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Timesheets not getting approved

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    #31
    Originally posted by dx4100 View Post
    I can't think of one good reason from the contractors point of view why the timesheet isn't being signed. Its the first warning sign you are about to get screwed to be frank.



    You do work, they confirm work as agreed, you get paid. Anyone who wants to mess with that cycle needs to be pulled up at the earliest opportunity and you do it directly with the person refusing to do their job / fulfil the agreed contract.

    EXACTLY.
    I mean how long does it take ? 20 sec?

    Comment


      #32
      Originally posted by uk contractor View Post
      Sorry but I disagree with you there. The no1 way to really upset the applecart is confront the PM over something so trivial to them. This is what the agency is for if you start getting involved in the office politics its not the best way to keep everybody happy is it! Let the agency deal with this its one of the only ways they can earn their commission why deprive them of that experience!! Some PM's want to let you know who is Boss (them not you). Others send a message they want you to leave by being awkward & not signing the timesheet. Some PM's juggle budget & delay payments to avoid going over budget for that period. Its rarely straightforward there is nearly always a good reason why some will not just sign the timesheet. Why get directly involved its not going to make getting a renewal (if its available) easier is it!!
      You let the agency to take care of your problems and it's taking more than 5 weeks. This is not a good policy in my point of view.

      If you don't know how to solve your problems you will be dead on arrival. That's life.

      Don't let your problems in others hands if you have all the "tools" so solve it ASAP.

      Comment


        #33
        Originally posted by Bee View Post
        You let the agency to take care of your problems and it's taking more than 5 weeks. This is not a good policy in my point of view.

        If you don't know how to solve your problems you will be dead on arrival. That's life.

        Don't let your problems in others hands if you have all the "tools" so solve it ASAP.
        5 weeks is not a good amount of time to wait is it! Me personally I want it signed within 1-2 business days unless its the start of the contract & it may take them a little longer to set you up on HR systems to manage payments internally. Then I would throw it over to the agency let them earn their fees that way your not making yourself unpopular are you!

        Maybe its me but forcing 2 people to confront an issue is not IMO a good business tactic to use even if it gets results faster its also very risky!!

        Comment


          #34
          Originally posted by uk contractor View Post
          5 weeks is not a good amount of time to wait is it! Me personally I want it signed within 1-2 business days unless its the start of the contract & it may take them a little longer to set you up on HR systems to manage payments internally. Then I would throw it over to the agency let them earn their fees that way your not making yourself unpopular are you!

          Maybe its me but forcing 2 people to confront an issue is not IMO a good business tactic to use even if it gets results faster its also very risky!!
          I understand your problem, but when you have to manage people sometimes you have to do it, it's not an ideal situation but we have to do it. It's normal and they will understand.

          Comment


            #35
            Originally posted by uk contractor View Post
            Then I would throw it over to the agency let them earn their fees that way your not making yourself unpopular are you!
            I thought one of the perks of being a contractor was not having to be friends with the permies



            No one likes me... Never stopped me winning repeat business...

            Comment


              #36
              Originally posted by 2bFrank View Post
              Hello,

              Ive been in this contract for about 4 months, and I have recently signed an extension for the contract for just under 6 months. I am really enjoying the contract and there have been no issues, however for the last 5 weeks, my timesheets have not been approved.

              I got the contract through an agency, and at the end of each week, I submit a timesheet stating how many days I have worked that week. Previously the last PM was very proactive and usually approved the timesheet immediately (I think they get a email notification). However that PM left the company 5 weeks ago, and since then my timesheets have not been approved.

              There is a new PM who has taken over a month ago, and I went through the process of getting the new PM on the agency timesheet system. I've spoken to him a few times and he confirms he has access to the system, but is waiting for permission to approve the timesheets from his manager. This is where things start to get a little strange.

              Ive chased his manager, and she states he's allowed to approve them. I am at a bit of a loss on what to do. Im not desperate for the money as I have a lot saved in my company, but I was hoping to use this for a few months off for a baby.

              Im I being mugged off here. a few fellow contractors, who i've worked with previously, say I should leave the contract, as it could be a cashflow issue with the company, or they are looking to get out of paying me. But im not sure if this is the case. They are quite a big company, but it doesn't make sense why my timesheets are not getting approved.

              Any ideas on how I should take this further?
              As the sensible ones have said, you don't want to start a storm in a teacup. However, without getting stroppy, you are a business too, with commitments, just like the client and the agency. If the t/s are usually signed weekly then that should continue regardless of a change in authority.

              Reaching for contracts and lawyers before confirming that the problem is not merely because of a change in management (admin hiccup/bottleneck) is foolish, if you like the gig and want continuance. Deal with it human to human at first and as, someone has said here, be wary of involving the manager's manager. Nobody takes easily to being shown up because some (in their opinion) minor management issue has escaped their attention. I would also advocate asking the agent to have a gentle word. It is in their interest to keep YOU BOTH happy.

              Comment


                #37
                Originally posted by dx4100 View Post
                I thought one of the perks of being a contractor was not having to be friends with the permies



                No one likes me... Never stopped me winning repeat business...

                Not sure I agree totally here. Current client permies are great to be honest. Nice people, no contractor hangups. I buy them a beer if we're in the pub, occasionally buy cakes, once or twice ordered in a few pizzas - they think its brilliant. Very little cost to me at end of the day.

                I got told the contract wasn't being renewed a few months ago. Few weeks later got asked if I wanted to stay after all. Turned out that a few of the permies had kicked off that they were getting rid of me.

                OK not stupid enough to believe it was because of love more like the work being dumped on them now but it can only have helped. Certainly better than if management had said PC is leaving and they'd all said good riddance.
                Rhyddid i lofnod psychocandy!!!!

                Comment


                  #38
                  Originally posted by psychocandy View Post
                  Not sure I agree totally here. Current client permies are great to be honest. Nice people, no contractor hangups. I buy them a beer if we're in the pub, occasionally buy cakes, once or twice ordered in a few pizzas - they think its brilliant. Very little cost to me at end of the day.
                  Sounds horrible to be honest... Last thing I want to do after work is socialise with them, let alone waste perfectly good cake on them.

                  Next thing you will be going on team building weekends, getting involved with the lottery syndicate and going for lunchtime runs....

                  Get in, get the job done, get out, invoice and get paid. No need for cake and frills. That is for the residents.

                  Comment


                    #39
                    Originally posted by dx4100 View Post
                    Sounds horrible to be honest... Last thing I want to do after work is socialise with them, let alone waste perfectly good cake on them.

                    Next thing you will be going on team building weekends, getting involved with the lottery syndicate and going for lunchtime runs....

                    Get in, get the job done, get out, invoice and get paid. No need for cake and frills. That is for the residents.
                    They are still people. Just because they get remunerated a different way doesn't make them bad.

                    When I see comments like this it looks to me like some has read a book on contracting knows a bit about it and applys the same logic carte blanche because they think they have to.
                    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                    Comment


                      #40
                      Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
                      They are still people. Just because they get remunerated a different way doesn't make them bad.

                      When I see comments like this it looks to me like some has read a book on contracting knows a bit about it and applys the same logic care Blanche because they think they have to.
                      Agreed. You have to work with clients.
                      Occasionally being sociable and joining in, to a limited extent, is bloody good business. Separation is indeed key, acting like like totally arrogant bell end isn't.
                      Look at what other businesses do, they build relationships, that's where real money is made.
                      The Chunt of Chunts.

                      Comment

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