Early termination of contract due to issue on a work drinks evening

[Old Greg]

If the agency had just said that it was terminated with immediate effect, but didn't give you a reason, what would your attitude be? It may well be that there are other factors at play, and this might be an easy way out for them.

As long as they are in their rights to terminate the contract like this, then there is nothing that you can do. If they can't, then you need to raise that with the agency, regardless of the reasons for termination being given.

Agreed that you can have no complaints for having a contract terminated.

You may have a complaint that you have been unjustly maligned, but I'm not sure what you can do about it.

You could put in a subject access request under the DPA to the agency and end client and see what comes back, but then what? Will you sue for libel (or slander or whatever)? I doubt it. The subject access request might be fun.

[gadgetdude]

This could actually be true for once.

If you go out for a works event with clients DO NOT GET DRUNK.

Even if you behave yourself if someone accuses you of inappropriate behaviour you are stuffed.

You're so right

Especially with the second comment - I think regardless of your behaviour, if someone takes a dislike to you (money, situation etc.) and decides to complain you are indeed stuffed.

I think the "NEVER SOCIALISE WITH CLIENTS" is the decided course of action for me from now on. Even sober I wouldn't trust anyone not to accuse me of anything, as even if I was sober on this occasion, I haven't even been given the chance to give my side of the story.

So drunk or not, it wouldn't make a blind bit of difference if you're not even asked what happened!!!

[gadgetdude]

You could put in a subject access request under the DPA to the agency and end client and see what comes back, but then what? Will you sue for libel (or slander or whatever)? I doubt it.

True I guess I just don't want my name to be unjustly smeared in contractor circles around my way, but as you said, what am I gonna do? I may mention legal words and lawyers, but the reality is, I'm never actually gonna do anything about it

[Old Greg]

True I guess I just don't want my name to be unjustly smeared in contractor circles around my way, but as you said, what am I gonna do? I may mention legal words and lawyers, but the reality is, I'm never actually gonna do anything about it

So, tell the agency in confidence that on that night, you told a few colleagues that you're gay, and that this response is both ridiculous (because you don't hit on women) and clearly discriminatory. You are going to the Equal Opportunities Commission and Stonewall with this.

[gadgetdude]

No point asking why it took so long. That is completely irrelevant to your situation.. If you are interested it could have been because they are taking legal advice, time taken to see if things calm down, maybe she pondered it for awhile and couldn't feel comfortable so finally reported it. I would think the legal eagles will have had it a few weeks as well. Either way, it doesn't matter....

Your client is your customer. Everything you do is relevant. It is about your professional attitude to their work at all times, boozy nights out or in the office. You are not a permie, you cannot get away with this type of stuff. You do not work for the client so there is no reason whatsoever the need to mediate or investigate. They protect their own and take the easy option to bin you. No brainer really.

Being a contractor they can drop you for whatever reason you are, it's part of the way we work. We are flexible workers to do work as the client requests. If they want to finish us for finishing the work early, cause they want to replace you with a permie or bin you because of potential legal issues they can.

You are going to have suck this one up and re-think your attitude to your client. As a contractor I try avoid boozy nights out unless it is a business related on. These people are not your colleagues or friends, they are your customers. Most won't be very pleased you are earning so much more than them anyway so in most clients you have a perception problem from the off. Getting cosy with them isn't always the best approach.

Take it on the chin, hope this never surfaces again when references are checked and leave with as little fuss as possible in my book.

Thanks chap, as much as I'm still p**ed off with it all, I hear what you're saying and completely understand and agree.

It's a difficult transition to make from permy to contractor, and I guess I still have a lot to learn. I'm still adament I did nothing wrong that evening, but as you and others (and my replies) have pointed out - it means sh*t when it comes down to it.

So, best policy for me will be - no socialising at all with anyone from where I happen to be working at the time. Ever. Period.

[gadgetdude]

So, tell the agency in confidence that on that night, you told a few colleagues that you're gay, and that this response is both ridiculous (because you don't hit on women) and clearly discriminatory. You are going to the Equal Opportunities Commission and Stonewall with this.

Awesome I like your thinking

I may well do that!

[Old Greg]

Awesome I like your thinking

I may well do that!

Look at it from an outside point of view. You're getting along perfectly fine. You get the confidence to come out as gay, and then they pull this stunt on you.

[gadgetdude]

Look at it from an outside point of view. You're getting along perfectly fine. You get the confidence to come out as gay, and then they pull this stunt on you.

I see your point of view....

[Project Monkey]

I see your point of view....

Just ask... is it because I’m <insert most appropriate minority group> ?

[gadgetdude]

Just ask... is it because I’m <insert most appropriate minority group> ?

Hehe Though they'll just come straight back with the answer "of course not" I'm sure. Or worse

I think it's probably best to let sleeping dogs lay and walk away slowly backwards towards the door, whistling quietly as I go....

(even though I haven't done anything bl**dy wrong and still don't think it's fair )