When you are the only contractor on site

[LondonManc]

For example a hiring manager who took up to 10 days to sign time sheets. When the agent asked him why, he said it was his "right". I was the only contractor on site.

See? I never leave anything dang-

A six-day dangle? You should see your doctor.

I've had a hiring manager take random amounts of time to authorise timesheets but when they're in different locations, you just have to accept it at times. It's certainly not a right but it's by no means illegal and most of all it's disappointing. Best gigs are where it's a physical time sheet. You can wander up to their desk on a Friday afternoon and they're expecting you.

[Hobosapien]

Best gigs are where it's a physical time sheet. You can wander up to their desk on a Friday afternoon and they're expecting you.

Then try to find a working fax machine, usually down at reception at the other end of the site.

I wonder what happens if you're the only contractor and the client just looks at you puzzled when you ask where the fax machine is. "What's one of those?". IIRC the fall back was having to scan it in and email instead. About the oldest tech in some IT companies.

[Contreras]

For example a hiring manager who took up to 10 days to sign time sheets. When the agent asked him why, he said it was his "right". I was the only contractor on site.

See? I never leave anything dang-

As sole contractor this should be relatively easy to deal with.

It's not so much teaching the client about 'contracting'. Rather: "this is me" and "this is how I work".

If the client is used to contractors you're measured against the ones that ask permission for holidays and will sign anything put in front of them. Then there are those that justify their own existence doing not much at all except run rings around the permies and see you as competition to that.

Contractors? no thanks, they just wind me up.

[psychocandy]

Did you have an example of the difficulties or are you like those annoying Facebook posters who say "Had a bad day, don't want to talk about it" and leave people dangling.

Or people who check in at the hospital and leave no explanation. Just waiting for people to say OMG whats wrong????

Then just admit dropping mother off for outpatient appt. Does my chunk.....

[LondonManc]

Then try to find a working fax machine, usually down at reception at the other end of the site.

I wonder what happens if you're the only contractor and the client just looks at you puzzled when you ask where the fax machine is. "What's one of those?". IIRC the fall back was having to scan it in and email instead. About the oldest tech in some IT companies.

That's odd. I tend to take the signed copy off site and scan it and email it to my agent when I get home.

[MrMarkyMark]

Surely if the clients expectations are so low then you can only over deliver and impress them ?

This is PC we are talking about

[psychocandy]

As sole contractor this should be relatively easy to deal with.

It's not so much teaching the client about 'contracting'. Rather: "this is me" and "this is how I work".

If the client is used to contractors you're measured against the ones that ask permission for holidays and will sign anything put in front of them. Then there are those that justify their own existence doing not much at all except run rings around the permies and see you as competition to that.

Contractors? no thanks, they just wind me up.

You have a good point. Worse one I ever met was a young laydee who'd work weekends for free, work without a contract for 6 weeks (because client hadnt sorted budget out because manager had been on holidays), asked if they could use the permie holiday forms.

Of course, when I politely declined any of this, client thought I was wrong....

[Hobosapien]

That's odd. I tend to take the signed copy off site and scan it and email it to my agent when I get home.

That was the fall back option when I had to get paper ones signed, fortunately a good few years ago now.

Usually I was working away, so if they had a fax machine somewhere convenient it was easier to fax it off on the way out on a Friday than waste part of an already short weekend at home with paperwork.

[Drei]

Can you be in a contract longer than 24 months? Just picking of what people said here or is that only for public sector?

Best things is to keep your mouthy shut do the job and move on, NEVER say what your daily rate is, try not to do you invoicing during your lunch break either or where someone might see it. Keep complaining how poor you are and how hard it is to look for a new gig every few months and how there is a chance you might stay at home months at a time.

[Old Greg]

Can you be in a contract longer than 24 months? Just picking of what people said here or is that only for public sector?

Best things is to keep your mouthy shut do the job and move on, NEVER say what your daily rate is, try not to do you invoicing during your lunch break either or where someone might see it. Keep complaining how poor you are and how hard it is to look for a new gig every few months and how there is a chance you might stay at home months at a time.

Quite right. Invoicing is for meetings.