Taking a day off

[checkerman]

Ok I know I'm being a bit pedantic about this but I didn't go in to work one day because of dreaded man flu. yes I know as a contractor you have to be on deaths door to take a day off!

Anyway I informed the client I wouldn't be in and also the contract stipulates I inform the agency. I did not inform the agency the reason why. I had emails and voicemails asking me to explain why I wasn't in from the agency.

They said because I work for them I have to give a reason. So this is where my bolshiness kicks in. I know out of courtesy I should and in fact I did tell the client, but am I really under obligation to say why?

I don't necessary have a problem with it, but there may be times where you may not to say why.

[WTFH]

Ok I know I'm being a bit pedantic about this but I didn't go in to work one day because of dreaded man flu. yes I know as a contractor you have to be on deaths door to take a day off!

Anyway I informed the client I wouldn't be in and also the contract stipulates I inform the agency. I did not inform the agency the reason why. I had emails and voicemails asking me to explain why I wasn't in from the agency.

They said because I work for them I have to give a reason. So this is where my bolshiness kicks in. I know out of courtesy I should and in fact I did tell the client, but am I really under obligation to say why?

I don't necessary have a problem with it, but there may be times where you may not to say why.

"Sorry, I was sick"

[simes]

Yeah.

cc-ing the agency seems not a great bind. If only to keep all parties happy and reduce noise.

[northernladuk]

Ok I know I'm being a bit pedantic about this but I didn't go in to work one day because of dreaded man flu. yes I know as a contractor you have to be on deaths door to take a day off!

If you take one day off at least make it 2 so people actually believe you aren't wagging it.

They said because I work for them I have to give a reason. So this is where my bolshiness kicks in

You are in a contract worth 10s, potentially 100k's of income. Can't you get over your bolshiness and tow the line for that type of income?? Seems a bit petty to me.

[vwdan]

I never bother informing the agency of anything - once I'm on site I deal directly with the client, as generally the agency don't care.

But, if they've kicked off - well, they're right, aren't they - the contract is between you and them. Hardly a big deal.

[original PM]

The sad thing it the agency only give a damn because they are loosing money on you (or not making as much money as they expected)

I used to be in industrial recruitment - where people would generally not turn up and not inform the agency or client - and then we would contact the 'temp' to see where they are.

However when you move to what you assume to be a more professional B2B relationship I would expect this attitude to change - and in fact unless client co have contacted your agency for comment then often they will not know/care....

My view is client co have contacted agency so you probably need to keep them in the loop - however I would also get alarm bells going off as seems that client co see you as a good little worker drone who should be at their desk monday to friday/nine to five....

[Lance]

pulling a sickie on a Monday?
Why is it always Monday sickie pullers that think they're being hard done by?

If your contract stipulates that you should inform the agency then what's your issue?
In any case, you're on here moaning about it so you're not that poorly.

[BlasterBates]

In fact it should be the agency who should be informed not necessarily the client. The agency would then inform the client.

Your contract is with the agency.

[ladymuck]

Contract notwithstanding, it's generally the working practices that drive who I inform. Most gigs have minimal agency contact once I'm in place so I don't bother keeping them informed of non-chargeable days. They just care my approved timesheet matches my invoice.

[Lance]

Contract notwithstanding, it's generally the working practices that drive who I inform. Most gigs have minimal agency contact once I'm in place so I don't bother keeping them informed of non-chargeable days. They just care my approved timesheet matches my invoice.

I too do this.

The fact that, in this case, the client informed the agency speaks volumes. Clients only talk to agencies when they want someone, or want rid of someone.