Thoughts on 'not cost effective to have you in next week'

[d000hg]

You can push for some work to do I guess. Otherwise spend a week learning something new or go on an impromptu last-minute holiday deal?

It is totally normal, if uncommon, for a client to do this provided your contract allows it. Most clients don't seem to be aware they can do this so in a way it says they better understand contractors than is typical!

[psychocandy]

Some guys rent a pad for the duration of a contract, I have done long term block-hotel bookings in the past, plus you might have had a holiday organised for the official end of the contract.

Have had this. Rented a flat for a week cos client wanted me to work night shifts (better to sleep during day than hotel). Sorted out with owner to check in 9am after first night shift, leave before start of last night shift etc.

Day before - "we've decided we don't need nights now". Client couldnt see what they'd done wrong. Their attitude, tough we pay you enough to tell you what we need from you. You just turn up.

Worse still was the guy who showed up for nights at 8 pm and they'd left a mesage with security to tell him thanks but please go home. **** that.

[EternalOptimist]

This is just as bad as the other thread where the contractor wanted to terminate early to go for a juicier contract. Except this time its the client doing the jerking

Some guys rent a pad for the duration of a contract, I have done long term block-hotel bookings in the past, plus you might have had a holiday organised for the official end of the contract.

Imo they have busted the deal, start looking asap but dont bother telling them you would have appreciated more warning, where is that going to get you ?
Switch into 'fck em and screw em mode' until you can bail

[cojak]

Email them saying you will be back in 3 weeks. Go on holiday.

Oh - I like it! (I'd only go on 2, but that's just preference...)

[lukemg]

Email them saying you will be back in 3 weeks. Go on holiday.

WHS - Tenerife is nice this time of year...

[expat]

I've come in to work this morning to an email from my client.

Basically he has said it is not cost effective to have me in next week as UAT is down, and wants me to not come in. He has said he will add the days on to the end of the contract if this suits.

This is my first contract so not sure what the do's and dont's are? Would you be happy with this? My concern is, what if UAT isnt back up for 2-3 weeks.

Just after some thoughts really before I respond to his email

Email them saying you will be back in 3 weeks. Go on holiday.

[cojak]

Sounds like a no brainer for the contract being outside IR35

BIG +1 - such is the contractor's life.

[wubbledoos]

Like you say, the lack of notice or even an indication that he was thinking along these lines is poor.

I'm concerned that if UAT isn't back up they'll just cancel the contract, it is due to end in April.

I'll take the advice and just say it's not ideal and I would have appreciated more notice but OK.

[Mich the Tester]

Explain that it's fair enough but you need to keep the pipeline full so flexibility has to work both ways. Then find another short term flexible gig and come in 5 days in 10 for the next two months.

Good points: Its a lovely IR35 pointer that you aren't an disguised employee. Great if you contract through a limited company not so good if you use an umbrella.

Bad points: That's the nature of contracting. The lack of notice would be my only annoyance here.

As for your question. Ask them?

I agree; it's part of the game. Clientco pays a premium for your flexibility. BUT; be careful, experience tells me that when test environments are down for a week it quickly becomes two weeks, so agree, but with a one week limit or agreement on adding days to the contract.

[psychocandy]

Good points: Its a lovely IR35 pointer that you aren't an disguised employee. Great if you contract through a limited company not so good if you use an umbrella.

Bad points: That's the nature of contracting. The lack of notice would be my only annoyance here.

As for your question. Ask them?

Yeh annoying though with such short notice. Imagine if there was something important going on and you told them on friday afternoon that you'd be off next week so it couldnt happen. Would not be popular.

Again the xmas thing that some clients do. Penny pinching getting contractors to take time off over xmas.

I had this once. Had a huge project on the go for mid-Jan and it was way behind. I was willing to come in over xmas for a few days to get things going (the permies were there office open etc). Got a call from the 'resource manager' who was the guy who sorted the contracts (he was in another office in another country so wasnt directly involved) asking me to please take 2 weeks off over xmas. I explained why it would be a bad idea- not having any of it. So I had the two weeks off.

You can guess what happened. 1st week of Jan, PM realises its miles behind, asks me to 'push things along and do the necessary'. i.e. work longer hours in my professional day for free. Like hell....

[eek]

Good points: Its a lovely IR35 pointer that you aren't an disguised employee. Great if you contract through a limited company not so good if you use an umbrella.

Bad points: That's the nature of contracting. The lack of notice would be my only annoyance here.

As for your question. Ask them?

[doodab]

Explain that it's fair enough but you need to keep the pipeline full so flexibility has to work both ways. Then find another short term flexible gig and come in 5 days in 10 for the next two months.

[OwlHoot]

Sounds like a no brainer for the contract being outside IR35

[wubbledoos]

I've come in to work this morning to an email from my client.

Basically he has said it is not cost effective to have me in next week as UAT is down, and wants me to not come in. He has said he will add the days on to the end of the contract if this suits.

This is my first contract so not sure what the do's and dont's are? Would you be happy with this? My concern is, what if UAT isnt back up for 2-3 weeks.

Just after some thoughts really before I respond to his email