backstabbing, bitching, sucking up to the boss.

[psychocandy]

Mattski has a good attitude to it. Like I said, best to try and ignore unless it becomes an issue.

One of the reasons I went contracting. No games to play. If you don't like me, then don't renew. If I don't like it there, I won't accept. All the feedback I need.

In theory anyway. I know when it was me this was the guy who signed the timesheets. He'd moan but never refuse to do so. And like I said, offered an extension anyway.

OP - assume because you mention boss this guy/girl is the one who signs timesheets and, at least, recommends extensions anyway?

Sounds like my experience. They'll moan and moan to try and bully you into doing what they want but, ultimately, they still want you there. Depends then how much it does your nut putting up with this. For me threshold is low - cant be dealing with this tulipe.

[psychocandy]

Heard it all before from someone that used to regularly get in at 10, when I am usually in at 8.

Said, on a regular basis, he hated fecking contractors on a regular basis even though 3/4 of "his" team were made up of them.

MTFU, carry on invoicing and look for another contract.

In the end, he even said "how can you do this to me", when I left at the end of the current extension.

Call me unprofessional but I dream of being able to do this one day....

Passive Aggression is one of my pet hates. I can't stand snidy, half joking comments...... If you've got an issue say it my face not try and banter me into doing it.

(Neither can I stand the 'I hate contractors' idea - nothing stopping you giving it a try I always tell the permies).

[northernladuk]

Where the flexibility allows I have come in late and gone late my entire working career. I'm just not a morning type. I've had stick for it for that entire time as well, no exceptions. Doing ANYTHING different makes you a target for comment. The majority of it is banter but occasionally you'll get the odd person that will sound like banter but it narks him. As long as the guys that count are aware then just play the game. I've never been a clock watcher though so more often than not I will put more hours in as well which is always a great defence.

One very important thing though, don't get riled about it. Once you do you are screwed. They banter will increase just to wind you up. It's just human nature. Play the game enjoy the banter and if someone does really mean it just shrug and move on.

On thing I do do occasionally is beat the entire office in. You'll get all the jokes about wetting the bed etc. I have a couple of hand written signs I hold one when people walk in saying 'No I haven't wet the bed' or 'No I haven't slept here overnight' which I just hold up as they walk in. I then am the last person out. It's the source of much joviality but it does have long term benefits. Because your timings are a source of comment doing the one long day also gets extra attention so someone will throw it in when they are bantering with you so that person is actually doing your defence for you. Hard to explain really but mixing it up keeps them guessing.

That said if you are 10-6 clock watcher that won't do a minute over then not sure any of that is going to work really and you are just going to have to shoulder it. Getting upset about it is just silly.

[psychocandy]

Where the flexibility allows I have come in late and gone late my entire working career. I'm just not a morning type. I've had stick for it for that entire time as well, no exceptions. Doing ANYTHING different makes you a target for comment. The majority of it is banter but occasionally you'll get the odd person that will sound like banter but it narks him. As long as the guys that count are aware then just play the game. I've never been a clock watcher though so more often than not I will put more hours in as well which is always a great defence.

One very important thing though, don't get riled about it. Once you do you are screwed. They banter will increase just to wind you up. It's just human nature. Play the game enjoy the banter and if someone does really mean it just shrug and move on.

On thing I do do occasionally is beat the entire office in. You'll get all the jokes about wetting the bed etc. I have a couple of hand written signs I hold one when people walk in saying 'No I haven't wet the bed' or 'No I haven't slept here overnight' which I just hold up as they walk in. I then am the last person out. It's the source of much joviality but it does have long term benefits. Because your timings are a source of comment doing the one long day also gets extra attention so someone will throw it in when they are bantering with you so that person is actually doing your defence for you. Hard to explain really but mixing it up keeps them guessing.

That said if you are 10-6 clock watcher that won't do a minute over then not sure any of that is going to work really and you are just going to have to shoulder it. Getting upset about it is just silly.

NLUK. Just wondering like. Are you even more miserable if you get up early then?

[psychocandy]

Where the flexibility allows I have come in late and gone late my entire working career. I'm just not a morning type. I've had stick for it for that entire time as well, no exceptions. Doing ANYTHING different makes you a target for comment. The majority of it is banter but occasionally you'll get the odd person that will sound like banter but it narks him. As long as the guys that count are aware then just play the game. I've never been a clock watcher though so more often than not I will put more hours in as well which is always a great defence.

One very important thing though, don't get riled about it. Once you do you are screwed. They banter will increase just to wind you up. It's just human nature. Play the game enjoy the banter and if someone does really mean it just shrug and move on.

On thing I do do occasionally is beat the entire office in. You'll get all the jokes about wetting the bed etc. I have a couple of hand written signs I hold one when people walk in saying 'No I haven't wet the bed' or 'No I haven't slept here overnight' which I just hold up as they walk in. I then am the last person out. It's the source of much joviality but it does have long term benefits. Because your timings are a source of comment doing the one long day also gets extra attention so someone will throw it in when they are bantering with you so that person is actually doing your defence for you. Hard to explain really but mixing it up keeps them guessing.

That said if you are 10-6 clock watcher that won't do a minute over then not sure any of that is going to work really and you are just going to have to shoulder it. Getting upset about it is just silly.

I can imagine - luckily its pretty friendly at current client. Still think that sometimes this 'banter' has a bit of nasty undertone where people think contractor earning loads should be working more than me.

Some people seem to be able to play the game. Work with a guy like this - monday you're lucky if hes there by 1pm. Other days its random whether hes there in the morning at all. Some days no-one has a clue where he is. But can guarantee he will make damn sure the manager is aware of how hard hes working till 8pm. Reckon he still does less hours than those of who do a solid 7.5/8 each and every day but he seems to get away with it.

Sometimes I don't have lunch but no-one notices that of course. I've joined the gym near previous clients taking hour or so for lunch now and again (instead of 30 mins).

No-one will notice how long someone is out for lunch mostly but will be impressed that you're in hour earlier or leave hour later. Same hours - bit silly but sometimes its less hassle to do it this way.

[MrMarkyMark]

Another contractor guy there who I think might have something to do. Seems to be a law unto himself. Spend all day trying to avoid responsibility, blame others, and make himself look good in the eyes of the client. Right sneaky little git. Dont trust him. He seems to work whatever hours he wants but always seems to make sure the client knows hes there at 8pm - even though he strolls in at 1pm some days....

Work with a guy like this - monday you're lucky if hes there by 1pm.

Some days no-one has a clue where he is. But can guarantee he will make damn sure the manager is aware of how hard hes working till 8pm.

Eh?! you are the OP and I collect my free biscuits.

[psychocandy]

Eh?! you are the OP and I collect my free biscuits.

lol. I'd get blamed if the cat had kittens I would.

Nope. My sockies are northernladuk, marypoppins, and MarillionFan. :-)

Spooky - perhaps OP is sitting next to me on the next desk as we speak!!!!! Or perhaps there are a few people around like this......

[MrMarkyMark]

lol. I'd get blamed if the cat had kittens I would.

Nope. My sockies are northernladuk, marypoppins, and MarillionFan. :-)

Hmmmmm, well the original post did seem to be written in the same "style" as yours.

[psychocandy]

Hmmmmm, well the original post did seem to be written in the same "style" as yours.

Im famous. Like shakespeare - my writing style will ensure for centuries....

Perhaps I will create a sockie. Think I'll be a girl........ ;-)

[jmo21]

I can imagine - luckily its pretty friendly at current client. Still think that sometimes this 'banter' has a bit of nasty undertone where people think contractor earning loads should be working more than me.

Nail on head. This is exactly the issue.

Permie's need to be seen to bend over when it comes to extra time (often worked for free). If they don't, it gets noticed, promotions/bonuses get affected.

Management know this. They use this. They encourage this. (not everywhere is like this of course, but many places are)

They *could* try this with contractors too (but with extensions being the carrot) but most contractors aren't interested in these games.

I've only seen it once, and that was because of a particularly eager "we work 60 hours a week as standard" team in the US. "Why won't you contractors work late?" - there wasn't even a need to, they just wanted us to. Only one contractor bent over and accepted it. He ended up getting extended longer than the rest too, so maybe he got what he wanted.