How to proceed with a conflictive team

[TheDev]

Hi everyone! I'll use this opportunity to introduce myself, new to the forum and having been a contractor on the same placement for five months now, even though it was an original agreement for two.

Over the last couple months another dev/contractor was hired to join me as a team and both take care of the project we've developed from scratch.

The dynamics between both of us are very weird and uncomfortable (at least for me) as he is always seeking for conflict and doesn't seem to put an effort on constructive criticism.

All that has taken me into a position I'm really not enjoying this placement, it's causing me anxiety and since it's a really small business I just want to move on and find another contract, but I'm not sure about the best way to proceed as my contract ends this week and they are very likely to offer me an extension.

1. Should I renew and then leave one this next month rolling extension comes to an end? (My least favourite option)
2. Should I renew and leave once I've found something else (something tells me it's not very professional and I'm not sure how much would that hinder my reputation)
3. Should I tell my recruiter about the situation to see if he can find another placement?

I'm feeling quite confused as I want to take the "least worst" option but I don't feel I have enough experience as a contractor to make my best judgement.

Any help would be really appreciated,

Thanks!!

[northernladuk]

Have we been invaded by some decision making sucking parasite which leaves the victim unable to decide what to do or something today?

First off if they have to offer you an extension you are not on a rolling contract. You are on one that is being extended towards the end of the current contract.

You've missed option 4 which is the one to do.

4) Decline the extension and leave when the contract ends.

You are then free to look around for new working without the problems of a notice period making it difficult. The more difficult it is the more time you have to spend time in a contract you don't want.

One of the reasons most people went contracting is to offer the flexibility about where they work and what they do. If they don't want a gig they leave and find another one. You are in exactly that situation so use one of the best benefits available to us and leave. You will have many contracts over your career so this will just a insignificant blip in your career.

IMO don't piss the client about renewing when you have no intention to stay.

[LondonManc]

Option 5) Grow some and discuss the issue with the other contractor.

[TheDev]

Thank you very much for your help, guys - really appreciated.

In terms of "growing some" the thing is we've already had that discussion with the other dev, our line manager and the CEO in the room where I brought his attitude up (after he had very unprofessional behaviour once) and even though, it just kept happening and it didn't feel like anyone put much weight into it - but for me, as it's a very unpleasant environment.

I agree - I don't want to piss the client off so I will just not extend it, really.
Thanks for your comments

[LondonManc]

Thank you very much for your help, guys - really appreciated.

In terms of "growing some" the thing is we've already had that discussion with the other dev, our line manager and the CEO in the room where I brought his attitude up (after he had very unprofessional behaviour once) and even though, it just kept happening and it didn't feel like anyone put much weight into it - but for me, as it's a very unpleasant environment.

Thanks for your comments

New information - always great after opinion has been given.

Line manager?

Why on earth did you raise it in front of the manager and the CEO? Not very classy of you.

[TheDev]

New information - always great after opinion has been given.

Line manager?

Why on earth did you raise it in front of the manager and the CEO? Not very classy of you.

Well, it was unprofessional behaviour so I raised it with my line manager, who then pulled the CEO in. It's a small business anyway, but I felt the need of someone else to address it, whilst also explain my version of the events.

It wasn't a blame game, but a "let's figure out the problem, be professional and move forward" meeting.

[northernladuk]

It wasn't a blame game, but a "let's figure out the problem, be professional and move forward" meeting.

Best way to do this is face to face with the problem person. Not going running to senior client management. Neither of you come out well in this situation. Clients really don't like contractors complaining about this type of thing. They'll listen to employees as they have to deal with it but not contractors. Gotta becareful in these situations. They are your client not your employer now.

[Hobosapien]

So move forward to the exit or get a thicker skin to handle the tulip of a contractor who appears to be trying to bully you out so he can be top dog.

I've had a few 'personality' clashes over the years and rather than turn down the invoicing potential I just let them get on with it and just concentrated on delivering what the client wanted, and laughed at the others getting sucked into permie style problems.

If you can sleep at night with the invoices rolling in then the rest is just noise. If not then move on. Life's too short if the stress is getting to you. Better to leave than end up decking the twunt, unless you like listening to Marillion.

[TheDev]

Best way to do this is face to face with the problem person. Not going running to senior client management. Neither of you come out well in this situation. Clients really don't like contractors complaining about this type of thing. They'll listen to employees as they have to deal with it but not contractors. Gotta becareful in these situations. They are your client not your employer now.

That's actually very useful, so thanks for your comment.

In the past I've been permanent to then run my own startup, so all those environments and the way you deal with this kind of conflict is very different, really.

Really appreciated and I will take this onboard!

[northernladuk]

That's actually very useful, so thanks for your comment.

In the past I've been permanent to then run my own startup, so all those environments and the way you deal with this kind of conflict is very different, really.

Really appreciated and I will take this onboard!

There are many ways of dealing with conflict. You can ignore, remove, reduce, move it and so on which many people don't realise. Have a read of this and see if any of these techniques will help. Sometimes nothing will work, particularly in a small company but worth a read of the future anyway.

Conflict Management Techniques