Legal issue to do with conduct

[cojak]

I have been contracting for over 10 years now, so I am aware and have seen a lot of unpleasant characters myself, but this time the abuse was so open and the insults were in an open office at the earshot of everyone who pretended to do something else.

I agree, I should have not complained, now that I have, do you think I need to go through all the process and interviews or should I just tell them I want to move on and have no wish of dragging this on any longer?

Yes even though my complained was very confidential I think I may have harmed the program manager (who unfortunately is a contractor too hence our paths may cross again) and yes I probably wont work with this agency again....

I don't know, I was a victim being bullied, and I am even in bigger problems now...

Anyway, should I withdraw my complaint now?

No, but I would probably just hand in my notice immediately and let them deal with it.

And don't worry about getting the PM in trouble - if they are so crap that they couldn't handle this situation properly then they don't deserve the contract.

We aren't contractors to have to put up with this rubbish - that's what permies do.

[BolshieBastard]

Wonder what the group here thinks of this situation:
I am contracted to one of those troubled organisation. I started 3 months ago. Since I started there another contractor (contracted through same agency/consultancy) was being very nasty and constantly cut me out, did not behave in a professional manner towards me, the put downs contained comments about my background etc, I managed to ignore that contractor and stay away / keep my head down for the 3 months, but 2 weeks ago, things got worse and the way way I was being treated by that contractor was not acceptable. I finally had a meeting with the manager saying I wasn't comfortable with the way I am being treated and the fact I was put down and having to hear unpleasant comments about me and my background.

The next day by magic my contract was terminated... I believe my manager (who was and still is very nice to me) had to speak to the program manager about my concerns to protect himself.. and I think the program manager was worried about further issues in the program, and just said there are many budgets cuts. The program manager had a meeting with me telling me the termination is no reflection on my performance or my ability to do the job, its just budgets cuts.

I thought about it for a day or so, then I decided to log an official complaint, I know the company are cutting, but these things do not happen over night and its a strange coincidence that it happened immediately the next day I expressed my discomfort...

Now, the organisation is saying since I am contractor the organisation complaint policies do not apply to me, and since me and the other contractor involved belong to the same agency they are leaving it to the agency to investigate, the agency is saying they have no obligation towards me, they are conducting interview with me and the other contractor to please the client.

I am not sure what I did was right or wrong, I would have normally just walked away, and now thinking I should have, the truth is that contractor made my life really horrible during the last 3 months and I am actually relieved to be out of there..... anyone had such a situation? What's the best way out of this?

Just to clarify my objective is not to cause the client or event he agency any issues, I have had no problems with either, the client were top class with me, and the agency too actually, its only that contractor who is causing all this.

I had a stand off with a bolshie developer once over business questions and queries regarding a particular system operation and potential enhancements. It got pretty tetchy. One day he overstepped the mark one time too many. So, instead of offering him out to the car park I spoke to the program manager.

I explained my thoughts and examples of the unprofessional behaviour by this developer. He took it on board and a few days had another word with me. Apparently the developer was known for being antagonistic and as his attitude was against company policy, he was served with a warning.

Sometimes you 'win' and sometimes you dont. You lost so its time to move on and learn from it. Some people will say you're a contractor so get on with it but, just because you're a contractor doesnt mean people can treat you like tulip.

I wont let anyone treat me like something they stepped in on a pavement.

[northernladuk]

Anyway, should I withdraw my complaint now?

Yes you should. I was on a contract with a bank and was treated very badly by most of the permie staff around me and one of the tech guys in particular. Took him to one side and asked him why and he had first hand experience of contractors coming in, not cutting it and leaving with a complaint as a parting shot. The fall out then was that every contractor they came in touch with got it both barrels from the whole team. On dickhead contractor ruined it for every contractor that had the misfortune of dealing with that team.

Withdraw your complain and just get on with it. You have absolutely nothing, zip, nada, zero to gain from the complaint so why bother.

[Wanderer]

I had a stand off with a bolshie developer once

An irresistible force meets an immovable object. I would have liked to see that.

[The Spartan]

An irresistible force meets an immovable object. I would have liked to see that.

Did someone say "irresistible", you called?

[SandyD]

The derogative remarks I had from that contractor had nothing to do with work, or difference of opinion on how things should be done.. it was purely personal, just constant remarks on my person and my background.

Today I met up with the agency representative who is supposed to investigate, I made it clear that in fact I was very happy with the agency (this is really true they have been really good with me) and happy with the client, but that person just made my life difficult, I stated the incident.

He said as we (me and the other contractor) are not employees this may be a criminal offence that if I wish I can pursue. I told him my objective was firstly to let that contractor that I am not to be treated this way, if I let that contractor get away with it, the same behaviour will continue to a new victim. I told him if it was made clear to that contractor that this behaviour will not be tolerated, then I am happy with that outcome and will not pursue it any further as I do not see anyone gaining any good from this.

Anyway, that would be the last I hear of it I hope, its behind me.

I already accepted a new offer, so am moving on.

[SussexSeagull]

Legal issue to do with conduct

The derogative remarks I had from that contractor had nothing to do with work, or difference of opinion on how things should be done.. it was purely personal, just constant remarks on my person and my background.

Today I met up with the agency representative who is supposed to investigate, I made it clear that in fact I was very happy with the agency (this is really true they have been really good with me) and happy with the client, but that person just made my life difficult, I stated the incident.

He said as we (me and the other contractor) are not employees this may be a criminal offence that if I wish I can pursue. I told him my objective was firstly to let that contractor that I am not to be treated this way, if I let that contractor get away with it, the same behaviour will continue to a new victim. I told him if it was made clear to that contractor that this behaviour will not be tolerated, then I am happy with that outcome and will not pursue it any further as I do not see anyone gaining any good from this.

Anyway, that would be the last I hear of it I hope, its behind me.

I already accepted a new offer, so am moving on.

All's well that ends well then.

[socialworker]

If I am interpreting what you have said about personal remarks about your background, and it possibly being a criminal offence I wonder if you mean racist remarks. If so, this guy is well and truly shooting himself in the foot, making himself unemployable as the agency needs to be supplying offensive racists like it needs a hole in the head. Even if it wasnt racist stuff, he is still going to get his comeuppance sooner or later, no doubt about it and is blighting his career for years to come.

[SandyD]

If I am interpreting what you have said about personal remarks about your background, and it possibly being a criminal offence I wonder if you mean racist remarks. If so, this guy is well and truly shooting himself in the foot, making himself unemployable as the agency needs to be supplying offensive racists like it needs a hole in the head. Even if it wasnt racist stuff, he is still going to get his comeuppance sooner or later, no doubt about it and is blighting his career for years to come.

Yes racist, my parents are Mediterranean, but have lived in this country since I was very young, , educated and worked in the UK for the last 25 years, UK has always been home to me, this other contractor is not even British lol, from another European country and thinks they are superior. At one point that contractor said loudly laughing to someone else in the team: yes I am racist, and so what?

However, It will be a long battle for me if I wanted to pursue this, I have no resources to pay lawyers etc, I think what I did is enough. I can't be bothered with small minded people.

[Magic]

Go to the Police and file a complaint

Yes racist, my parents are Mediterranean, but have lived in this country since I was very young, , educated and worked in the UK for the last 25 years, UK has always been home to me, this other contractor is not even British lol, from another European country and thinks they are superior. At one point that contractor said loudly laughing to someone else in the team: yes I am racist, and so what?

However, It will be a long battle for me if I wanted to pursue this, I have no resources to pay lawyers etc, I think what I did is enough. I can't be bothered with small minded people.

No need for lawyers, this is an easy one. Go in file a complaint with the police and see the racist tw@t get his reward. The company HR and the agency should have done more about this, not your problem. Do it as the tw@t needs an education and a criminal record, should help keep him out of the better contracts and cleaning the bogs