Reply to: Taking on an X month contract when you have holidays booked

[psychocandy]

Explain at the interview that you probably will want to take a couple of weeks in September because it's hard for your wife to get other time off work, but you'll discuss it when you have firmer plans in place.

They may well welcome the idea that you'll not have time away over the summer. If they are expecting you to work every day, every week, then find another gig.

Had a few 3 monthers where they have expected this. i.e. Any holidays booked aint interested in you. I had one where they said no days off at all. To be fair this was a 6 weeker for a specific time period so fair enough.

But for 12 months then I'd have thought they'd expect it.

[TheFaQQer]

Got the issue now. 12 month contract possibility.

Got a week hol booked in may but was also planning 2/3 weeks september (not booked yet). Leave in work for the mrs is a nightmare so usually its when she can have it.

Usually contracts I have are 3 months so 12 is new for me. I can understand how client would be keen not to have someone swan off for 2 weeks in a 3 month gig but surely if they want 12 months then they're gonna expect said contractor to take a few weeks off surely?

Anyone else done a 12 monther and experiences thereof?

Explain at the interview that you probably will want to take a couple of weeks in September because it's hard for your wife to get other time off work, but you'll discuss it when you have firmer plans in place.

They may well welcome the idea that you'll not have time away over the summer. If they are expecting you to work every day, every week, then find another gig.

[psychocandy]

Got the issue now. 12 month contract possibility.

Got a week hol booked in may but was also planning 2/3 weeks september (not booked yet). Leave in work for the mrs is a nightmare so usually its when she can have it.

Usually contracts I have are 3 months so 12 is new for me. I can understand how client would be keen not to have someone swan off for 2 weeks in a 3 month gig but surely if they want 12 months then they're gonna expect said contractor to take a few weeks off surely?

Anyone else done a 12 monther and experiences thereof?

[doodab]

I've never had a problem going on holiday, I just give the client reasonable notice and make sure it's not at go live or other times my absence might jeapordise anything.

[psychocandy]

At my first contract I told them on the first day that after the first two weeks I would be away for two weeks after my son was born, as arranged through the agent. They had no idea what I was talking about and the agent had lied through her teeth about discussing it with them. Luckily they did not mind enough to can me but I learned a lesson about trusting agents!

I guess agents thinking:-

"hmmm if I tell client and they don't like it then they might can the whole deal and I lose my commision".

"I dont give a rats arse about the contractor so I won't say anything. Not my problem once the guys on site"

[SueEllen]

It's a five month contract for f***sake. You aren't going off to month 2.

Say nothing until they offer you the role.

Your deadline for work is either the end of your contract, or a week or two before it.

[RetSet]

Yeh. Also make sure you get client to pay for your nuts to be sewn back on if they do go for it when your Mrs (if existing) lops them off when you tell her theres no holiday now! :-)

Setting Expectations?

Being A Real Man?

MTFU, FFS

[d000hg]

Do the interview and mention it once they offer it to you, when you're reviewing the contract. Unless they ask during the interview about such things of course.

People know other people take holidays.

[kevpuk]

Take the gig, then send in a sub

[MyUserName]

At my first contract I told them on the first day that after the first two weeks I would be away for two weeks after my son was born, as arranged through the agent. They had no idea what I was talking about and the agent had lied through her teeth about discussing it with them. Luckily they did not mind enough to can me but I learned a lesson about trusting agents!

[curtis]

I always pre book my hols each year sometimes they will fall in a contract sometimes they won't.

I never tell the agency if I speak to them and will always mention it at the interview at the end therefore if its an issue then the don't hire me if it isn't then they do.

I would never cancel my holiday this wins everytime over a contract.

[BigRed]

^WHS

One three month contract I did they said they would love to renew but couldn't get the budget signed off, I then offered to do a 1 week extension based on the 5 days I'd taken off in the 3 months.

[scooterscot]

Good grief, it's like amateur morning in here.

Add the two unpaid weeks to the end of the five months.

[psychocandy]

In 2 months time ? I know clients always big the job up at interview, a month later you are thinking, is that all you need me to do ?
If the hols was in the first month, then I would be very upfront. 2 months out I would probably let them know during the honeymoon first week.
I would under no circumstances offer to cancel and if they want to be total arses and go through the rounds of hiring someone else (who probably takes holidays too) then might be best if I don't work there.
HTH

Two approaches IMHO.

1. Tell them upfront before you start. This means theres no arguing about at the time then. Potential problem with this is they might get the idea in their head that they don't want you now so you lose the gig.

2. Unless they ask don't tell them. Then when you do start mention it to them that you're away. (Note, I would only do this if holiday was a few months away not like next week). Might be pissed off. If they get funny then decide what you want to do - i.e. cancel holiday, tell client tough and can the gig if needs be.

Work to live not live to work...

[psychocandy]

Tell them about the holiday, and offer to cancel it, if client is willing, subject to client covering the cost.

Client then magically finds the holiday isn't a problem.

Yeh. Also make sure you get client to pay for your nuts to be sewn back on if they do go for it when your Mrs (if existing) lops them off when you tell her theres no holiday now! :-)