User Profile

[Dorkeaux]

It's very possible that the client doesn't care if you show up on site or not beyond the first one or two visits.
That's my experience, contract terms or not.

Beyond that, I'd reconsider public transit. Agro to be sure, but safer and you might even get a nap in.

Not...

[Dorkeaux]

Me as well.

I'm a senior guy, but have no problem adjusting my rate to what the market will bear at the time.
I don't understand contractors who believe "I am worth X!", as if they can move the market with the sheer force of their will.

We are all trying to...

[Dorkeaux]

That's it. Well found.
Might be a good option for managing mobility and pain while waiting for a knee replacement on the NHS....

[Dorkeaux]

Indeed, this.
A close colleague of mine was diagnosed years ago. Very fit otherwise, but can barely walk. Both knees need replacing.
Hasn't got a surgery date yet.

But stick your hand in your pocket, you can get it done immediately. Probably by the same surgeon as the NHS....

[Dorkeaux]

Mary Fishmas, All.
Also a Herpe New Year.

[Dorkeaux]

Agree with the Dyson cordless.
They do an "Animal" version with optimal accessories for pet hair.

I like the modular nature of the Dyson.
You have to learn how to clean the filters, and keep the vacuum itself clean.
Lots of third-party spares, useful to have...

[Dorkeaux]

I doubt the ClientCo HR blacklist lists the one-man limited company name.
It will be the contractor name that is blacklisted.

Also, ClientCo isn't wringing their hands over being on your one man band tulip list. No one cares.
On the other hand, ClientCos that have a greater...

[Dorkeaux]

Not. The agents are neuro-linguistically programmed to say this....

[Dorkeaux]

I did a little research, and come to find that a lot of big companies maintain blacklists.
It seems that this is legal, as long as you don't compile or use compiled lists across companies.
In the UK. In spite of GDPR.
This astonishes me. No transparency nor due process, some b*llen*...

[Dorkeaux]

Sorry to hear it.

That brings up an interesting point. At the risk of setting off the tinfoil hat enthusiasts.

What do you mean by "no-hire list"? Is this kept by the client, the agency or is it shared more broadly?
It sounds from your description like the...

[Dorkeaux]

I don't understand..

The FCSA page says they are UK based. True, but I can see on the Companies House website that they are owned by Quitron Holdings (a Uk company) that in turn is owned by Quitron Ltd, a Cypriot company.

So, is it risky for contractors to use them if the...

[Dorkeaux]

Bonne chance, geezer....

[Dorkeaux]

You should definitely speak to a specialist mortgage broker.
I used John Charcol around 20 years ago, a young lady there called Sara Maxwell was very helpful with our weird joint contractor/foreigner situation.

But this info might be very dated.
A LLM search brings up Freelancer...

[Dorkeaux]

My cousin contracts in this market, but in Ottawa.
Fascinating work, but very insular as far as I understand.
He's never out of work, but there are only a few dozen that do it in that market. Mainly the defense industry.
They get their work through word of mouth.

Avonleigh...

[Dorkeaux]

Certainly they will get their just desserts....

[Dorkeaux]

The often improvised and non-sensical vetting and demands for information that contractors are often subjected to really grinds my corn.

The photo might be for efficiency as mentioned. Were it requested in advance of an interview, i might be suspicious of racial, age or gender profiling....

[Dorkeaux]

Your use case is becoming more clear.
I think Unraid is a solid choice for home use, good on you for not cheaping out.
It makes good use of different-sized disks (as you know). Most traditional RAID schemes truncate the disk sizes to match the smallest drive in the pool.

Regarding...

[Dorkeaux]

I understand that for many people (particularly introverted dorks like us) work might be the prime (or only) opportunity to get out of the house and socialise.

But does no one else have clubs, choirs, temple/church/mosque, gigs, band practice, industry events, football matches, five a side...

[Dorkeaux]

AH haha... I did not recognise the quote, obviously. Trying to find an "embarrassed" emoji, this will have to do: ...

[Dorkeaux]

I'm rather old. I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and occasional walks. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I shrug and brush my teeth. If I get the urge to do 1000 stomach crunches and report it on a contractor forum I lie down until the feeling passes. In the shower...