Instant Dismissal Today

[MaryPoppins]

Does anybody know if this is really the case? How will this affect my next gov contract, if at all?

I should point out, that the doc they found in my drawer was incorrectly marked by someone else when it was actually supposed to be 'Unclassified'. Not sure if this makes a difference...

Not sure my comments are worth anything, and don't mean to sound harsh.

Unfort, knowing the way the security procedures etc work within govt, they were well within their rights to ask you to leave immediately based on what they will see as a security breach. HR/warnings etc don't need to be involved for a contractor - that's the whole point. We're easy to get rid of, and rightly so in my opinion. It's the nature of the game.

As for the notice period, I would say the agency probably won't be required to pay you this given the circumstances.

Sorry to hear about this situation for you though, not nice at all. Hope all works out for you.

[Peter Loew]

The principle idea behind security vetting is to see if you can be trusted with things they would prefer the public not to see...

You may also have issues if you opt for a non gov contract next but end client asks for a reference. I would recommend that you try to find someone in that knows the quality of your work in your last role and ask if they would mind being contacted for a refrence.


PZZ

I see. Yes, I have been working in gov most of my career and have always been very mindful of security. One mistake and this is what happens. If you only knew what the doc is you would probably laugh.

As for refs, I have already had 2 (ex)colleagues offer their services here so I think I'll be fine for refs. My agency said they will be happy to give a standard ref as all they heard was praise for my work as a PM.

[MaryPoppins]

I see. Yes, I have been working in gov most of my career and have always been very mindful of security. One mistake and this is what happens. If you only knew what the doc is you would probably laugh.

As for refs, I have already had 2 (ex)colleagues offer their services here so I think I'll be fine for refs. My agency said they will be happy to give a standard ref as all they heard was praise for my work as a PM.

Was about to say, you only need give agency contact details for references, not the client...

[Peter Loew]

Sorry to hear about this situation for you though, not nice at all. Hope all works out for you.

Thanks to you and to others who have replied for the encouraging words.

I fully understand and accept that this is a reality which has happened.

However, in a strange way I also feel liberated. The contract was an hour's drive each way and the funny thing is I was thinking of looking around again anyway but no way did I expect or want it to end like this.

I kinda feel like I've been run over by a truck. The ironic thing is that I was also involved in my first car accident on the weekend (was able to walk away thankfully).

[pzz76077]

Thanks to you and to others who have replied for the encouraging words.

I fully understand and accept that this is a reality which has happened.

However, in a strange way I also feel liberated. The contract was an hour's drive each way and the funny thing is I was thinking of looking around again anyway but no way did I expect or want it to end like this.

I kinda feel like I've been run over by a truck. The ironic thing is that I was also involved in my first car accident on the weekend (was able to walk away thankfully).

They say every cloud has a silver lining. All the best.


PZZ

[MaryPoppins]

Thanks to you and to others who have replied for the encouraging words.

I fully understand and accept that this is a reality which has happened.

However, in a strange way I also feel liberated. The contract was an hour's drive each way and the funny thing is I was thinking of looking around again anyway but no way did I expect or want it to end like this.

I kinda feel like I've been run over by a truck. The ironic thing is that I was also involved in my first car accident on the weekend (was able to walk away thankfully).

Sounds like fate to me! Or it would if I believed in all that gubbins. Good luck!!

[RichardCranium]

today my client has terminated my contract on the grounds that I left a protectively marked document (it's a gov contract) in my drawer at work and did not lock it.

Quite right too, and so they should. The rules were re-issued earlier this year and are quite clear. Summary dismissal for contractors and a record on your personnel file for staff.

Suffice it to say everyone at the Client Co is shocked and appalled

They shouldn't be. They should know the rules too.

nor do I believe this kind of treatment is warranted

I disagree. I am sick of hearing about security breaches; the civil service gets the blame but it is usually 3rd parties. Like you.

The person who handled this threatened that if anyone should ask why I left Client Co he would not hesitate to tell them that I do not take security seriously, which felt a bit like a threat to me.

It's not a threat, they are telling you not to use them as a reference.

Moreover, my agency said that because it was an instant dismissal, they will not pay me for the 4 weeks (as on the contract I have a 4 week notice period).

Quite right too. Contract termination for a blatant breach of trust.

should the agency pay me for the 4 weeks notice and is there anything I can do as this dismissal did not even involve HR?

You've been summarily dismissed for a security breach and you want paid? From taxpayer's money, presumably. You should be ashamed of yourself; behaviour like this gives contractors a bad name.

Does anybody know if this is really the case? How will this affect my next gov contract, if at all?

You may well lose your clearance. It may be for a LONG time.

I should point out, that the doc they found in my drawer was incorrectly marked by someone else when it was actually supposed to be 'Unclassified'. Not sure if this makes a difference...

None. The author of a document chooses its classification, nobody else.

I see. Yes, I have been working in gov most of my career and have always been very mindful of security.

Evidently not.

One mistake and this is what happens. If you only knew what the doc is you would probably laugh.

Only THE AUTHOR can determine the security classification of a document. You chose to ignore the rules.

Thanks to you and to others who have replied for the encouraging words.

I'm sorry, but that doesn't include me.

I firmly agree with the rules: 3rd party contractors should ALWAYS be summarily dismissed for security breaches. (Especially the likes of EDS.)

[shoes]

That's unlucky and altho strictly correct it is pointlessly following the letter of the law rather than applying any common sense to it. Maybe someones budget is becoming tighter than they thought.

Hey ho you live to fight another day. You made some money, you would have accepted the role if it was just for 5 months I dare say. Move on.

[KentPhilip]

Quite right too, and so they should. The rules were re-issued earlier this year and are quite clear. Summary dismissal for contractors and a record on your personnel file for staff.

They shouldn't be. They should know the rules too.

I disagree. I am sick of hearing about security breaches; the civil service gets the blame but it is usually 3rd parties. Like you.

It's not a threat, they are telling you not to use them as a reference.

Quite right too. Contract termination for a blatant breach of trust.

You've been summarily dismissed for a security breach and you want paid? From taxpayer's money, presumably. You should be ashamed of yourself; behaviour like this gives contractors a bad name.

You may well lose your clearance. It may be for a LONG time.

None. The author of a document chooses its classification, nobody else.

Evidently not.

Only THE AUTHOR can determine the security classification of a document. You chose to ignore the rules.

I'm sorry, but that doesn't include me.

I firmly agree with the rules: 3rd party contractors should ALWAYS be summarily dismissed for security breaches. (Especially the likes of EDS.)

That's far too harsh. A single breach of what is probably an unimportant uninteresting document marked secret by some public sector bozo who knows nothing left in an unmarked drawer in an office that is not open to the public.

Its hardly compromising national security now is it.

Common sense would suggest a reprimand and final warning perhaps, but not the end of the contract.

[thunderlizard]

It does seem harsh but right now anyone doing government work will be looking for security brownie points. Being able to say "we've got a track record of booting out people who leave their desk drawers unlocked even if nothing comes of it" will help them no end.