contractors getting slagged off by permies after they leave their contract,references

[Rebecca Loos]

Sandy, this has got nothing to do with the fact that he is a contractor - if he was a permie, he'd do the same. There are some bad contractors, there are some bad permies. There are some good contractors, there are some good permies (OK I am stretching it there, but bear with me)

I don't think there are any reasons to think contractors are more unprofessional than permies. There will always be the odd exception, but since we contractors have to be professional at all times to survive (permies don't have to), on average contractors behave better.

A lot of unprofessional behaviour comes from office politics, and permies are usually more involved in that.

[Francko]

Sandy, this has got nothing to do with the fact that he is a contractor - if he was a permie, he'd do the same. There are some bad contractors, there are some bad permies. There are some good contractors, there are some good permies (OK I am stretching it there, but bear with me)

I don't think there are any reasons to think contractors are more unprofessional than permies. There will always be the odd exception, but since we contractors have to be professional at all times to survive (permies don't have to), on average contractors behave better.

A lot of unprofessional behaviour comes from office politics, and permies are usually more involved in that.

This post really shows your intricate personality. In the first part you start off with a theory against stupid generalisations but soon it completely contradicts his beginning ("we contractors have to be professional at all times to survive(permies don't have to)"). "A lot of unprofessional behaviour comes from office politics"... but not only as in this case (what does this statement has to do with the context?). Becca, what are you going to do when you grow up? I suggest you not to become a writer.

[voron]

Sandy, is the contractor acting in an unprofessional manner, or a professional manner? OK, there are ways to phrase criticism (it should be diplomatic), but I would argue the job is to point out failings.

If I weighed 25st and went to my doctor complaining that I couldn't breath properly, felt tired, couldn't work (etc.), what should he do? Should the doctor pat me on the back, or should he point out that I'm overweight and need to lose some otherwise I could die.

I have seen so many clients waste public money through incompetence, only to complain that nothing ever gets done properly. OK, are you serious about making the organisation more efficient? Good, in that case this is what's wrong and this is what you need to do to solve it...

[Rebecca Loos]

Franco, I was trying to highlight a trend, rather than a full blown generalisation. You are right, it is not right to apply the same pattern to all permies, or all contractors.

What I should have said is that successful contractors are professional.

But you will say "so do successful permies"

This is true.

Maybe the truth is that an unsuccessful contractor will die, whereas an unsuccessful permie can survive, even if he/sha can say good bye to promotions.

Oh and yes I'd love to be a writer funnily enough!
But I will have to forget it then

[BlasterBates]

Why the fuss, its quite simple really:


Permie =

Contractor =

+ =

[SandyDown]

Sandy, is the contractor acting in an unprofessional manner, or a professional manner? OK, there are ways to phrase criticism (it should be diplomatic), but I would argue the job is to point out failings.

If I weighed 25st and went to my doctor complaining that I couldn't breath properly, felt tired, couldn't work (etc.), what should he do? Should the doctor pat me on the back, or should he point out that I'm overweight and need to lose some otherwise I could die.

I have seen so many clients waste public money through incompetence, only to complain that nothing ever gets done properly. OK, are you serious about making the organisation more efficient? Good, in that case this is what's wrong and this is what you need to do to solve it...

Voron,
the doctor should tell you that you are overweight, but it is unprofessional, and even illegal for the doctor to sit in the pub shooting his mouth to all your relatives, work colleagues and clients about your medical problems and the fact that you may die (its called data protection act)!!!


As a manager I presume you have team members, if you your team member was going round to clients and managements criticising the team's work to the client constantly, though he knows more than anyone why things needed to be done in a less tha perfect way (i.e. the client is not cooperating, and the team is trying hard to correct things that has been missed etc) would you say that is professional, I think if he comes to you as a manager and explains his point of view in a one to one or even in one of the team meetings then I think this is professional, but to start shooting his mouth and deliberatly putting his permie team mates (who I think are working incredibly hard) and pretending to be so righteous is very unprofessional.


Rebecca: my point here is am fed up with all contractors here think that they are sooooo superior to anyone else, the fact is being a contractor means you like to work independently, i.e. most are not good team players,
I met some incredibly bitter and cowboys contractors, and I met some very very good contractors too ... exactly like permies some good and some bad.

[steve'O]

Well said! SandyDown well said!
Thats why I prefer the humorous approach on this site, the stuffy approach transmits too much of a superior manor.

By the way what would you like to have been I would be a Gigalo

[BlasterBates]

Rule 53 of Contracting
__________________


Always criticise permies behind their backs.

[Rebecca Loos]

Rule 54 of Permiedom
_________________

Always try and team up with a contractor, as you can take the credit for their work, while pushing their way the blame for your crap work