waiting for other teams to deliver their bit, likely to be a week or so until needed full time again. Its a short term gig and every week counts funds wise.

Do you slow the pace down and make yourself busy, or take the time off?

cheers

Slow the pace and get paid for nowt. The people who pay you probably think you're busy anyway.
Gem up on new skills and wait.

[The Lone Gunman]

The danger there is they realise whilst you are away for a few weeks/months that you don't actually add any value to the project.

Good time to start an online business (plan b).

That is a risk of course. You could always start looking elsewhere while you are off.

[DimPrawn]

It may not be best financialy, but...
Write an email explaining that there is a delay beyond your control and you are therefore taking some time away from the project. Point out that you are saving ClientCo some money by doing so.
This should help if ever IR35 comes calling.

The danger there is they realise whilst you are away for a few weeks/months that you don't actually add any value to the project.

Good time to start an online business (plan b).

[The Lone Gunman]

Hello peeps

Just wondering if people have come across this, and how you dealt with it. mid way through a contract and the work dries up due to waiting for other teams to deliver their bit, likely to be a week or so until needed full time again. Its a short term gig and every week counts funds wise.

Do you slow the pace down and make yourself busy, or take the time off?

cheers

It may not be best financialy, but...
Write an email explaining that there is a delay beyond your control and you are therefore taking some time away from the project. Point out that you are saving ClientCo some money by doing so.
This should help if ever IR35 comes calling.

[BrilloPad]

what do you think most users on this forum do?

WHS

particularly tpd

though a warning - it will become addictive! Then you will post here even when you have lts to do......

[RichardCranium]

Do you slow the pace down and make yourself busy, or take the time off?

It's August. Does that help?

[Bagpuss]

what do you think most users on this forum do?

[swamp]

This is Golden Time.

For starters make sure you start late, finish early, and have a long lunch.

Then read through a technical book that's vaguely connected to some part of the project or other. Looks like you're doing work, which you are, but you can be learning valuable new skills for your next contract

[TheRefactornator]

mid way through a contract and the work dries up due to waiting for other teams to deliver their bit, likely to be a week or so until needed full time again.

Sounds very familiar - I'd say you were working where I am now, except I'm the only contractor they've got left so I guess not

I say stick with if it's short term and funds are needed. There must be something to do..analysis, design, documentation etc...there always is for me when this happens and it's happened often over the past 18 months. If the client decides you're not needed then they've made the decision for you to take a break.

[chris79]

Do you not have internet access on your desktop I take it?

[Spacecadet]

its a good time to catch up on documentation

or take any days off if the weather looks good

[ft101]

Hello peeps

Just wondering if people have come across this, and how you dealt with it. mid way through a contract and the work dries up due to waiting for other teams to deliver their bit, likely to be a week or so until needed full time again. Its a short term gig and every week counts funds wise.

Do you slow the pace down and make yourself busy, or take the time off?

cheers