Advice on leaving

[northernladuk]

Give notice and have a miserable two weeks, or don't give notice and have a miserable ten weeks.

Or man up, see it through and look back at it as a tiny spec in a long contracting career.

[LondonManc]

But totally this as well. It sounds like the OP isn't aware of IR35 but it's clear D&C to the extreme. If he isn't part and parcel the client manager is trying to make him for sure.

OP, did you have your contract checked by a specialist? What do you know about IR35?

It won't matter - working practices have well and truly trumped it.

In addition, it sounds like OP isn't behaving much like a contractor so isn't getting treated like one.

[ChimpMaster]

Make sure you have your insurances in place, in case she tries to put something on you later.

Get your timesheets signed ASAP weekly.

Record any conversation where you think she might threaten or abuse you.

I've worked for abusive/power mad/mental women and men clients in the past and I've often battled through it (and outlasted them in many cases ) but I do wish I had stood up to them more often and fought back, if only for the satisfaction of showing them what a bad "boss" they are.

[barrydidit]

The boss is unpredictable, treats contractors like her staff and has even gone as far as insisting we don't leave desks when working from home on Fridays and rings in to check.

Why not just go in to the office and sack the WFH if it's more hassle than it's worth?

I read this as though the boss was WFH on Friday and the OP was being checked up on via phone. Not that it was very well expressed but hey...

[I just need to test it]

Treat me gently – i'm new!!

On third contract and really enjoyed my last two but this one is awful. The boss is unpredictable, treats contractors like her staff and has even gone as far as insisting we don't leave desks when working from home on Fridays and rings in to check. She's now banned medical appointments in the week during work time. The atmosphere is awful and it's now affecting my mental wellbeing as work is boring but the little we do is open to more scrutiny than when I worked at a daily newspaper.

I can't stand 10 more weeks here despite healthy day rate. She will flip if I give notice. I attempted to previously and she had mini-meltdown saying 'she'd built role around me' and 'will make my notice period hell if I leave'

I have 14 day notice as under 22 weeks but not sure how I handle this. Do I jump ship? Will my rep be in tatters? Would I work again? I'm quite a nervous person and big worrier and no other contractors on site to discuss with.

I don't take work for granted and would NEVER normally consider this kind of action but getting to me.

How would you guys handle this? Sage advice appreciated

Us worriers need to stick together

Sounds awful.

I'd take it a day at a time, start a thread on here with daily updates (changing a few names). It will serve as a release valve. Before you know it the time will have flown by and you will be marching out the door with your head held high.

Regardless of whether you stay or go your reputation is safe. It might not be with the woman you are at loggerheads with but let's face it, it doesn't sound like you are desperate to be knocking on her door for future opportunities. Agents have spectacularly short memories, so no worries on that count.

I have had three horror gigs since my first contract in 1998. I never dreamed I'd get through any of them yet I actually completed all three, then was offered extensions in each of them (who'd have thought it but I accepted two of the three). A year later I bumped into the PM from the one I declined and we shared a brief, awkward moment, but life goes on, and people swiftly forget.

[northernladuk]

Some decent advice from IJNTTI except for....

I'd take it a day at a time, start a thread on here with daily updates (changing a few names). It will serve as a release valve. Before you know it the time will have flown by and you will be marching out the door with your head held high..

Please god don't. We have enough with PC's ramblings and it does him no good in the long run.

Mumsnet is your place for this. They'll be lining up with cuddles and fluffy cotton wool for him... honest

[I just need to test it]

Heh, yeah, ok. I'll revise that.

How about just "keep a diary"?

[Cirrus]

Are we supposed to feel sorry for you?

. The boss is unpredictable, treats contractors like her staff and has even gone as far as insisting we don't leave desks when working from home on Fridays and rings in to check. She's now banned medical appointments in the working hours.

Your boss is 'unpredictable' (?). She checks you're working when WFH and she won't let you have medical appointments.

Is that it?

By all accounts Mother Teresa would make your boss look like a saint.

I've worked for people who are psychopathic. Schizophrenic. Bullying people until they cry. Where you have to work seven days a week without paid overtime.

You need to think carefully about your career as a contractor if you think everyone owes you a nice supporting friendly working environment.

[LondonManc]

Your boss is 'unpredictable' (?). She checks you're working when WFH and she won't let you have medical appointments.

Is that it?

By all accounts Mother Teresa would make your boss look like a saint.

I've worked for people who are psychopathic. Schizophrenic. Bullying people until they cry. Where you have to work seven days a week without paid overtime.

You need to think carefully about your career as a contractor if you think everyone owes you a nice supporting friendly working environment.

As a contractor?

[Eirikur]

Don't run immediately milk as much money out of them as you can. Put your CV out on the job boards. Hand in your notice when you got an offer. A 2 weeks wait is acceptable for 95% of all clients.
Oh and declare yourself inside of IR35 for this contract if you work through ltd, so set aside money for the taxman.