Travel Time

[iguy2008]

Hi

So clientco has decided to throw out all its contractors and go with SI's only from July 1st. I'm one of the "lucky" ones with an extension until end of October.

Today, the project sponsor suggests the SI team and I go to Asia for a week (16 hours door to door each way) to meet with the support team whom will support the system when our project goes live.

Enquiring a little further I'm told that all travel will be

(a) Economy.
(b) At weekends on my own time.
(c) At my own expense to reimburse from the company.
(d) No travel time or TOIL
(e) Long days in Asia where they do the Asia day and spill over into european time.

There is nothing in my contract re foreign travel and no chance of a renewal in November.

So, I'm looking for advice on whether to suck it up or say sorry but this is not reasonable and push for 2 days invoicing.

Thanks - iguy.

[NotAllThere]

If everyone is going economy, then you might live with that if you are paid:
1. 8 hours of every day (or part thereof) away from home, but not working
2. hourly for every work day (I'm assuming you're on an hourly contract, not Professional Working Day).

That'd be my minimum position. The project sponsor is not just being unreasonable, he's being an idiotic unreasonable arse.

[iguy2008]

If everyone is going economy, then you might live with that if you are paid:
1. 8 hours of every day (or part thereof) away from home, but not working
2. hourly for every work day (I'm assuming you're on an hourly contract, not Professional Working Day).

That'd be my minimum position. The project sponsor is not just being unreasonable, he's being an idiotic unreasonable arse.

Thanks NotallThere. Im on a daily rate.

[northernladuk]

There is no right or wrong answer here. Its down to your attitude and what you want.

I've had to do long haul a number of times with clients. Mostly paid travelling but occasionally on my own time. Wasn't really fussed. The chance to go to Asia far outweighs a bit of travel and long days. I'd have enquired in to being paid for the weekends and suggested I'm on their time if I'm in the air or not. If I got a strong rebuff then so be it. I'd go anyway.

A couple of long days in a foreign country isn't a problem. I'd still have the chance to enjoy the culture so bit of a bonus.

But that's just me. If you are a 9 to 5'er and a day travelling is such a deal breaker then just say no and be prepared to join your ex colleagues on the bench.

[MrButton]

I’d want to be paid something for 32 hours travelling. Maybe ask for a day or 2 of your rate.

That’s not far off a weeks worth of hours.

That being said if I was single with no kids I’d probably just do it.

[meridian]

Hi

So clientco has decided to throw out all its contractors and go with SI's only from July 1st. I'm one of the "lucky" ones with an extension until end of October.

Today, the project sponsor suggests the SI team and I go to Asia for a week (16 hours door to door each way) to meet with the support team whom will support the system when our project goes live.

Enquiring a little further I'm told that all travel will be

(a) Economy.
(b) At weekends on my own time.
(c) At my own expense to reimburse from the company.
(d) No travel time or TOIL
(e) Long days in Asia where they do the Asia day and spill over into european time.

There is nothing in my contract re foreign travel and no chance of a renewal in November.

So, I'm looking for advice on whether to suck it up or say sorry but this is not reasonable and push for 2 days invoicing.

Thanks - iguy.

I suspect we’re with the same Clientco....

Short haul maybe suck it up. But flying halfway around the world for a handover to the support team? 2 days invoicing is the least they can do.

[BR14]

If everyone is going economy, then you might live with that if you are paid:
1. 8 hours of every day (or part thereof) away from home, but not working
2. hourly for every work day (I'm assuming you're on an hourly contract, not Professional Working Day).

That'd be my minimum position. The project sponsor is not just being unreasonable, he's being an idiotic unreasonable arse.

i hate myself, but have to agree with basel brush here.
in fact, i'd just tell them to shove it up their corporate arse.

[NotAllThere]

i hate myself, but have to agree with basel brush here.
in fact, i'd just tell them to shove it up their corporate arse.

Boom! Boom!

[ladymuck]

Me being me, I'd get ClientCo to cover economy and then travel in first. I would not travel that distance without charging for it.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I’d politely tell them to stick it. I’d walk if they continue to be unreasonable. Your time is valuable - just as much out of hours of you have family. They are taking liberties expecting your time for free.