Reply to: holiday during a contract

[Jaws]

I had the same problem a couple of years ago, got the offer and my desired rate so I told the agent at that point. Unfortunately they were due to put a release in over those weeks so I lost the contract. That said, the agent contacts me regularly now because he knows I can be successful at interviews (or I like to think so anyway).

[mrdonuts]

Before you attempt subtlety, you might want to try and grasp punctuation and grammar. You post like a Twelve-year-old.

i see celic got humped today

[lilelvis2000]

I take holidays now and then...oh no!!! You mean I shouldn't do that!!
Seriously though, I'm sure most clients understand that...but as other posters have said...it may affect their plans and it is perhaps something that should have been mentioned sooner.

[expat]

Isnt it the case that you will not be paid for the duration of the time you are on holiday ? If so, what is the problem?

The problem is that the client may have had plans for you to be present during that period, and may well see that presence as part of your side of the contract. Whether that is because he thinks of you as an employee who is required to be present unless his absence is authorised, or just because he requires the services of your company then, is irrelevant. He is very likely to see you as being in breach, and will act accordingly. Logic is unlikely to sway him.

If that and its consequences don't bother you, go ahead. At least you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you are right.

[fullyautomatix]

Isnt it the case that you will not be paid for the duration of the time you are on holiday ? If so, what is the problem?

[Ravello]

Busted

[Drewster]

Busted

[Ravello]

"almost infallible" presumably means "fallible" which (also presumably) means that you are suggesting that your original proposition was wrong.... which is strange for a pedant!

But you are right with the on-topic comment.

Personally I have never had an issue with time off during contracts.... I tell them about it when I "think it's right" and it seems to work itself out...

[Drewster]

See, it's almost infallible...

Getting back on topic.
Warn them up front or run the risk of termination for some made up reason when they find out.

"almost infallible" presumably means "fallible" which (also presumably) means that you are suggesting that your original proposition was wrong.... which is strange for a pedant!

But you are right with the on-topic comment.

Personally I have never had an issue with time off during contracts.... I tell the about it when I "think it's right" and it seems to work itself out...

[TykeMerc]

As you are a raving pedant I assume you meant "on the bum".

See, it's almost infallible...

Getting back on topic.
Warn them up front or run the risk of termination for some made up reason when they find out.

[expat]

Don't worry about this as not relevant to the posting. mrdonuts - tell client co you have time booked off before you start the contract, not once you have just started it - if client co feel you are the right porson to be offered the contract then they should be flexible enough to allow the two week break, especially if you have already booked somewhere to go as opposed to just having 2 weeks at home. But tell them UP FRONT.

I'd tell them (very politely, but definitely not ask them) before they commit to the contract, but after you are chosen. Not before being offered the contract: there is no need to reduce your value to them while you are still just a candidate. But at that stage (after you are offered it but before you sign it and start) they can still decide whether to take you on those terms, or not.

You must be clear to yourself what you will do if the answer is no. Is the contract more important than the time off, or vice versa? Most contractors' difficulty with pre-planned time off is that they don't want to face up to this question, so they seek a solution to the other question, how can I do the contract but make sure that I get the time off? The answer to that is that you can't.

Finally, the difficult response to your announcement would be "I can't tell you yet". That's when you have to decide who is ruling your time. If it's you, you say that you simply are not available at that time, and can only do the contract on those terms.

[kaiser78]

Originally Posted by mrdonuts
if you have a summer holiday booked for a spell during a shiny new contract, whats the best way to handle it


im thinking just start the contract then break it to them that im off for a couple of weeks holiday and could they just put the project on hold till then

or is their some other more subtle approach to be used

Before you attempt subtlety, you might want to try and grasp punctuation and grammar. You post like a Twelve-year-old.

Don't worry about this as not relevant to the posting. mrdonuts - tell client co you have time booked off before you start the contract, not once you have just started it - if client co feel you are the right porson to be offered the contract then they should be flexible enough to allow the two week break, especially if you have already booked somewhere to go as opposed to just having 2 weeks at home. But tell them UP FRONT.

[Drewster]

Indeedy, as a raving pedant that one bites me in the bum on a frequent basis.

As you are a raving pedant I assume you meant "on the bum".

[Scrag Meister]

I'm getting married at the end of June and taking 2 weeks off for honeymoon.

Am starting a new contract a week or so into May.

Here's hoping that things are smooth and settled by end of June.

[TykeMerc]

Muphry's law strikes again.

Indeedy, as a raving pedant that one bites me in the bum on a frequent basis.