Reply to: Legal issue to do with conduct

[rob s]

It's sometimes difficult to deal with the opposites - being both a business and being part of a 'team' or community in the workplace. We logically know that it's a B2B relationship, that we have a daily rate, if we don't think we're getting enough for what we have to put up with, we moveon.
We know this logically, but it still smarts when we're put into situations that a permie would find more support in getting it resolved. I think psychologists, or specifically those who deal with transactional analysis, call this 'cognitive dissonance' - where two opposing views fight to be reconciled in your own mind (I want to be treated as a business / I wanted to be treated as a human being). Simply acknowledging this to yourself reduces the stressor. Anyone who says 'suck it up buttercup' has probably already worked out how to do this, for the rest of us, it's something we have to learn*.



*whilst submitting our invoices and gently chuckling at least part of the way to the bank

[cojak]

That's the one Gonzo.

Guys/ Ladies, yes you are so right, I have moved on now, and its behind me.
Thanks for the advise.

[SandyD]

That's the one Gonzo.

Guys/ Ladies, yes you are so right, I have moved on now, and its behind me.
Thanks for the advise.

[Gonzo]

The last thing I want is to take this further and be like that contractor woman who took her client to court when they let her go claiming its because they knew she got pregnant.. not sure if anyone remembers that case?

Do you mean this one? http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...hats-debt.html

We know all about that one, or are there more?

[SueEllen]

There is the slight problem of my accent and the fact I don't pay for sod all that kinda gives it away

There was me thinking you were from further north.......

[northernladuk]

Just tell them you know they were actually born and brought up in Stockport or Warrington

There is the slight problem of my accent and the fact I don't pay for sod all that kinda gives it away

[sbakoola]

Video the bad mouthing on your iPhone / Android and put it on youtube.com as an example of what the company regards as normal behaviour.

[SueEllen]

You want to be the only Yorkshire guy at Cheshire client. Nowt more racist than posh folk!!!

Just tell them you know they were actually born and brought up in Stockport or Warrington

[SueEllen]

You seem to be making quite a fuss to say you want to go any further with it.

It's probably because it's the first time it's happened to him.

People are shocked that some people are more than jokey with their racist and sexist comments.

Until it happens to them or in front of them to someone they are close to, they believe everyone who complains about it is making a fuss.

[northernladuk]

I am British, but my family is all Irish, all my youth I've been called 'Paddy' - 'Mick' - 'Spud-thick Mick' - live with it, don't play the racist card, especially if you are proud of your heritage, what's the problem...?

You want to be the only Yorkshire guy at Cheshire client. Nowt more racist than posh folk!!!

[northernladuk]

Yes I should have recorded it or immediately reported it when the contractor claimed to be racist in front of everyone while everyone was there and heard it... but at the time I was still hoping things will settle.

The PM followed the process correctly, he forwarded to the directors who forwarded to HR who decided the agency is best placed to perform the initial investigation.

Anyway now they took statements from both of us and frankly I don't care what happens next, am focused on my new role.

The last thing I want is to take this further and be like that contractor woman who took her client to court when they let her go claiming its because they knew she got pregnant.. not sure if anyone remembers that case? I know its not the same situation at all, but I don't want to attract so much attention and as you know the contractor world is very small, now every new contract I start I end up meeting someone I worked with previously.

You seem to be making quite a fuss to say you want to go any further with it.

[stek]

I am British, but my family is all Irish, all my youth I've been called 'Paddy' - 'Mick' - 'Spud-thick Mick' - live with it, don't play the racist card, especially if you are proud of your heritage, what's the problem...?

[SandyD]

Yes I should have recorded it or immediately reported it when the contractor claimed to be racist in front of everyone while everyone was there and heard it... but at the time I was still hoping things will settle.

The PM followed the process correctly, he forwarded to the directors who forwarded to HR who decided the agency is best placed to perform the initial investigation.

Anyway now they took statements from both of us and frankly I don't care what happens next, am focused on my new role.

The last thing I want is to take this further and be like that contractor woman who took her client to court when they let her go claiming its because they knew she got pregnant.. not sure if anyone remembers that case? I know its not the same situation at all, but I don't want to attract so much attention and as you know the contractor world is very small, now every new contract I start I end up meeting someone I worked with previously.

[northernladuk]

Are we sure that the PM handled this badly..... or there is there another side to the story?

[tractor]

...

Get your camera phone and discretely record it next time.....

^This. Exactly. Anyone in this situation should always keep copious notes about everything said, dates, times and people present. Several times have I seen a court case given the way of the party with the best, most convincing recollection.

There are many organisations outside of the police that may take up your fight, should you decide to take it further. The fact that the clients' complaints procedure only applies to employees is a bit of a red herring. They have an obligation in law not to allow this kind of behaviour. What if the jerk was abusing a cleaner from an FM company. The client would still be obliged to investigate and take action if appropriate. The fact that there are racist undertones take the issue outside of a 'spat between contractors that simply don't get on'.