New Contract Position

[seaninit]

Hello All,

I started an IT contract position at Microsoft about 2 weeks ago. Something happened to me today that seriously is bothering me. I went to my project manager of the company that I'm contracting through because I noticed he didn't include 2 hours of work I complete on one of the days of my time sheet. What happened that day was that I went to work at the expected time but when I got there my network credentials had been disabled. I spent the next two hours working on (calling the helpdesk) and working with other employees to determine what the issue was and how to get my access back. I was told by my Microsoft Lead there to go ahead and go home because there wasn't anything I could really do without network access. During the time I was there I wasn't only working on the issue with my network access I was also training and reading to wrap up on the new job. I went to work the next day and my network access was back. The issue had to do with the process of configuring my network profile.

Like I said I had went to my Project Manager (approver of my time) to inquire about the missing hours. He told me he didn't agree that I should be able to bill for those 2 hours that I was there.

I have over 8 years experience contracting and I have never ran across something like this, which to me under minds my faith in this company and how fairly they will treat me in the future. I don't know quite what to do? A part of me wants to resign the position out of principle and another is screaming you can't do that because of the job market and financial strains I'm dealing with. I'm asking for your perspective on this and suggestions on how I should handle it?

Thanks,

Sean

[NotAllThere]

Moved to a better forum for this subject.

FWIW, I'd move on. It's probably an indication of things to come.

[jmo21]

You mention "project manager of the company that I'm contracting" through.

Is this person actually PM'ing the work you are doing at MS, or is he just approving your timesheet?

If he is PM'ing the project, then this is a sign that budgets are tight and this project may be a pain in the ass.

If he is only sorting your timesheet, then this "company" are going to be a pain in the ass full stop!

[cojak]

Moved to a better forum for this subject.

FWIW, I'd move on. It's probably an indication of things to come.

WHS.

You should have been paid. With only 2 weeks into contract this is not good. Stick with it but look for another contract in the meantime.

And be very aware about how much work you do in the future without 'official' sign-off. I'm afraid that if you're too helpful and work beyond your remit, you might not get rewarded.

[Ardesco]

I would tell him where to stick it personally.

Start looking for something new now and jump ship as soon as you find it IMHO.

[The Wikir Man]

I would tell him where to stick it personally.

Start looking for something new now and jump ship as soon as you find it IMHO.

WHS.

If I am on client site, I expect to get paid for that time. You were trying to resolve their **** up, you were preparing yourself to do more work, and you were working with others to help solve the problem. You should be paid for the work that you did.

If you need the money, then you're stuck really, and will have to either argue it or suck it up. If you don't, then I would argue that they are in breach of contract for not paying you for the time that you worked, and walk.

Did you opt out of the agency regulations in writing before being introduced to the client? If you didn't, then the agency has to pay you, regardless. As long as you can prove you were there, then they have to pay you, and if the client is not happy with the work that you did, then they would have to recover that through the courts.

[norrahe]

Start looking for a new contract NOW! This sounds like it will only get worse and it is not benefitting you in any way financially.

[BolshieBastard]

Have a word with the guy and tell him to sign for the 2 hours or you'll fill him in. Violence is your friend.

[d000hg]

They're lucky they can send you home and only pay for the time you are there. Not paying for time due to their mistake is outrageous, kick up a stink. Complain to your agent perhaps, that's what they're for.

[darmstadt]

If I am on client site, I expect to get paid for that time. You were trying to resolve their **** up, you were preparing yourself to do more work, and you were working with others to help solve the problem. You should be paid for the work that you did.

WHS.

I actually charge from the time I am on the company premises (even if it means a 10 minute walk from the carpark to my office) until the time I leave regardless.