Contract from hell

[unixman]

If there is a wide mismatch between the work that was discussed before signing the contract, and what you are being asked to do, take your mobile phone outside and have a friendly chat with the agent. He/she will probably put your mind at rest, or try to. For example, it may be that the client is always a bit like this with new contractors. The agent probably knows the client well, so have a chat. Remember - friendly and calm.

At the start of my current gig, I was suddenly asked from day one for a date when I would complete a huge setup, using technologies I was familiar with but no expert. Pressure was intolerable. No such delivery had been discussed at interview. I could not give a date and kept pointing out that the setup included some technologies I didn't know or mention on my CV, or pretend to offer. Pulling my hair out, I eventually called the agent (these were good agents who supplied many contractors to the client).

He basically calmed me down and advised me to wait it out. He offered to speak to the client but I said no, let's wait and see. A short while after, in a weekly meeting, the client took on board what I was saying. She pulled in another guy to cover those bits I didn't know. We delivered the setup together and I am still here 2 years later, and expert on *all* that stuff now.

[LHM]

If there is a wide mismatch between the work that was discussed before signing the contract, and what you are being asked to do, take your mobile phone outside and have a friendly chat with the agent. He/she will probably put your mind at rest, or try to. For example, it may be that the client is always a bit like this with new contractors. The agent probably knows the client well, so have a chat. Remember - friendly and calm.

At the start of my current gig, I was suddenly asked from day one for a date when I would complete a huge setup, using technologies I was familiar with but no expert. Pressure was intolerable. No such delivery had been discussed at interview. I could not give a date and kept pointing out that the setup included some technologies I didn't know or mention on my CV, or pretend to offer. Pulling my hair out, I eventually called the agent (these were good agents who supplied many contractors to the client).

He basically calmed me down and advised me to wait it out. He offered to speak to the client but I said no, let's wait and see. A short while after, in a weekly meeting, the client took on board what I was saying. She pulled in another guy to cover those bits I didn't know. We delivered the setup together and I am still here 2 years later, and expert on *all* that stuff now.

I think I'll do the same - it might just help if the Agent does at least offer to speak to the client. Thanks for the advice.

[psychocandy]

I think I'll do the same - it might just help if the Agent does at least offer to speak to the client. Thanks for the advice.

Beware though. Agent is not your friend....

OP - think some of the replies are a bit harsh. OK you've been unlucky and it looks like it tulipe. Unlucky to have this as your first one maybe before you know the score....

Rest of you. Think back to your first ever gig - if it has been a bad one how would you have reacted? Probably a bit like the OP I imagine.......

[northernladuk]

Rest of you. Think back to your first ever gig - if it has been a bad one how would you have reacted? Probably a bit like the OP I imagine.......

Oddly my first gig was the worst I've had. I was brought in to backfill a position where two previous guys had left due to the way the permies had treated them. I walked in to a battlefield. I was the only contractor there and I had a very torrid time. The permies did everything they can to make it difficult. It was after work deployment so I came in at midday and left whenever the job was done but they kept giving my desk away as a hot desk, not preparing kit for dispatch in the morning, you name it.

Back then I stuck it out. I was used to working in difficult situations and got a sense of achievement nailing the gig despite their efforts for which the hiring manager was extremely relieved. He was pretty powerless to intervene but knew the score. To be honest I knew contracting was going to be hard so I thought that is how it was. My naivety helped me through it.

Would I take a gig like that now? I don't know until I'm there. I can give it as hard as I can take it so if it's a short term thing I'd give it a shot. Saying that I've a warchest that tells me I don't need to. I think it would have to be an utter nightmare for me to leave though. A bit of politics and the like wouldn't be enough. The IR35 situation might though.

IMO A hard first gig was the best intro you can have. You have to stand on your own two feet and learn very fast.

[MrMarkyMark]

Oddly my first gig was the worst I've had. I was brought in to backfill a position where two previous guys had left due to the way the permies had treated them. I walked in to a battlefield. I was the only contractor there and I had a very torrid time. The permies did everything they can to make it difficult. It was after work deployment so I came in at midday and left whenever the job was done but they kept giving my desk away as a hot desk, not preparing kit for dispatch in the morning, you name it.

Back then I stuck it out. I was used to working in difficult situations and got a sense of achievement nailing the gig despite their efforts for which the hiring manager was extremely relieved. He was pretty powerless to intervene but knew the score. To be honest I knew contracting was going to be hard so I thought that is how it was. My naivety helped me through it.

Would I take a gig like that now? I don't know until I'm there. I can give it as hard as I can take it so if it's a short term thing I'd give it a shot. Saying that I've a warchest that tells me I don't need to. I think it would have to be an utter nightmare for me to leave though. A bit of politics and the like wouldn't be enough. The IR35 situation might though.

IMO A hard first gig was the best intro you can have. You have to stand on your own two feet and learn very fast.

Very true.
We all have some war stories to tell, especially from when we were a bit green to the game.
Howvever, the experiences are truly valuable as it will allow you to deal with difficult situations in the future.

[BolshieBastard]

I think the OP is spouting utter crap. Thinking of jumping ship in the first week? on their first contract? Sounds like yet another starry eyed permie who thought contracting was just lots of extra money for doing and acting the same as a permie.

well, as they've found out, its not. Its frequently doing a job that's different from the job spec. Its frequently dealing with arsey client managers and its frequently being made to feel that everything that's going wrong is down to you.

FFS grow some testicles, man up and do the job even if it isnt 'what you signed up for.'

That's part and parcel of contracting life.

[Elliegirl]

A living nightmare, dropped into an already established can of worms. I cannot make any impact due to being restricted by deeply embedded politics. The company was in dire straits and has recently been bought to turn it around. The role is nowhere close to what was agreed. 1 month into a 6 month. Cut loose or stick it?

If the gig I'm at now was my first contract, I'd have probably run for the hills as fast as my little legs could take me. It's the pits of fiery hell, politics like you wouldn't believe, everyone hates each other but pretends to be mates, full on shouting matches when it all gets too hard to hide, and there are team building meetings and dinners which just reinforce the emnity and hatred. I've never seen anything like it. I also once worked on a contract where the Programme Manager tried to get me sacked for the simple reason that he wasn't involved in my appointment. Nothing else. What I've learned is the more contracts you do, the tougher you get. You do what you are paid to do, smile politely and go home to people/animals who care about you. I seriously love being a contractor. I never had this much fun, danger and excitement in permiedom, I can tell you. Or money! Hang in there. Trust me, it's more than worth it.

[LHM]

You do what you are paid to do, smile politely and go home to people/animals who care about you. I seriously love being a contractor. I never had this much fun, danger and excitement in permiedom, I can tell you. Or money! Hang in there. Trust me, it's more than worth it.

Haha love this. Thank you. Up and at 'em I go!!!

[FatLazyContractor]

and there are team building meetings and

You don't attend them, do you?

[NotAllThere]

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