Workplace stuff as a contractor

[theroyale]

In my third week of a (several month) contract. Just got told off for stepping outside the building twice this morning for taking two phone calls - each about four minutes each. Apparently one of the big bosses have noticed. My line manager was fair about it, he said considering the team in general is overloaded (reason for my hiring) everyone has a duty to 'seem' busy. But he also said, "I wouldn't ask you to take as much note of it if you were permanent, but you're a contractor..."

This is my first time contracting, and already I can't help getting this niggling feeling that as a contractor you walk a much tighter line on playing conditions (phone calls/internet/breaks...)?

What do the others think?

[northernladuk]

In my third week of a (several month) contract. Just got told off for stepping outside the building twice this morning for taking two phone calls - each about four minutes each. Apparently one of the big bosses have noticed. My line manager was fair about it, he said considering the team in general is overloaded (reason for my hiring) everyone has a duty to 'seem' busy. But he also said, "I wouldn't ask you to take as much note of it if you were permanent, but you're a contractor..."

This is my first time contracting, and already I can't help getting this niggling feeling that as a contractor you walk a much tighter line on playing conditions (phone calls/internet/breaks...)?

What do the others think?

LOL that is really tight! Sounds like you in for one crappy time there IMO... Did you point out it was too noisy at the time to take in the office? or it was work but didn't want to distrub others in the very quiet office. They are just the work related reasons on top of fact you by law have to take work breaks. It was very personal call etc etc...

[TheFaQQer]

Sounds very much like direction and control to me if they are restricting the amount of time you can take on a phone call!!

Tell them that they need to put any complaints in writing and send it to your employer, and you'll make sure that it gets the attention it deserves.

Are you paid my the hour or by the day? Not that it makes that much difference - you get paid for the work you do, so do it. When you have breaks is nothing to do with them, to be honest - if they really kick up a fuss, tell them that you are making sure that you don't fall foul of the Working Time Directive which would leave their company open to any claim. That should be enough to get them to back off.

[theroyale]

Did you point out it was too noisy at the time to take in the office?

Their point was that personal calls were to be restricted to the lunch break. I wasn't on a break when I took those calls.

Are you paid my the hour or by the day?

Hour... and I suspect that might have something to do with this.

[TheFaQQer]

Hour... and I suspect that might have something to do with this.

Make a note of how long the call took, and make sure you add that onto the end of the day to work your hours.

Simples.

At the end of the day, the client doesn't own you. You don't work for the client, you work for yourself - one of the reasons I work for myself is so I don't have to deal with cretins like this. This kind of thing that early in a contract would set my alarm bells ringing, and I'd be looking for a better opportunity elsewhere.

[lukemg]

Defo sets the warning bells off something like this, it never works trying to control every minute, people will waste time in other ways. Having said that, as a contractor I expect to be the most useful person around, I never get sick, rarely have time off, I turn up as expected, I put in the required effort, I don't slag the place off, within reason I will go above/below/beyond initial brief if this will help and I will get on with everyone even if I hate them (one chap invited me to his wedding, I couldn't stand him but he had no idea).
If the money and location are good I can work virtually anywhere for 13 weeks. Hiring manager probably had some fun getting the budget for a contractor, senior cant help but give him grief when he sees you - thought you were busy etc. You need the hirer to pitch for you in the future, help him out and skip the calls.

[SueEllen]

This is my first time contracting, and already I can't help getting this niggling feeling that as a contractor you walk a much tighter line on playing conditions (phone calls/internet/breaks...)?

What do the others think?

That the company are a***holes?

Regardless of whether you are a permie or contractor unless you are working in customer service/support there is no reason for them to have a fit with you for taking a personal call outside the office so that you do no disturb other people in the office.

[Spacecadet]

sounds like my first contract.

The entire company including the owners worked in one open plan office

TBH that crap experience made me more committed to be a contractor, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I'd hate to have taken a permie position there, in fact one of the permies was let go during my time because he wasn't a "good fit" in the company.

[MarillionFan]

In my third week of a (several month) contract. Just got told off for stepping outside the building twice this morning for taking two phone calls - each about four minutes each. Apparently one of the big bosses have noticed. My line manager was fair about it, he said considering the team in general is overloaded (reason for my hiring) everyone has a duty to 'seem' busy. But he also said, "I wouldn't ask you to take as much note of it if you were permanent, but you're a contractor..."

This is my first time contracting, and already I can't help getting this niggling feeling that as a contractor you walk a much tighter line on playing conditions (phone calls/internet/breaks...)?

What do the others think?

I once had a simlar situation. Taking some personal calls during the day and talking to a colleague about non-related work issues were cited as a reason for me to be terminated from a contract after a week. It was an open plan office and everyone was very cliquey and very dull.

It works both ways. Hour Lunch = f**k it take an hour lunch. The hours are 9 - 5 and you moan if I turn up at 9.30 and go at 6. Then f**k it, it's 9 and the second the bell hits 5, you are out of the door.

They sound like assholes to be honest.

[nomadd]

Apparently one of the big bosses have noticed.

Ask to speak to "big boss", explaining that you are the Managing Director of your company. Then tell him to f**k off. Oh, and punch him. Hard.

You are a contractor. Take no sh--.

Oh, and maybe look for another contract.