24th September 2011, 12:13 AM
Dinosaur Wrote:Judging by the fairly random amounts of time that people seem to take off when they've previously committed themselves to being out digging, I'd disagree with that, the likes of myself who have gone for the pension option with a strictly restricted number of days leave PA certainly can't get away with that! And when I was SE I did actually work when I wanted and not when I didn't (and was free to turn down jobs I couldn't be a**ed with, and on numerous occasions went and worked for other units with more interesting-looking sites), its just that the best way of getting paid tended to be being on site when it was open, an archaeologist was required, and when there were actually other people there to supervise, so it all tended to end up looking like a 9-5 40hr week. Being employed certainly puts a crimp in the amount of work I can get done/days when I can't be bothered to get out of bed
That would be fine, if that were still true of the company you work for - I know from experience, that if I worked hours outside of the basic hours set within the contract, without being given permission first, I would not be paid the amount I worked. I think it actually states that in the contract, which was non negotiable (which is fine, as I didn't have to sign it, or take the work), bit I'd have to dig it out to confirm that.
If people take time off when they have committed themselves to digging, it is usually for a good reason as when you do not get paid leave, taking it becomes very expensive.
Generally the company was great to work for, don't get me wrong, and I had a great time, with some good archaeology thrown in, but I do realise how thin the interpretation of self employment can be spread. For instance, ppe provided, tools provided (except personal tools), working times set, supervisor on site directing what jobs need doing, and where, Etc etc etc...... The only difference between that and regular employment was that I had to pay my own taxes (which I didn't mind at all, and was aware of that from the beginning).