Re: Off at a tangent - providing cover for absences
Personally ive always found my clients to be very understanding, I'm just a one man band. When my son was born all but one of my clients continued to pay me for the two weeks I was gone. They had no obligation to continue paying me but I was extremely grateful.
That said, I generally report straight to directors / CEOs. They tend to have a better understanding than most. I generally feel better looked after as a contractor than I ever did as a permanent employee.
The one client that didnt pay, I was reporting to a middle management schmuck that was more concerned about his targets than the wellbeing of another human being.
As a result, I rewarded the ones that took care of me and fucked off the one that didnt as I was able to see where I was valued.
The CEO got wind of this and Ive since returned to the one that I got rid of and I now report to the CEO. The schmuck was fired for jeopardising the business for the sake of £200.
I dont expect special treatment at all, but when I get it I give it back in spades.