Attending stupid employee meetings and IR35

[Jubber]

In the summer we were all required to attend an "event" (team bonding) with an overnight stay in tents!

Golly Gosh - where do you work? Who thinks up this nonsense ? I can honestly tell you that I would have no hesitation in telling the client where to go in good old fashioned Anglo Saxon terms.

[Sausage Surprise]

So you went back to the tents!?

Last time I attended one of these thing was back in the permie days and Andersons treated us all to a 3 day jolly at Charnock Richard. The room next door to mine had a particularly noisey bed all through the friggin night so at least two team members certainly 'bonded.'

Unfortunately yes...

[BolshieBastard]

In the summer we were all required to attend an "event" (team bonding) with an overnight stay in tents!
Myself and the other "long in the tooth" contractor exited the event through a hole in the hedge and spent the whole day in a local hostelry.

So you went back to the tents!?

Last time I attended one of these thing was back in the permie days and Andersons treated us all to a 3 day jolly at Charnock Richard. The room next door to mine had a particularly noisey bed all through the friggin night so at least two team members certainly 'bonded.'

[Sausage Surprise]

I am working with current client and contractors are being forced to attend fornightly 'Employee Involvement Communication' meetings. Also have to attend other employee training days and things along those lines.

I am really uncomfortable with this as I believe these things should be for employees only as in the title of the meeting. Of course it is difficult to refuse as sure they would just terminate my contract. But I am very unhappy with this situation as I feel I am working inside IR35 by attending such meetings.

Has anybody had experience of such things? In 16 years of contracting I never have but they have this policy of treating contractors the same as permies but of course this is the exact opposite of what I want!

Also been told hours of work are such and such. Again never had this ever before, generally people just do the hours of choice. So again feel I am being controlled by the client and again have IR35 worries.

Already decided I won't renew because of all this and think I have good grounds but what to do in the meantime.

In the summer we were all required to attend an "event" (team bonding) with an overnight stay in tents!
Myself and the other "long in the tooth" contractor exited the event through a hole in the hedge and spent the whole day in a local hostelry.

[cherhill]

Had similar issues with a contract in the past, when I had to have a 'word' with the client contact and remind her that we are a B2B relationship and not E2E. I eventually did not accept an extension.

Does your contract say that you have fixed working hours too?

No contract just says weekly hours and not what times they should be.

Problem I have really is there quite a few contractors on site and all of them attend. If I was a lone contractor then I could just refuse but I can't really do that without looking like I am being awkward and they are not amenable anyway.

Thanks for the advice. It's as I thought I either suck it up or find somewhere else.

The good thing is it's a rubbish rate, a boring role and the rate isn't great. So not a biggie really.

[FatLazyContractor]

I am working with current client and contractors are being forced to attend fornightly 'Employee Involvement Communication' meetings. Also have to attend other employee training days and things along those lines.

I am really uncomfortable with this as I believe these things should be for employees only as in the title of the meeting. Of course it is difficult to refuse as sure they would just terminate my contract. But I am very unhappy with this situation as I feel I am working inside IR35 by attending such meetings.

Has anybody had experience of such things? In 16 years of contracting I never have but they have this policy of treating contractors the same as permies but of course this is the exact opposite of what I want!

Also been told hours of work are such and such. Again never had this ever before, generally people just do the hours of choice. So again feel I am being controlled by the client and again have IR35 worries.

Already decided I won't renew because of all this and think I have good grounds but what to do in the meantime.

Had similar issues with a contract in the past, when I had to have a 'word' with the client contact and remind her that we are a B2B relationship and not E2E. I eventually did not accept an extension.

Does your contract say that you have fixed working hours too?

[BolshieBastard]

I had this at an electronic monitoring company, I even had to go on a week's induction course but was eventually able to discuss it amicably with senior on site managers.

If your client is as amenable, you may be able to explain how these things arent good for you or them but generally you'll come up against a brick wall of resistance.

The only real option is to find another role elsewhere or suck it up while in the contract.

I wouldnt advise anyone to just not turn up as this is often a good way to antagonise your client.

[tarbera]

Had this in one of my previous contracts. I just didn't show up and no one ever mentioned it.

This

And if they insist say you presume they are paying your holiday pay then

[Eirikur]

Had this in one of my previous contracts. I just didn't show up and no one ever mentioned it.

[cherhill]

I am working with current client and contractors are being forced to attend fornightly 'Employee Involvement Communication' meetings. Also have to attend other employee training days and things along those lines.

I am really uncomfortable with this as I believe these things should be for employees only as in the title of the meeting. Of course it is difficult to refuse as sure they would just terminate my contract. But I am very unhappy with this situation as I feel I am working inside IR35 by attending such meetings.

Has anybody had experience of such things? In 16 years of contracting I never have but they have this policy of treating contractors the same as permies but of course this is the exact opposite of what I want!

Also been told hours of work are such and such. Again never had this ever before, generally people just do the hours of choice. So again feel I am being controlled by the client and again have IR35 worries.

Already decided I won't renew because of all this and think I have good grounds but what to do in the meantime.