Timesheets not getting approved

[WTFH]

I'm not so sure. Taking a 2 hour lunch break is a bit out of order.

Yes, why not 3?


On the current ClientCo site there are a couple of us contractors and when we're taken out to lunch/dinner, we'll get the bar bill while they get the dinner (and wine). Will not bill them for that.
The rule doesn't apply if you're away on business, just if you're on a night out/lunch.


It separates us from the permies, who will get a receipt for every drink and claim them all back when on a social.


I guess it depends on whether you are polite and professional or not.

[LondonManc]

OK, not just that. But like I said, NEVER underestimate permie power. All it takes is 2 or 3 permies bitching to the manager that contractor X is a stuck up bell end who think that he tulips mars bars and the seeds are sown.

Believe me its happened to me the other way round. Permies here are good as gold. I make sure I dont come across as a stuck up twat and try to help them out. Got the boot a few months ago due to budget cuts - few weeks later they asked me if I fancied staying after all and had re-jigged the budget.

Found out later that some of the permies had kicked off that I was going. OK, a lot of it was because they'd be left high and dry but this wouldnt have happened if they thought I was a twat anyway.

Little effort/cost required. Be nice and but beer/cakes/pizza now and again.

Last time, £15 of pizza and they were WELL impressed (for some reason). I've earned more talking tulip....

FTFY

Overall sentiment is fair enough, but I try to build business relationships rather than personal ones. If that involves buying a bag of donuts to cheer the permies up, so be it.

[dx4100]

dx - not being rude or trying to wave my willy in your face or anything but how long you been contracting? How many clients you ever been at?

8 years - 8 clients - Been backwards and forwards between some of those 8 clients so god knows how many individual engagements.

Some times working with more than one client at the same time.

You ?

Not really sure what this adds to the debate other than some sort of willy waving...

[dx4100]

FTFY

Overall sentiment is fair enough, but I try to build business relationships rather than personal ones. If that involves buying a bag of donuts to cheer the permies up, so be it.

THIS ^

I find there isn't a need to buy doughnuts... Its the quality and value of the work I do for them that counts above all else...

[VillageContractor]

Have the time sheets been approved yet?

[LondonManc]

THIS ^

I find there isn't a need to buy doughnuts... Its the quality and value of the work I do for them that counts above all else...

There is an element of what PC said that's true - if there's a choice of bringing two contractors back, they'd rather have the likeable one that gets the beer in than the moody ****, all other things being equal.

[psychocandy]

8 years - 8 clients - Been backwards and forwards between some of those 8 clients so god knows how many individual engagements.

Some times working with more than one client at the same time.

You ?

Not really sure what this adds to the debate other than some sort of willy waving...

No offence DX - I was having a dig or otherwise. I'd say then its worked for you so far, so no problem. Perhaps you're more popular than you think then ;-)

I was just wondering if it was your first gig. IMHO all clients are different and one "approach" might not work for all. Like I said, yours seems cool fair play.

Me? 20 years+. Number of clients probably about 10-11 if I remember correctly. Maybe I need to be nice to permies to hide the fact that I'm clueless and a bit of nobhead?

[dx4100]

There is an element of what PC said that's true - if there's a choice of bringing two contractors back, they'd rather have the likeable one that gets the beer in than the moody ****, all other things being equal.

I get along with everyone I work with. I am polite and professional. I just am not buying you doughnuts

[LondonManc]

I get along with everyone I work with. I am polite and professional. I just am not buying you doughnuts

We've established by now that your doughnuts come with strings attached so I'd refuse on principle

[WTFH]

We've established by now that your doughnuts come with strings attached so I'd refuse on principle

I was going to make a comment about jam doughnuts with strings, but I won't.