Permies with Chips

[TheFaQQer]

Under a barrage of anti-contractor loud remarks/commentary from a permie with a chip on his shoulder at current client – and yes I know a certain amount of resentment is common and part and parcel of contracting.

I count myself lucky that I've never had any of this in the years that I've been contracting - I've always found the permies pleasant to work with and I've not had anyone consistently carp about contractors.

But this guy is overboard with the snide comments, loudly declaiming “working part-time hours again!” should I leave at 5pm; repeatedly demanding to know the details and destination of my holiday then orating “Loyal Fail are paying you too much if you can afford that holiday!”, and “I suppose you’re staying at one of those 5* flash hotels are you”, I once ate a croissant and it was "oooh how the other half live" etc etc

The answer to "we're paying you too much if you can do XYZ" is simple - "no, I've cut my rate to help your project out - it's my previous clients that have been overpaying" and smile.

Any tips for dealing with this <person>?
He's looking for a knee-jerk reaction from me but he ain't getting the satisfaction.
However any tips for shutting him up most welcome (concrete boots not an option)

You smile, ignore, act professional, deliver what you are there to do, and don't rise to it. You know what he's trying to do, so why respond?

Alternatively, offer to help him leave his permanent job and become a contractor - point him in the right direction and he'll thank you for it.

[Eirikur]

Make recordings on your mobile of everything what he says and send it to HR

[LondonManc]

Deliver what you are supposed to in the timescales expected and get extended. That will shut him up.. Well it won't, it will piss him off no end but that's better in my opinion.

This is pretty common and there are a couple of approaches... You could take him to one side and be really calm and collected and ask him why he does this? Don't do it in a confrontational style. I've done this with a permie in my first gig that was being pretty obnoxious. It turns out a previous contractor gave some bad feedback which went in to his review and he missed a pay rise so he had no love for contractors. I explained I thought that was out of order and his reviews are non of my business. He got that I wasn't a chunt like the other guy but it wasn't really going to change anything. He did calm down a little because I'd connected with him but it was still hard work. Mentioned it to my client manager as it was starting to affect delivery and he just said sorry but what can I do.

The other one is to mention it to your line manager if it's starting to make the team look bad or affecting delivery. These are the only reasons I would mention it though. 'Because it's pissing me off' is not going to work. He will always side with the permie at the end of the day. He has to so don't make it personal. Again I very much doubt anything will change. He might ask the permie not to be so vocal as customers are around etc but it won't be to defend you.

Nature of the contracting beast I am afraid. If neither of the above work then you are going to have to shoulder it or leave. Just comes down your tolerance levels. This type of thing doesn't bother me as much as it does other contractors I've met but I know people that take this like water off a ducks back. Even I have my limits but these few people seem to be bullet proof.

[FatLazyContractor]

Tell him you are supporting your ill mother , have 4 kids etc and barely is anything is left for you, and you work HARD to provide them means.

I ASSURE you it will help

Or tell them that you have 4 ex-wives whom you have to pay on a weekly basis. It works for BP.

HTH

[FatLazyContractor]

Under a barrage of anti-contractor loud remarks/commentary from a permie with a chip on his shoulder at current client – and yes I know a certain amount of resentment is common and part and parcel of contracting.
But this guy is overboard with the snide comments, loudly declaiming “working part-time hours again!” should I leave at 5pm; repeatedly demanding to know the details and destination of my holiday then orating “Loyal Fail are paying you too much if you can afford that holiday!”, and “I suppose you’re staying at one of those 5* flash hotels are you”, I once ate a croissant and it was "oooh how the other half live" etc etc
On the one hand it’s pathetic/amusing but on the other this frequent loud public criticism is clearly intended to create resentment and turn team members against me.
I am VERY close to pointing out the public (ie. me in a small way) has funded his 2nd home in Spain and the gold plated pension he eagerly awaits, but I suppose that’s not the done thing if I want a decent reference. Any tips for dealing with this <snip>?
He's looking for a knee-jerk reaction from me but he ain't getting the satisfaction.
However any tips for shutting him up most welcome (concrete boots not an option)

Is he fat and does he spend a lot of time in "General" ?

[sociopath]

Or just wind him up further the day he's working for free and your getting paid

[SpontaneousOrder]

The easy answer is to suggest that he must be poorly paid. And then ask him why they don't pay him very well.

[wantacontract]

hahaha nice catch!

[BND100]

Just take him to one side and confront him... Doesn't have to be made into a big thing but most idiots like that wont have the guts to take the jump and seem to hide behind that by berating those who do.

Have a word... Say you don't appreciate it even if he is joking as its getting abit much now etc

[SueEllen]

The thing is - I wasn't bragging, I hadn't even mentioned it. But knowing I have kids and it's half term upcoming he thought he'd chance his arm and interrogate me.
In honestly it was a trap and I walked right into it, unprepared for the resultant vitriol!

Why does he know you have kids? Why does he know you are going on holiday? In future keep your personal life to yourself.

Now you should just wind him up by making up outrageous things ensuring over people overhear, and delivering on time.