Originally posted by washed up contractor
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Best way to respond to criticism as a contractor
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"You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR -
Originally posted by washed up contractor View PostI love reading the 'advice' given by some of the posters to threads like these. It makes me marvel at how some of them manage to complete a contract.
The OP needs to have a low key discussion with the PM and no, I wouldnt advise tailgating the person into the tea point as someone else always comes in at an inopportune time.
The OP needs to explain their 'routine' and offer apologies (not grovelling) for not keeping the PM in the loop and ask if they want the OP to book a room as an alternative to making calls in the car (seriously!?).
Then, the OP needs to understand that not all employees love the contractor culture and can make life quite difficult if they get a whiff of a contractor potentially taking the piss.
1. Low key, definitely.
2. You could have been binned easily enough, so toss your anger in the bin. Somebody is probably protecting you, or it would have happened -- maybe the PM likes your work.
3. Your discussion is simply this: there's a problem (environment is noisy for phone calls). You were trying to solve it without bugging the PM -- your role as a contractor is to make PM's job as easy and hassle free as possible. But you can see now you should have been keeping the PM informed of the situation. You are certainly open to any other solutions that are preferred, but what you've been doing works and you have the call logs to show it. If they really prefer that you make the calls in a noisy environment so everyone can see you, you'll do it, but your professional recommendation is that some other solution be found.
If the conversation goes well, ask if you can write to the agency saying that the miscommunication that triggered the earlier email has been resolved, and then do so with a copy to the PM.
All that said, if there are significant gaps in the call logs that mean you can't prove your claim if someone is suspicious, you are in trouble on this one. Just eat the criticism and learn from it and don't do it at the next contract.Comment
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Personally i would have a quiet word with the Programme Director to explain yourself but if you only have four weeks left (assuming no chance of renewal) run the clock down by doing your hours at your desk and no more even if it to the detriment of the project.
On one project the Project Manager had the day off and for some reason her boss decided to check what we were doing on the bug tracking system and noticed nothing new had been raised that day and sent an e-mail to the Project Manager suggesting the test team didn't do anything while she was to the office.
Had she asked we could have told her the test system was down for maintenance that day and we were test scripting,
Some people really need to get the full picture before wading in.Comment
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Originally posted by SueEllen View PostI didn't say ask for permission I said tell them where you are and why. That way you get rid of potential problems.I'm alright JackComment
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Originally posted by northernladuk View PostMaybe you should have read it as it isn't that long. Might have saved making yourself look like an idiot again.
The required hours are in his contact. Nothing to do with SD&C.
Adhering to clients core hours is a requirement of the gig. Nothing to do with SD&C
Adhering to clients working times is a matter of professional courtesy as we supply them a service. Even more so when the question of times is linked to a suggestion of not fulfilling contractual obligations. Checking a supplier is delivering is supplier management. Nothing to do with SD&C.
And where in my post does it say do what the superiors say?
Loving the fact you try point a virtually non existing IR35 issues and call them his 'superiors'. Smart.
The only mention of "required hours" is in the email the OP received from the PM. That doesn't mean there's anything contractually binding. The PM may simply be referring to the "standard office hours" that the permies work to, mistakenly thinking that the OP, as a contractor, should be bound to those same hours. It may well be a "professional courtesy" to keep the same hours as the permies, but (unless it really is part of the contract, which is unclear and hasn't been divulged by OP) it's certainly not a requirement.
The OP also states, "This has never been mentioned to me face to face, timesheets have always been signed". So the client has past form for implicitly accepting OP's behaviour and method of working.
Again, so long as the work is getting done, and the client is signing off timesheets - indicating they are happy with the OP and the work delivered - nothing needs to change. It sounds very much like a PM who is trying to throw their weight around and ensure everyone, whether permie or contractor, toes the same line, presumably only to make their own lives a bit easier.
And where in my post does it say do what the superiors say?
Loving the fact you try point a virtually non existing IR35 issues and call them his 'superiors'. Smart.Last edited by billybiro; 7 September 2017, 16:35.Comment
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Originally posted by BlasterBates View PostWorking off premises should be contractually agreed. You can't just work at home, and whether you're in your car in the car park or at home makes no difference.
Secondly in my case it was agreed that I could work at home (or in another suitable premises). I didn't ask permission to do so as it was part of their flexible workplace policies they used to lure me in...
In the OP case he needs to explain politely that he was on-site, where he was and why as I stated before. If he kept fecking off to a meeting room in a different part of the building - and some client buildings are like a rabbit warren - to do his calls they still need to know he's on-site, where he is and why he keeps doing that."You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JRComment
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Originally posted by SueEllen View PostFirstly their car park is part of their premises. If there is an accident in their car park it is a lot of bother for them. I only know this because a death in a car park happened at another client of mine, and they went around doing health and safety assessments in all their car parks then put warning signs everywhere. Some of the warning signs caused lots of amusement.
Secondly in my case it was agreed that I could work at home (or in another suitable premises). I didn't ask permission to do so as it was part of their flexible workplace policies they used to lure me in...
In the OP case he needs to explain politely that he was on-site, where he was and why as I stated before. If he kept fecking off to a meeting room in a different part of the building - and some client buildings are like a rabbit warren - to do his calls they still need to know he's on-site, where he is and why he keeps doing that.I'm alright JackComment
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Originally posted by BlasterBates View PostExactly there was a contractual understanding, so you didn't need to ask permission (verbally amend the contract) but the OP should. The car park is not suitable as a work place, and I think they would not consent to people working there. If the work place where he is expected to work isn't suitable he needs to make new contractual arrangements. The company have designated a desk for the contractor to work at and they expect him to be there when he is working; there will also be a phone there which he is expected to use, he can't just go around the office willy nilly wandering into rooms using other peoples phones.
I haven't for the clients I've worked for in the last 4 years, who have been are a mixture of large blue chip, government and SME organisations. All of them used/use internet applications like Skype or Lync, and if they didn't work I was/am expected to use my mobile. Employees depending on their level are expected to use these internet applications for work purposes only, or if they are high enough given a phone though that is often a work mobile."You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JRComment
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Originally posted by SueEllen View PostYou made yet another presumption. This time that he has a desk phone.
I haven't for the clients I've worked for in the last 4 years, who have been are a mixture of large blue chip, government and SME organisations. All of them used/use internet applications like Skype or Lync, and if they didn't work I was/am expected to use my mobile. Employees depending on their level are expected to use these internet applications for work purposes only, or if they are high enough given a phone though that is often a work mobile.I'm alright JackComment
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Originally posted by SueEllen View PostYou made yet another presumption. This time that he has a desk phone.
I haven't for the clients I've worked for in the last 4 years, who have been are a mixture of large blue chip, government and SME organisations. All of them used/use internet applications like Skype or Lync, and if they didn't work I was/am expected to use my mobile. Employees depending on their level are expected to use these internet applications for work purposes only, or if they are high enough given a phone though that is often a work mobile.
Oh, how we laughed. Really enjoyed that gig!Comment
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