How to deal with discrimination as a contractor

[unixman]

Hi OP, you ascribe these awful experiences to "sexism" but that might not be the case. I am a man and have had some terrible work experiences at the hands of male colleagues and bosses. Such as being picked on, treated egregiously or not in accordance with the contract, shouted at, bullied, harassed until I get chest pains, denied rightful payment or even forced out. In these situations it is tempting to label your tormentor as sexist, ageist, anti-semitic or whatever, perhaps as a method of revenge of possible legal action. It might be the right thing to do on some occasions, but not all. So careful consideration is needed. Act in your own interests and seek what will advance you personally.

With your current lamentable situation, my only advice would be to look for something better. Not great advice, but it always worked for me. The economic climate right now is a contractors' market, which means nobody has to take any nonsense.

[luimneach2005]

Hi OP, you ascribe these awful experiences to "sexism" but that might not be the case. I am a man and have had some terrible work experiences at the hands of male colleagues and bosses. Such as being picked on, treated egregiously or not in accordance with the contract, shouted at, bullied, harassed until I get chest pains, denied rightful payment or even forced out. In these situations it is tempting to label your tormentor as sexist, ageist, anti-semitic or whatever, perhaps as a method of revenge of possible legal action. It might be the right thing to do on some occasions, but not all. So careful consideration is needed. Act in your own interests and seek what will advance you personally.

With your current lamentable situation, my only advice would be to look for something better. Not great advice, but it always worked for me. The economic climate right now is a contractors' market, which means nobody has to take any nonsense.

Thanks Unixman - already on the case. And I agree, I spent most of my career ignoring things as just people being dicks. Now I tend to do little tests to check my suspicions on sexism, racism, other ism's. Only when I've done these do I label it. And god it's more common than we recognise without careful observation.

[luimneach2005]

When I read threads like this, I like to look back and see what other threads the OP has started, it helps fill in the blanks in the story.

Assuming you mean how I've posted about two situations that I've found myself in with recent contracts? I'm not sure what you mean by blanks? If you're inferring I tend to revert to sexism as an easy way out you need to know that in my last place it wasn't just me - it was several other females too, all of whom have left some after trying union action. Very difficult with established senior men. You should also know I shun all female events as I firmly believe in integration not segregation. None of that means I should allow myself to be bullied, not paid or treated differently.

[TheFaQQer]

Now its all very well to say walk - but I am losing income because of this. I lost a lot in my last gig (6 figures) and would be similar here if I walked.

Either you're on a whacking day rate, or you're not going to find a contract in ages if you're going to lose over £100k by walking from a contract!

I'd have thought that a renowned specialist guru would have no trouble finding work, so it must be the former.

Gizza fiver?

[psychocandy]

OP certainly sounds like some nobbbish behaviour but I'd agree with others. Is it because you're a woman or just because the client is a dick?

Some clients just don't get the WFH thing and are well opposed to it. Sounds like yours is.

As for that day when they told you to stay home but be available for calls. Sod that. Either they let you WFH or they don't.

If I'm ill and they won't let me WFH then dont phone me. But don't expect to have your cake and eat it. i.e. being available for free.

[MrMarkyMark]

Gizza fiver?

Looks like she would be good for it

At four figures a day

[pr1]

My last contract my male peers were allowed one day every week to work from home. I was not allowed to do so, and on one occasion when I worked a 13 hour day from home to get information ready for the CDO I had my timesheet marked down. When I queried it I was told "I don't care what your contract says". So I left.

Why? It is charged a single professional day.

So you meant "a day" - specifying the number of hours implies you were paid hourly

And if you weren't "allowed" to work from home, why did you (and try to invoice for it?)

Good luck with your battle, I doubt you'll be able to prove anything or claim anything with regards to a business to business contract, but gender discrimination should certainly be a thing of the distant past in 2015

[TheFaQQer]

What makes you think that this discrimination is to do with your gender rather than your disability?

It could be that with you being somewhat disabled, they want to know that you are able to do the work, which requires you to be on site.

[luimneach2005]

Either you're on a whacking day rate, or you're not going to find a contract in ages if you're going to lose over £100k by walking from a contract!

I'd have thought that a renowned specialist guru would have no trouble finding work, so it must be the former.

Gizza fiver?

There is other work out there - but I do prefer to see my contracts through to the end or expected outcome

[luimneach2005]

What makes you think that this discrimination is to do with your gender rather than your disability?

It could be that with you being somewhat disabled, they want to know that you are able to do the work, which requires you to be on site.

I'm not sure why you think I'm disabled or indeed why that should be an issue for a knowledge worker - again there are supposed laws regards this sort of thing. Indeed many years ago when I broke my back my client at the time had no issue in me attending in my wheelchair. Didn't affect my brain, hearing or speech.