Dealing with arsey people!

[jmo21]

But you could also argue as a contractor everyone on client site is your customer so may have to work harder at dealing with these people. Permies can hold grudges or even be open with their feelings towards other colleagues. As they are your customer you have to rise above it and not let it get in the way of your delivery so have to work harder at getting on with these people?

That's what I meant by "you still have to deal with them"

[psychocandy]

But you could also argue as a contractor everyone on client site is your customer so may have to work harder at dealing with these people. Permies can hold grudges or even be open with their feelings towards other colleagues. As they are your customer you have to rise above it and not let it get in the way of your delivery so have to work harder at getting on with these people?

other person is a contractor too!

[psychocandy]

Why doesn't incompetence send ££££££ signs flashing? More work to do, make the problem your own, lead by example, offer to sort it out......SELL SELL SELL!

mainly because I'm too old and cant be arsed to make myself look good just because some Bob knobhead is doing their best to make themselves look good... Cant be arsed.

[psychocandy]

Psychocandy, what is your relationship to the other contractor?

fellow team member. Luckily works at different site or would have chinned by now....

[Blackdog]

fellow team member. Luckily works at different site or would have chinned by now....

Have they recently joined the team or are you both new to this client? What sort of work do you do - are you in the same position in the food chain?

[BolshieBastard]

One of the reasons I like contracting is because I don't want to get involved with all the usual permie tulipe. As such, I go to client and try and get on with everyone and act in a professional manner. If I get bad attitude I usually ignore it and let it slide for a bit....

One thing I can abide is rude people especially when you are trying to help them. No-one speaks to me like tulipe even if your the CEO of client.

Got a right one at current client (who is contractor as well!) who seems to have a stroppy answer for every email they send me....

Like I said, my approach is to ignore for a bit, but eventually report this focusing on the fact that being argumentative is affecting productivity. Well aware of the fact that the last thing clients wants is whingers...

Whats everyone elses approach? Apart from chinning other contractor....

This being a contractor and not getting involved in office politics is overplayed considerably imo. It doesnt matter whether you are there as a body to deliver or a body to manage, you get caught up in it sooner or later because

a, the permies dont give a flying one whether you're a contractor or not, they want to make themselves look good,
b, other contractors on your project \ area want to make sure they get extended in preference to you
c, the project manager want to ensure he has value for money and visibility of bodies on the project.

True, you dont have appraisals to worry about (or do you because how exactly do they decide to extend you or not?) but the chances of you not being caught in this tulipe is minimal at best.

Just my opinion after 15 years contracting though.

[northernladuk]

Have they recently joined the team or are you both new to this client? What sort of work do you do - are you in the same position in the food chain?

Anyone else thinking Blackdog might be the other guy??

[psychocandy]

Have they recently joined the team or are you both new to this client? What sort of work do you do - are you in the same position in the food chain?

LOL. Both been there a while now. Yep same as far as Im concerned.

[snarfblat]

You play, but in different ways.

Being old helps. I am certainly not fussed about things I would have been 20-30 years ago. I can wow the youngsters with batch files, space invader and big iron stories.

They are bringing me in as the expert to solve problems. That can go either way.

Politics, I build great relationships right away. My motives are different. The permie wants to get the next promotion or next assignment. I want to get buy in to get this blasted thing done right and on time. The permie is self-serving. I am for the project and just making life easier.

It is easier to stay out of the water cooler gossip and petty rivalries as a consultant.

[psychocandy]

You play, but in different ways.

Being old helps. I am certainly not fussed about things I would have been 20-30 years ago. I can wow the youngsters with batch files, space invader and big iron stories.

They are bringing me in as the expert to solve problems. That can go either way.

Politics, I build great relationships right away. My motives are different. The permie wants to get the next promotion or next assignment. I want to get buy in to get this blasted thing done right and on time. The permie is self-serving. I am for the project and just making life easier.

It is easier to stay out of the water cooler gossip and petty rivalries as a consultant.

And I certainly try to also. Because I can't be arsed. Not interested at all in making myself look good.

And yes, got to keep the permies happy...

But pisses me off when a fellow contractor plays the game and tries to make themselves look good in front of client to others detriment. Unfortunately, the bob variety seem very anxious to ensure they look good and to be fair, they are very good at it - better than me.

But its different being a contractor. Client generally does not want to hear the whinging about others.