My hostile planner

[cojak]

Get yerself a Zoom H2, put it in your bag and record every conversation with it.

[PinkPoshRat]

As we are all security cleared, there are no cameras nor recording facilities.

The guy already has a reputation for behaving like a child and it looks like no further action is ever taken against him. I'm thinking that because he's been working on the project for the last 4 years, which is much longer than the vast majority (massively high turnover!!!) he thinks he is untouchable/irreplaceable?

As for derogative comments, well verbal abuse I can tolerate - I give as good as I get, but the physical... different game.

[northernladuk]

As we are all security cleared, there are no cameras nor recording facilities.

The guy already has a reputation for behaving like a child and it looks like no further action is ever taken against him. I'm thinking that because he's been working on the project for the last 4 years, which is much longer than the vast majority (massively high turnover!!!) he thinks he is untouchable/irreplaceable?

As for derogative comments, well verbal abuse I can tolerate - I give as good as I get, but the physical... different game.

I bet he is one of the guys that everyone knows is like this but they have absolutely no idea how to manage him so just push it under the table. Worked with a guy who was coming up to retirement and he was the most obstinate git I have ever met. Wouldn't do a thing he was told but as he kept threatening to bring a union rep in if you even bollocked him there was nothing you could do. He didn't actually do anything to get himself sacked so the only option was one of those constructive dismal processes which are near on useless.

The reason he still has a job is no one knows what to do with him and just says 'ah he does that sorry' type thing. If there is no recording allowed it is going to make it a lot tougher. You are going to have to document very clearly the situation, who present, argument over what and maybe a transcript if possible.

IMO it is starting to look like this will end badly (i.e. you walking or getting pushed for an easier life in the office) so I would start documenting madly now and wait. Again you could just sit and laugh or sit there smiling when he goes off on one to push him over the edge. Nothing worse than that to give someone red mist.

[nomadd]

No, proper escalation is part of the business process. If you're line managing someone who refuses to be line managed he needs to be set straight, or possibly given a written warning.

WHS.

Involve everyone you can, including your Agent and the Company HR people. Obviously, you must also report to a Manager somewhere, so report it to them, and make it clear if nothing is done about it you will escalate it to their manager. Give them a firm date, say 2 days. And put everything in writing, as you never know when you might need it.

I've been in this situation twice before - well, except without the physical threats bit (I'm 6 feet four and would flatten any permie who attempted to address me like that) - and escalation is the only way. If the person doesn't want to be managed by you, then S.E.P. - Someone Else's Problem. I had both the permies who didn't like working for me moved off the project, pronto. One eventually left the company of his own accord (about 3 months later), and the other was sacked (about 2 months later).

Not wishing to be rude, but please, grow some balls. Yes, I realise you are female so aren't going to get in a physical fight, but you are also a contractor and have to learn to stand up for yourself. Stop whining like a schoolgirl on this forum and just grow a pair - go and start chasing people, right now, and don't give up until you've seen some action. I've worked for 4 or 5 female PMs in my time, and they were all brilliant to work with. Not one of them would have put up with this c-r-a-p, not for a second. If they could handle it, then so must you. And if you can't do that, simply realise your limitations, pack the contract in, and move on.

[cojak]

Then make a formal complaint to HR. This does not make you look weak. This makes you look like the person who draws the line at unacceptable behaviour.

So basically you need to grow a back bone.

[thunderlizard]

Just sideline him and give his tasks to someone junior and more keen. If you're a contractor your job is presumably to achieve a business goal, not management for its own sake.

If it's the kind of project where somebody can have been a planner for 4 years, you should be able to do that without anyone noticing.

[jmo21]

Just sideline him and give his tasks to someone junior and more keen. If you're a contractor your job is presumably to achieve a business goal, not management for its own sake.

If it's the kind of project where somebody can have been a planner for 4 years, you should be able to do that without anyone noticing.

Reading through the thread, and this is exactly what I was thinking.

Do you have a risk register?

item 1 - "Nigel" will not work on tasks as per project plan etc

[rsingh]

I am pretty sure covert recording is inadmissable and bordering on illegal. It could quite easily breach client rules getting you instantly dismissed hence my comments about voicing the fact you are going to turn voice recording on or something.

I think I gave the wrong impression. I work in a building with cameras everywhere. I meant that op should ensure she only ever meets dickhead in a monitored room - nothing covert.

[northernladuk]

I think I gave the wrong impression. I work in a building with cameras everywhere. I meant that op should ensure she only ever meets dickhead in a monitored room - nothing covert.

Ahh got you sorry. As she says SC environment so that isn't going to happen unfortuantely but good point.

[lukemg]

I would use extreme sarcasm to destroy him while being as nice as pie and smiling, he is trying to intimidate, I would never give him the satisfaction.
'I do apologise, I thought this was part of your job, if you are struggling with the existing workload why don't we look at planning your day in 2-hour blocks to keep track of progress...'
I expect you will have meetings with seniors about the project, I would raise this as an aside, don't make a huge deal of it.
Just say - look, you should know Nigel is proving a threat to this project completing. Don't make it personal, it's all about the project.
Hiring manager is usually a good place to start with a quiet word as they hired you so feel some responsibility if you struggle.
These nobbers are always well known in a company, never get anywhere (builds their frustration as they become surrounded by people much younger) and are always first out when the cuts happen (he is a good advert for contractors though !).
Work on the rest of the team, make sure the others know how grateful you are etc
It is still likely to get ugly though so might be worth looking elsewhere.