Being asked to help recruit for my replacement!

[MrHelpful]

Update guys... I got a 3 month extension - extended handover. Now I am in the predicament do I still continue with a complete brain dump / document my knowledge and hand hold my replacement (who is not the quickest of the mark) through as well as let him take over my team (where he only cares about himself) ... he has annoyed me already by making a comment along the lines of I have been here 20 years and the firm owe me a job...they should replace all of the few remaining contractors... pfft "the firm" owe him a kick up the a** and makes me wonder why employment law has meant employers are "reluctant" to sack anyone or is it just the MASSIVE pension pot which is growing deeper and deeper.

I know I can save the company significant £££ but only if I get some respect back. Your views

[TheFaQQer]

You're not going to get back to where you were - management aren't going to thank you for making them look silly by putting an incompetent in place.

From here, I would make sure that the management chain have a clear understanding of exactly what efforts you have made to provide as much information as possible to the new bod. When he does badly, you will probably get the blame as he can always fall back on the Homer Simpson "it's my first day" kind of line, and just tell management that you obviously didn't tell him what to do. If management are clear about how detailed your handover and training were, then that might put you back into a better position if they need to take you back on. Even if they can't / won't take you back on, at least they will realise that you did the best that you could.

If you are enjoying it there, then I would stay and do the best, most professional job that I could. If not, then move on and find something else to do - there's plenty of work out there to choose from, after all

[MaryPoppins]

Agree with the above. Make sure you document a handover pack for him and do the very best you can. Scrimping in any aspect of the handover will make you look petty.

It doesn't really matter what you think of the new guy, or how competant he is. The very nature of contracting is that we provide a temporary solution, and don't become "part and parcel"

Do your best and leave on a good note, cos who knows what their future requirements will be...

[KentPhilip]

I had to help in the interview process for my replacement in a contract once. Rather than bemoaning it you should look for opportunities. In my case one guy I interviewed was a bit rubbish, with a bad skills match, but he had just left a company who used people with my skills.
So I said to him that if he gave me a lead into his company then I'd get him through to second interview in mine.

[MrHelpful]

Cheers guys... I've etched a development plan for him for the next month with agreed weekly review/goals - where he should be with my manager this will allow them to see what progress has been made. I am far from petty and will be as helpful and professional as I can.

[ChimpMaster]

Cheers guys... I've etched a development plan for him for the next month with agreed weekly review/goals - where he should be with my manager this will allow them to see what progress has been made. I am far from petty and will be as helpful and professional as I can.

Surely you should be looking for your next contract? You're basically on a 3 month notice period, so, yes be professional etc, but don't forget to look after number 1.

[nomadd]

Cheers guys... I've etched a development plan for him for the next month with agreed weekly review/goals - where he should be with my manager this will allow them to see what progress has been made. I am far from petty and will be as helpful and professional as I can.

Like everyone else has recommended, keep it professional, don't take it personally, and do a decent job of the handover.

I've been dragged back twice to clients who let contractors go due to "budget reasons" - i.e. they felt they could get it done cheaper with rubbish permies. You never know, you might be winging you way back there within a few weeks...

Nomadd

[HairyArsedBloke]

(who is not the quickest of the mark) through as well as let him take over my team (where he only cares about himself) ... he has annoyed me already by making a comment along the lines of I have been here 20 years and the firm owe me a job...they should replace all of the few remaining contractors...

Make sure that senior management are made fully aware of his sense of entitlement. They will want to know, if they don't then take a short position on the companies stock.

[BolshieBastard]

Frankly, you're daft if you bring the guy upto speed. And as for documenting a handover pack for any, **** that!!

You'll be lucky if they keep you on irrespective of how good a job you make bringing the guy upto speed. The client has indicated you are surplus to requirements.

I'd never do a full handover and neither would any other contractor, despite what they say.

[Ruse]

Frankly, you're daft if you bring the guy upto speed. And as for documenting a handover pack for any, **** that!!

You'll be lucky if they keep you on irrespective of how good a job you make bringing the guy upto speed. The client has indicated you are surplus to requirements.

I'd never do a full handover and neither would any other contractor, despite what they say.

That's absolute bull*%*t and the kind of thing that gives the rest of contractors a bad rep. As a contractor you are being paid good money to fulfill the clients requirements. If the client needs you to fully document your role and do a handover to your permie replacement then that is what you do.
Why burn your bridges with a client who you might want to work for again in the future ?

A year ago I helped a client recruit a replacement for me doing all the techie interviews and choosing the best person available. I fully documented my work there to assist in the handover. As a result the client had a lasting positive impression of me and when they are recrutiing for contractors again will have me at the top of their list.