Contract hours - reality vs literal
Discussion
Sigh, Sounds like there are new managers in the finance department who have to "put their mark on things" Show the others who the boss is etc.
Two things can happen is a business like that imo. Allow flexability and it works both ways. Go down the strict route and eventually everyone works to rule and becomes jobsworths imo. Trust is a valuable comodity that can make or break a business.
Two things can happen is a business like that imo. Allow flexability and it works both ways. Go down the strict route and eventually everyone works to rule and becomes jobsworths imo. Trust is a valuable comodity that can make or break a business.
Can't you agree with your manager/timesheet signer that you will carry on working as is, but just book the standard required hours per day on the timesheet?
I've been contracting at a variety of clients for 20 years, either I've booked a day , or when needing to book hours I've just used the standard contracted hours / per day figure and booked that regardless of what I've actually worked.
Never been a problem, but then I've never had to worry about overtime etc.... which would make this a bit more complicated.
I've been contracting at a variety of clients for 20 years, either I've booked a day , or when needing to book hours I've just used the standard contracted hours / per day figure and booked that regardless of what I've actually worked.
Never been a problem, but then I've never had to worry about overtime etc.... which would make this a bit more complicated.
Sounds like chaos, but as someone who has managed contractors my view is this.
All the contractors I've ever employed have done whatever it takes to get the job done, and booked their normal hours. You are effectively a mercenary going to whoever pays you the day rate you want. At interview I make clear that 'the contract might be for 37 hrs a week, but there will be days when I need you to work late to help get the job done.
In return, I'm a reasonable bloke. I won't be up in arms at them going to the post office in the day quickly, or on a Friday when we can't progress changes due to restrictions them nipping off early.
Anyone who thinks contracting isn't like that - the finance team - will soon realise decent contractors won't be interested.
Flexibility is a two way street. I've always had a good rapport with contractors working for me, and treat them with the respect they deserve. They bring an immediate uplift in skills I need, and do what we want to do without a big discussion on whether they should or not. Good contractors are worth their weight in gold, for the sake of a bit of mutual flexibility, it isn't worth it.
All the contractors I've ever employed have done whatever it takes to get the job done, and booked their normal hours. You are effectively a mercenary going to whoever pays you the day rate you want. At interview I make clear that 'the contract might be for 37 hrs a week, but there will be days when I need you to work late to help get the job done.
In return, I'm a reasonable bloke. I won't be up in arms at them going to the post office in the day quickly, or on a Friday when we can't progress changes due to restrictions them nipping off early.
Anyone who thinks contracting isn't like that - the finance team - will soon realise decent contractors won't be interested.
Flexibility is a two way street. I've always had a good rapport with contractors working for me, and treat them with the respect they deserve. They bring an immediate uplift in skills I need, and do what we want to do without a big discussion on whether they should or not. Good contractors are worth their weight in gold, for the sake of a bit of mutual flexibility, it isn't worth it.
tsWell thanks for the support, all. Good to know there is some common sense here at least.
So I'm not confident a local agreement with my manager would really cover me in that case. I hate to mention the 'L' word, but in the worst case it could get legal.
As suggested, hateful as it sounds, and reminiscent of British Leyland in the '70s, I may have to consider "work to rule" as much as I resent it. This would cause a problem for my manager and his current project - which we are hoping to complete before Christmas. I get on with him extremely well. So I'm not sure what would be most sensible - highlight the problem by refusing to work (that would be a first for me, and I would probably struggle) keep working on goodwill and hope he negotiates us out of the predicament.
slow_poke said:
This isn't your fight, it's your managers' fight. Let them fight it out with Finance.
He and his various seniors have indeed "summoned" HR and Finance to a meeting since it affects so many. In the meantime just for example I stayed late fixing a major issue on Friday - I just added up the time - it was 11 hours without lunch.Piersman2 said:
Can't you agree with your manager/timesheet signer that you will carry on working as is, but just book the standard required hours per day on the timesheet?
This is what the previous arrangement was. Manager has been very supportive and accomodating about the whole thing. However new timesheet form introduced to enforce the change even has "start time" "lunch time" and "end time" on it! It's like being children!!! So I'm not confident a local agreement with my manager would really cover me in that case. I hate to mention the 'L' word, but in the worst case it could get legal.As suggested, hateful as it sounds, and reminiscent of British Leyland in the '70s, I may have to consider "work to rule" as much as I resent it. This would cause a problem for my manager and his current project - which we are hoping to complete before Christmas. I get on with him extremely well. So I'm not sure what would be most sensible - highlight the problem by refusing to work (that would be a first for me, and I would probably struggle) keep working on goodwill and hope he negotiates us out of the predicament.
I've worked as a sub-contractor for almost 2 years now with similar issues. If your managers are in agreement with you over the flexible hours each day to match business requirements, just lie to finance and get your timesheets signed off as a generic hours each day to make up the same total hours per week.
Failing that then as others have already said, screw it let the managers fight it out and you just focus on doing a good job while your at work.
Failing that then as others have already said, screw it let the managers fight it out and you just focus on doing a good job while your at work.
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