Project on hold

[XTC]

Working for an Investment bank, doing vb6/scripting for one of their projects which is now on hold. I have 5 weeks left of my contract and there is nothing for me to do at the moment so they want me to do audits... i.e running around asking users what hardware/software they use. Where do I stand, can I refuse and still keep my job. It's good money and I want to see out the remaining 5 weeks, but doing audits for 5 weeks doesn't sound like my cup of tea..

[BA to the Stars]

It's only 5 weeks. Do the audits and use the time to look for your next gig.

[Kyajae]

Working for an Investment bank, doing vb6/scripting for one of their projects which is now on hold. I have 5 weeks left of my contract and there is nothing for me to do at the moment so they want me to do audits... i.e running around asking users what hardware/software they use. Where do I stand, can I refuse and still keep my job. It's good money and I want to see out the remaining 5 weeks, but doing audits for 5 weeks doesn't sound like my cup of tea..

Are you a code monkey or an auditing monkey?

[XTC]

It's only 5 weeks. Do the audits and use the time to look for your next gig.

I don't have the attitude that I'm too good to be doing audits, but really I don't think I can handle walking around for 8 hours a day asking questions. I think I will be bored out of my mind after 2 days.

[DimPrawn]

Good way to meet attractive women.

[BA to the Stars]

Just keep thinking, they are paying me to do this. I agree that it could be mind numbing though.

[Epiphone]

Doesn't sound good from an IR35 perspective...

[TheFaQQer]

Working for an Investment bank, doing vb6/scripting for one of their projects which is now on hold. I have 5 weeks left of my contract and there is nothing for me to do at the moment so they want me to do audits... i.e running around asking users what hardware/software they use. Where do I stand, can I refuse and still keep my job. It's good money and I want to see out the remaining 5 weeks, but doing audits for 5 weeks doesn't sound like my cup of tea..

You're probably within your rights to say no - sounds very like direction and control to me.

[BlasterBates]

Basically they're being nice, well they don't want the hassle with the agency so it suits them, they don't really need you to do audits. Find a new contract and they'll let you go, and be thankful you're getting paid while doing it.

[Buffoon]

Ah, that old ploy: “If you can’t get anywhere with your own project, make sure that nobody can make any progress with theirs and so gain political advantage within the bank”.

Design an in-depth questionnaire and distribute it to your manager’s peers. Make sure that the questions are obscure and inconsistent. After a period of time that is too short to complete the questionnaire satisfactory, start chasing the recipients for responses. Issue an interim report to all managers requiring response. Produce a final report recommending a further detailed study, but also recommending that it is sponsored by a more senior member of staff because of the weak responses of those surveyed.