How many contracts have you done where...

[Kanye]

You conveniently missed this bit of my post: If you are a wuss who just sits there talking s-h-i-t from anyone, then please feel free to skip this thread.

It's not about being a wuss - it's an implied part of the reason we get hired and get paid the big bucks. We're a resource in there to do a job with the minimum of drama and complication.

As a permie I felt more of a responsbility to get stuff done right and change the place for the better, but as a contractor I accept that I'm a just skilled resource helping them to meet their (potentially misguided) goals. I'll operate within their crapness and keep invoicing with a clear concscience.

[nomadd]

It's not about being a wuss - it's an implied part of the reason we get hired and get paid the big bucks. We're a resource in there to do a job with the minimum of drama and complication.

As a permie I felt more of a responsbility to get stuff done right and change the place for the better, but as a contractor I accept that I'm a just skilled resource helping them to meet their (potentially misguided) goals. I'll operate within their crapness and keep invoicing with a clear concscience.

Pretty unprofessional, IMHO. Although, of course, I'm perfectly prepared to accept if you have a different opinion.

In my experience - admittedly shaped by probably too many Banking clients - if you take the approach of "I'll just sit here quietly and invoice" then you simply make things worse for yourself. If you don't confront problems head-on, and early, then you just leave yourself in a world of grief from a bunch of psychopaths. I've found that by confronting these people, strongly and early, they always clear off and hassle someone else for the rest of my stay on a contract. I'd much rather things didn't have to get this inflamed, but with some people it's the only approach - or at least the only approach I've found that works!

I guess it also depends on your role on a contract. I tend to work at an Architect/Team Lead sort of level reporting to Directors - and those Directors expect results. That's fine, as that's what you've signed up for. But when you have situations or people who are getting in the way of that delivery, then it's simply not an option to "sit there quietly, say nothing and invoice."

As always, other opinions welcome.

[Kelstar]

Its only my 3rd contract, so perhaps I've been sheltered. But I simply just don't care enough....

I've been on the verge a few times, and then just thought to myself "so long as they pay my invoice, so long as they pay my invoice" over and over again in my head.

[alreadypacked]

I tend to pick my contracts more carefully, if I think the contract might have a high level of drama I walk away, no matter how much money it's paying.

HTH

[VectraMan]

I guess it also depends on your role on a contract. I tend to work at an Architect/Team Lead sort of level reporting to Directors - and those Directors expect results. That's fine, as that's what you've signed up for. But when you have situations or people who are getting in the way of that delivery, then it's simply not an option to "sit there quietly, say nothing and invoice."

There's a big difference between not sitting there quietly, and getting stressed and losing it. If I was in a position where I was unable to deliver because of somebody, or some other outside influence, I'd certainly not sit there quietly. But I wouldn't shout, get annoyed and get stressed about it, but explain the situation to the management. Ultimately if you don't deliver because of something the management have chosen to ignore, you've done nothing wrong. It's on them, and assuming you can't leave the contract early all you can do is think about the cash and ignore the things that are beyond your control.

[Hot Mess]

Pretty unprofessional, IMHO. Although, of course, I'm perfectly prepared to accept if you have a different opinion.

In my experience - admittedly shaped by probably too many Banking clients - if you take the approach of "I'll just sit here quietly and invoice" then you simply make things worse for yourself. If you don't confront problems head-on, and early, then you just leave yourself in a world of grief from a bunch of psychopaths. I've found that by confronting these people, strongly and early, they always clear off and hassle someone else for the rest of my stay on a contract. I'd much rather things didn't have to get this inflamed, but with some people it's the only approach - or at least the only approach I've found that works!

I guess it also depends on your role on a contract. I tend to work at an Architect/Team Lead sort of level reporting to Directors - and those Directors expect results. That's fine, as that's what you've signed up for. But when you have situations or people who are getting in the way of that delivery, then it's simply not an option to "sit there quietly, say nothing and invoice."

As always, other opinions welcome.

+1

I beleive it's primarily investment banking related. There are just too many stuffed suits with no real jobs, who think that hiring some contractors will make all their problems go away

Things slide into the pits of tulip when said managers expect the contractors to behave like permies, hang on their every word, and behave like obedient sheep.

As for the comment about "picking my contracts carefully "... How can you predict what a job's going to be like after an interview ? Not possible.

Looks like a lot of posters are happy to 'keep invoicing' no matter what. Just sad in my opinion. Life is too short. It would seem you aren't getting paid enough, have low self esteem or whatever.

You only live once so try to stop spending it being someone elses b1tch

[nomadd]

+1

I beleive it's primarily investment banking related. There are just too many stuffed suits with no real jobs, who think that hiring some contractors will make all their problems go away

Things slide into the pits of tulip when said managers expect the contractors to behave like permies, hang on their every word, and behave like obedient sheep.

As for the comment about "picking my contracts carefully "... How can you predict what a job's going to be like after an interview ? Not possible.

Looks like a lot of posters are happy to 'keep invoicing' no matter what. Just sad in my opinion. Life is too short. It would seem you aren't getting paid enough, have low self esteem or whatever.

You only live once so try to stop spending it being someone elses b1tch

+1

What I've also found in recent years is that respect for contractors has plummeted. Contractors seem to be lumped with Bobs these days as simply an "external resource ripe for abuse." Very annoying. And requires - unfortunately - a very firm hand in dealing with it; grief I'm sure we could all do without.

[rambaugh]

+1

As for the comment about "picking my contracts carefully "... How can you predict what a job's going to be like after an interview ? Not possible.

yes you can if they're repeat customers. If you've got about 3-4 previous clients and keep in touch with them regularly you might find you get repeat business from time to time. Sometimes its better the devil you know.

[nomadd]

yes you can if they're repeat customers. If you've got about 3-4 previous clients and keep in touch with them regularly you might find you get repeat business from time to time. Sometimes its better the devil you know.

True. But in my experience, it is difficult to always rely on repeat business.

I have to admit, I've walked from many interviews in recent years as I could just see the grief from a mile off. And, of course, a lot of clients and agents feed you a stack of lies at the interview, only for you to turn up and find the reality somewhat different!

[rambaugh]

True. But in my experience, it is difficult to always rely on repeat business.

I have to admit, I've walked from many interviews in recent years as I could just see the grief from a mile off. And, of course, a lot of clients and agents feed you a stack of lies at the interview, only for you to turn up and find the reality somewhat different!

Ofcourse it doesn't stop repeat customers feeding you a pack of tulip just to get you back through the door again. But at least you're wiser for it which might be better at times than going in to the unknown.