Mandatory security meeting request on behalf of client - advice please

[billybiro]

You do come out with some bollocks.

Says the man who presented the strawman of some irrelevant Health & Safety nonsense when we're talking about a security audit.

It's not a seminar, it's an audit and it will take 2 days to complete. Part of that will be a briefing.

An audit will encompass anyone on the project or account. Why do you think contractors are exempt from audits?

The pre-audit briefing is likely to either be i) some middle manager running scared who wants to rally the troops to ensure everyone has their stories straight or ii) some self-important auditor who wants to patronisingly drill home the importance compliance, governance and of such an audit. The follow up audit is likely to be nothing more than a Q&A session.

However, I'm not advocating blowing the client off completely and stubbornly refusing to have anything to do with the briefing or the subsequent audit, I'm suggesting that there's really no reason at all that both the briefing and the audit can't be accommodated within OP's current working arrangement of being WFH and only working for the client for a few hours a month.

Also, if OP goes on site just for this, what happens when the auditor says, "We're concerned with all aspects of security, including physical. Please show me around your day-to-day working environment/desk" ?

[northernladuk]

Says the man who presented the strawman of some irrelevant Health & Safety nonsense when we're talking about a security audit.

You are the one that mentioned cleaners attending H&S. I was responding to that comment.

Because they're not employees? Do the cleaners have to attend security and H&S meetings?

The pre-audit briefing is likely to either be i) some middle manager running scared who wants to rally the troops to ensure everyone has their stories straight or ii) some self-important auditor who wants to patronisingly drill home the importance compliance, governance and of such an audit. The follow up audit is likely to be nothing more than a Q&A session.

Jesus wept. So what if it is? What does that have anything to do with it?

[WordIsBond]

Says the man who presented the strawman of some irrelevant Health & Safety nonsense when we're talking about a security audit.

Note to self: When looking for a contractor to subcontract something out, always be sure to ask questions to find out if the guy understands that comparisons don't have to be identical to provide useful insight into a matter. If he doesn't get the concept, you've spared yourself the hassles of having contracted with an idiot.

I'm suggesting that there's really no reason at all that both the briefing and the audit can't be accommodated within OP's current working arrangement of being WFH and only working for the client for a few hours a month.

Note to self: When looking for a contractor, ask if he understands the difference between his job and security and if he understands that the security people will do their job in their way because they probably know more about it than he does, just as he will be expected to do his job in his way because he had better know more about it than the people we are working for. If he doesn't understand those things, you've spared yourself the hassles of, well, you know.

Also, if OP goes on site just for this, what happens when the auditor says, "We're concerned with all aspects of security, including physical. Please show me around your day-to-day working environment/desk" ?

Presumably, the OP says, 'I'm a contractor, not an employee, and I work off-site in my own home.' He might even be able to figure out how to say that without my help, but I'm here for you since you, based on your question, apparently couldn't handle it.

If he feels the auditor is a numpty, he might also say, 'My home is dangerous, too, I tripped over the cat while carrying a cup of coffee back in 2014 and burned my pinky.'

[billybiro]

You are the one that mentioned cleaners attending H&S. I was responding to that comment.






Jesus wept. So what if it is? What does that have anything to do with it?

Note to self: When looking for a contractor to subcontract something out, always be sure to ask questions to find out if the guy understands that comparisons don't have to be identical to provide useful insight into a matter. If he doesn't get the concept, you've spared yourself the hassles of having contracted with an idiot.


Note to self: When looking for a contractor, ask if he understands the difference between his job and security and if he understands that the security people will do their job in their way because they probably know more about it than he does, just as he will be expected to do his job in his way because he had better know more about it than the people we are working for. If he doesn't understand those things, you've spared yourself the hassles of, well, you know.


Presumably, the OP says, 'I'm a contractor, not an employee, and I work off-site in my own home.' He might even be able to figure out how to say that without my help, but I'm here for you since you, based on your question, apparently couldn't handle it.

If he feels the auditor is a numpty, he might also say, 'My home is dangerous, too, I tripped over the cat while carrying a cup of coffee back in 2014 and burned my pinky.'

ClientCo governance and compliance obligations do not automatically translate to ContractorCo obligations.

Or do you do everything the client demands of you simply because they demand it?

The subservient permie mindset is strong in this thread.

The real answer here of course is, like so many other answers, what does the OP's contract say? What obligations does the OP have as detailed within the contract? In the contract? OP is obligated. Not in the contract? No obligation.

[northernladuk]

.

Or do you do everything the client demands of you simply because they demand it?

The subservient permie mindset is strong in this thread.

And there it is. Took longer than I expected. What a complete tool.

The real answer here of course is, like so many other answers, what does the OP's contract say? What obligations does the OP have as detailed within the contract? In the contract? OP is obligated. Not in the contract? No obligation.

Utter rubbish. The answer is what is best for all parties weighing up the risk, effort and long term benefits.

Telling them you won't attend an audit because it's not in your contract will make you look like a moron and likely get you walked. Sitting on the bench thinking you won the argument is hardly smart.

[LondonManc]

Says the man who presented the strawman of some irrelevant Health & Safety nonsense when we're talking about a security audit.



The pre-audit briefing is likely to either be i) some middle manager running scared who wants to rally the troops to ensure everyone has their stories straight or ii) some self-important auditor who wants to patronisingly drill home the importance compliance, governance and of such an audit. The follow up audit is likely to be nothing more than a Q&A session.

However, I'm not advocating blowing the client off completely and stubbornly refusing to have anything to do with the briefing or the subsequent audit, I'm suggesting that there's really no reason at all that both the briefing and the audit can't be accommodated within OP's current working arrangement of being WFH and only working for the client for a few hours a month.

Also, if OP goes on site just for this, what happens when the auditor says, "We're concerned with all aspects of security, including physical. Please show me around your day-to-day working environment/desk" ?

So you've torched his strawman but posted nothing but a pure guess? Well done.

[Platypus]

My view: don't be difficult, don't make it hard for ClientCo to hire you or manage you.

[Scruff]

Use the opportunity to explore the town/city where the meeting will be held.

[jamesbrown]

Use the opportunity to explore the town/city where the meeting will be held.

What if it's Swindon?

[Scruff]

What if it's Swindon?

They sell Eye-Bleach at Tesco