Contract terminated without cause and now further assignments being blocked

**kevpuk** · 26 July 2013, 08:06

Originally posted by EmicoSM View Post

Incidentally, when the contract was terminated they did give me 2 weeks notice but offsite and paid.

Offsite and paid?? Hhhmmmmmm

**northernladuk** · 26 July 2013, 08:11

Nothing stopping you requesting some feedback but I wouldn't go over the top and make a scene about it. It is very easy to get upset and take it personally but you mustn't. A polite and professional mail asking for some feedback that you can take forward would be much appreciated and then leave it. You can't make a difference arguing. What is done is done and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it not either professionally or personally. Don't make the issue worse.

I am very concerned about this reference rubbish though. Couple of questions...

1) Were you through an agency before?
2) Are these roles you are going for through agents?

You should not be giving your ex manager as a reference. Most companies have policies not to give references to contractors so just put forward the agent who will confirm the dates you worked and nothing more. If you are direct give the contract people at the client, not the manager. Again they will confirm your start and end date. Many companies are very afraid to give feedback in references due to legal ramifications for giving false info.

**EmicoSM** · 26 July 2013, 08:26

Wow - thank you so much for the reply!

So, the contract was direct with the firm through a company that manages all of their contract resources. I've networked to get roles in other parts of the company however, therein lies the problem. Typically, the new hiring manager will just pick up the phone and call up my previous one and I suspect efforts are being made to sabotage my attempts at working their again.

I have no idea why it was ended and I've even asked the management company (who sit under the guise of HR) if its because I'd breached any policy but they still won't tell me. I'm sure I didn't because if I did, there would be no question of getting the paid leave - it would've been termination on site.

I'm really concerned. You know this is a business built on relationships and reputation and I feel like this person is trying to stick the knife in. That's why I wanted to do the DPA request to get any evidence of wrongdoing (which I could at least then address) and also confirm that it wasn't performance related.

I could write a note requesting feedback but not sure how I word it?

**TheFaQQer** · 26 July 2013, 08:30

Do a DPA access request to find out what they hold and what they have written about you.

**northernladuk** · 26 July 2013, 08:44

So it is only blocking the opportunities at this client? That is unfortunate but not the end of the world. Plenty of clients out there that you do not need to connect to this lot. I am really not sure what submitting a DPA request would achieve and what you can do about it when you get it. Just submitting it would be putting the final nail in the coffin with the client surely? They may come around in the future if you leave it as it is but pushing it would really close the doors?

Is it just me but haven't we been through all this before? It couldn't be because an ex colleague has passed on some of your code to your manager?

I can tell you are angry with your terminology. I am sure they are not trying to 'sabotage' you, they are just passing on feedback. Got to keep some perspective. We have had contractors leave here or were given notice when reducing teams and won't get invited back. Some of them we great people and did the work but just not maybe as well as others or expected so the client decided to take a chance with someone else that has a bit more gumption or a bit tougher or with a harder work ethic etc. Nothing particularly wrong with the guys that went, just could be a better option out there. No one is sabotaging them, just made it to 9 out of 10 with the client and they feel there are 10 out of 10 candidates out there.

We have contractors here that work bloody hard and don't socialise too much in the office. We also have a load that do the long hours. Someone chatty person coming in doing 8 hours and going home will need to deliver some top stuff to compete with the existing guys and not stick out. The contractors that just think they are still permies and don't understand what they are there to deliver in the client supplier relationship just don't cut it. Nothing wrong with them, just not the cream of the crop.

**cojak** · 26 July 2013, 08:46

Are you new to contracting? When are you handing over your references to agents?

If you are new and you are giving out immediately when asked it's highly likely that there no contracts in the first place which is why it all goes quiet. You might just have been phished.

Only give your references after the interview stage.

It may have nothing to do with the ex-manager (NLUK's advice still holds though).

**EmicoSM** · 26 July 2013, 09:25

Chaps - thanks for the feedback. I'm going to take NLUK's advice on this one. Just leave it be and move on. I think it boils down to an issues of communication. I was kept in the dark and thought I had a good relationship with my hiring manager. Evidently not. You're right, there's a lot of hiring going on right now. I'll ply my wares and see what happens...

**lukemg** · 26 July 2013, 13:15

ONLY time I tapped up an ex-boss for work, when I knew he had a job going, he declined and while he fobbed me off, he confided in a team member that I was 'a really nice chap, fits in but does seem to only do the bare minimum'....
This was a fair and accurate assesment, I put a shift in, get the work done but I just don't really enjoy working and can't be bothered pulling up trees or putting in long hours.
Course - I now work in a different part of the same company and see ex-boss occasionally as I head for a coffee. Naturally I greet him with a smile and cheery wave...

**Dominic Connor** · 29 July 2013, 15:22

Was Resource Solutions involved ?

You mention that there is a managing agent at the client, was this Resource Solutions ?

Contract terminated without cause and now further assignments being blocked