Unreasonable (?) work demands

[UnaCorda]

I have two AIBUs (which is perhaps unreasonable in itself)...

1. AIBU to think that if you set a date by which you want something to be done you shouldn't start sending impatient-sounding reminders until after this date?

2. If you manage freelancers who you know work for several organisations (not a desk job), is it reasonable to expect tasks to be turned round in 24 hours when not an emergency? (Particularly when it takes you fucking ages to provide them with important information they've requested.)

YANBU to be annoyed with either situation, but YABU to think that the world isn't like that. Shouting about deadlines and wanting my work done now because it's life or death important is what many bosses seem to think work is about.

I have this problem as a freelancer. I have a few different clients and each one seems to think I only work for them.

I sympathise.

Do you provide progress updates? Some people need more information than others. They may be being asked for status updates by their management?

Reminds me of the Dilbert cartoon where he explains the only way to meet the crazy deadline is working every weekend and evening and the boss says great - and I’ll need a daily progress meeting about why you’re so far behind.

I am a bit puzzled about why a freelancer (I used to be one until IR35 changes exported our work) would worry about this stuff though. One of the attractions for me was not being so bothered by daft behaviour of clients - as long as I got paid.

My favourite comment on daft requests was from a fellow freelancer once - I opined that something we were both being asked to do was a total waste of the clients time and money - he just said “the meter’s running”

For 1) I think it is reasonable to check progress before a due date. Depending on how it is worded, perhaps it could be misconstrued as an impatient sounding reminder.

Regarding 2) no I would not expect a task to be turned around in 24 hours as a default.

1. This used to drive me insane. My stock answer was “The less you distract me, the sooner you’ll get it” with a reminder of the deadline.

2. As a one off I’d suck it up. If it was ongoing I’d make it clear that work has to be planned and prioritised and short notice is only acceptable in a dire emergency.

You have my utmost sympathy.

One reminder is sensible for some things, more than one not. Many 'emergencies' in a work context are the result of lack of planning.

1) AIBU to think that if you set a date by which you want something to be done you shouldn't start sending impatient-sounding reminders until after this date?

Impatient sounding reminders, no. But I do think clients like to have an update and assurances that things are going well so it's useful if you proactively send them an email half way through to let them know it's all going okay etc etc. Because otherwise they're going to be surprised and unprepared if the deadline isn't made.

2) If you manage freelancers who you know work for several organisations (not a desk job), is it reasonable to expect tasks to be turned round in 24 hours when not an emergency? (Particularly when it takes you fucking ages to provide them with important information they've requested.)

No. But this is something that should be agreed as part of the initial conversations. I have clients who need this type of response, and they pay for it accordingly. Others understand that in most cases, things take longer because they're not paying for instant responses.

@contrmary

YANBU to be annoyed with either situation, but YABU to think that the world isn't like that. Shouting about deadlines and wanting my work done now because it's life or death important is what many bosses seem to think work is about.

Fair point!

The first example was a case of a manager wanting to cross a ten-minute job off her to-do list, but her ten-minute job was reliant on my having done a 3-hour job - which I hadn't previously been asked to do until suddenly it was super-important and urgent.

@ChazsBrilliantAttitude

Do you provide progress updates? Some people need more information than others. They may be being asked for status updates by their management?

This isn't relevant in my line of work. I deliver a service to clients who are not the same people who are managing me. It's not project-based.

1) AIBU to think that if you set a date by which you want something to be done you shouldn't start sending impatient-sounding reminders until after this date?
They shouldn't need to send reminders after the date it is due. The task should have been done by then.
Do they send reminders because experience tells them the task won't be done on time?

2) If you manage freelancers who you know work for several organisations (not a desk job), is it reasonable to expect tasks to be turned round in 24 hours when not an emergency? (Particularly when it takes you fucking ages to provide them with important information they've requested.)
No-one on MN can judge this because you haven't provide enough information.
How long do the tasks take usually?
How long is "fucking ages"?

They are the client, if you’re not happy they can get another freelancer. Remember you’re fully dispensable.

1. Sending a friendly reminder is a standard. Depends what you see as 'impatient'. If its something along the lines of 'Is it done yet?' then YANBU. If it is more along the lines of 'Hi, just checking in to see if we're on track for X?' then YABU.

2. Depends on a task and depends on a deadline. But yes, 24h turnaround for small non-priority tasks would be ok.

YANBU - we have a manager at work that sets deadlines but then brings it up several times a week in every meeting to remind everyone - so annoying

For No 1 - after the deadline could be too late

"I can confirm I'm still in timescale to complete by the date agreed"

Repeat ad infinitum

Could you add an item on the bill for progress reports or "emergency work" or "24 hours turnaround requested". To be honest I don't mind what I do - provided I am being paid for it!

They are the client, if you’re not happy they can get another freelancer. Remember you’re fully dispensable

This!

I get truly irritated by it. I work with fast turnaround times. I have to send each job off for transcription before I can complete it. I ask for timed deadlines for each job I do. If I get a day, not a time, I assume 10am. I don't like getting reminders the afternoon before.

I do send reminders myself, usually asking for ETA at the time I specified wanting return. I set that return with about 4 hours grace, as I usually have 2 hours worth of work to do to complete it. If it appears on time, no reminders. But they are all regularly a little late, hence the small grace period!

”I can confirm I'm still in timescale to complete by the date agreed"

Eh - what does that mean?>does it say that you will compete on time or just that you still within the timescale when it isn’t yet overdue?

When give. A long stop delivery date, do you tend to deliver only on that date or before?

@Pumpkinnose

They are the client, if you’re not happy they can get another freelancer. Remember you’re fully dispensable.

1) No always, if you have experience/expertise at a level others don't. 2) Sometimes it's the client that's dispensable to the freelancer.

*Not always

@CatteStreet - that’s a brave approach to take in this economic climate

1. It would be very unprofessional NOT to check progress and wait until after the deadline to wake up about it once the deadline has pass.

So either the client set you a deadline giving them plenty of leeway to deal with your lateness, or they chase. Sometimes they cannot afford to give an early deadline to fit theirs.

2. You don't need to be a freelancer to realise that pretty much every client think they are your only client, or should be your priority.