IT Contractor with unreasonable "Business" Contractor in charge

[2BIT]

Anyway, is this not just a bit of a whinge?

well if you read it you'd know...

[fullyautomatix]

Paul, just remind him who the boss is, which in this instance is you, since you been in the company for donkey's years and he is just a clueless muppet who has just joined.

hth

(IDI)

[cojak]

A note to all you newbies out there. This is what happens when you post in General!

[Paddy]

Hello People!,
I very rarely post and don't read this board often!, But the few times in the past I've found most the responses helpful!. It's always good to get other opinions (IMHO)!.

Anyway let me explain my situation and the "issue"

1. Long time permy employ at Company A (10 years), left for dream permy job at Company B
2. 2 Years at company B due to personal issue (i.e. money!) started looking for a contract, coincidently someone at Company A said they have serious issues and would I like a contract.
3. Start contract at Company A, six month's in renewed, constant praise, everyone loves me, etc etc etc.
4. 3 Years later now on a contract without a termination date (6 months notice period to terminate on either side)
5. Most people I knew have moved off to project A, and project B, etc, I get very little contact from others.
6. 1 Year ago new "business" contractor brought in so permy people can work on Project A and Project B without having to handle the legacy system (the one I'm a contractor on)
7. New "business" contractor makes wilde accusations, only either verbally, to me, saying things's like I'm going to be terminated soon (he was informing me as a friend), that he's had complaints I'm uncontactable, he's had complaint's I don't answer email's, I'm difficult and unfriendly to work with.
8. Quite shocked, I email asking for specific's and he's yet to reply and from previous "issues" he won't say particulars in email's only "over the phone in a friendly contractor to contractor way".

He mentioned one insident where I didn't reply to an email for 3 days, I explained that's bound to happen and every does he, he said that's not what my contract say's (it doesn't mention any timelines or availability at all).

Personally I think he's on a power trip and its bugging the hell out of me, the problem is he's drawing me in "emotionally" by saying things like "infriendly", "difficult" which is obviously clouding my logical thought process!.

Any tips/advice would be greatful received as he is in the office everyday and I work remotely so his "words" are bound to negatively influence the people who sign off my invoices!..


Regards

Paul

That's an easy one.

You get some calling cards from the local massage parlour and slip them into in pockets. You get some lipstick and rub some off on to the back of his collar. You transfer a load if porn onto his PC together with the browse history. You get some foam filler and fill up his car exhaust pipe.

[OwlHoot]

Maybe if your project has been superceded, this guy sees you as surplus to requirements, or even hampering the clean break from your project to the replacement which would allow him to put on his CV "managed transfer from grottyoldcode to shinynewcode".

Also, he may think he can get brownie points by trying to ease you out and reduce the headcount.

Or perhaps, unknowingly, you've been dismissive towards him and he's simply taken against you. Happens.

Or maybe he is just a patronising control freak who gets a buzz out of trying to intimidate people and sow doubt and discord - They are around, sadly, although well run companies soon weed them out.

[EternalOptimist]

There are some people (and Im not having a go at MF here) who have serious personality disorders. not quite mad , but close.

from what you have said, is it possible that this fellow is trying to get into the position of being indispensible ?

of course anyone who has ever managed an organisation knows that having an 'indispensible' staff member is a criticism, not a compliment

[MarillionFan]

There are some people (and Im not having a go at MF here) who have serious personality disorders. not quite mad , but close.

from what you have said, is it possible that this fellow is trying to get into the position of being indispensible ?
of course anyone who has ever managed an organisation knows that having an 'indispensible' staff member is a criticism, not a compliment

Yeah....WHS

In all seriousness though you need to understand the driver for his behaviour. Maybe what EO says.

I regularly replace legacy systems and people, but I prefer to empower people and bring them on. For those who do the opposite it is because they are threatened or because they are not confident in their own abilities. You need to work out which and then strategise.

Personally I still prefer my 'feck off' demeanour. ;-)

[OwlHoot]

If it'll help I have hundreds of ebooks on Management, including quite a few along the lines of "How to deal with a toxic boss".

If you're still puzzled, after all the above sage advice, ping me your email address and I'll send you a few.

[thunderlizard]

Don't lose sight of the facts of the case: Company A is your customer. You are its supplier. "Business contractor" is also its supplier. "business contractor" is your competitor. It's his job to try and edge you out and get one of his own guys in instead. This doesn't make your situation any better, but it might help to make it seem less surprising.

[cojak]

Also this is a case study for all those contractors who say "I don't do politics".

If you don't you'd better start learning, anyone who's worked 'alongside' one of the Big 4 consultancies will know what I mean...

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/projectfai...-projects/1126

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/19990914a.asp