When gigs go bad

[paulinefowlersgrowler]

See my other thread about internet access too. Current client is turning into a bit of a nightmare.

In the past, never had much hassle, apart from odd permie not liking contractors but mostly been good as gold. Not so here.

Definite them and us attitude and they watch like hawks anything I do. Been picked up on a few stupid things like internet. Even doing things the right way I get picked up on because I did something correctly and refused one of the users a request but he was good mates with the client manager. I got blamed for that even though I followed procedures.

Stupid thing is the work is getting done and they admit that but theres definitely an attitude that your face has got to fit, just doing the work is not enough, you've got to look good too - which I aint interested in. Dont want to be best mates with all the permies.

Anyway, some of the stuff is just pathetic. Got an extension recently and got a feeling they will offer more if it suits them until I upset some permie then they wont think twice about getting rid at short notice. I just feel there should be a mutual respect between parties but all I get is contempt from them.

I guess this happens and I've got a feeling its not going to end well. 5 weeks left now. Suck it up, take the money and walk at the end? I guess thats beauty of contracting.

[PurpleGorilla]

I have no problem being friendly with permies, might as well get on and work in a pleasant environment if at all possible. Might even make a new friend or two... 😉

[Old Greg]

In management speak, you are not a good fit. Move on.

[TheFaQQer]

Either suck it up or walk away.

[BrilloPad]

Where is the emoticon for keep calm and carry on invoicing?

:doodab: ?

Please admin make it so.

[d000hg]

Dealing with people and keeping them happy is part of any B2B relationship.

[SteelyDan]

Know what you mean...with current gig I'm now feeling that I've been here too long tbh (2 yrs) & time to move on.

Being a normal, sociable chap, I get on well with the vast majority of the permies here (& have on all other assignments), but there a few areas where there's a bit of a 'bad smell'...not sure what the issue is as I've not really had much interaction with those particular areas, but you sense there's an issue of sorts. Typical thing would be you are walking down the office, someone approaching/coming towards you, you go to say 'good morning' or whatever, they just put their head down and walk past as if you don't exist, and say nothing. With these particular people, I've now adopted a similar approach, whereby I just look right thru them as if they're not there, thinking 'you w*nker'.

There are times when I think, wtf, I'll just carry on billing and ignore it, but there are other times when I feel like stopping them & saying 'wtf is your problem?'. Doesn't make for the happiest of existences, and these ppl I'm talking about are the minority, but it still irks me.

[SimonMac]

In management speak, you are not a good fit. Move on.

+1

You are being brought into someone else culture so its your job to make sure you can build a working relationship with your customer

[quackhandle]

There are times when I think, wtf, I'll just carry on billing and ignore it, but there are other times when I feel like stopping them & saying 'wtf is your problem?'. Doesn't make for the happiest of existences, and these ppl I'm talking about are the minority, but it still irks me.

In nearly every clientco I've been at there's been a few of these types. Perhaps they feel threatened/jealous/just an arse? In the previous gig I had a serious argument with a collegue, never had that before in 12yrs of gigging, he just had a real go at me one morning. Had to go and calm down before I chucked him out of the window.

Thankfully stuck up for myself and after that we sorted it out, remained professional and quite civil. It happens. Keeps it interesting anyway.

qh

[SteelyDan]

Perhaps they feel threatened/jealous/just an arse?

Yeah, all of the above I guess, plus maybe socially inept, or just plain ignorant feckers; you get to see all sorts in this type of work.