Reply to: Carpeted

[ShandyDrinker]

Sounds like the gig from hell... tbh I'd just flip them the bird and terminate. Life's too short to put up with ****.

As for Agile stand-ups and pair programming, that sort of stuff just makes me want to quit software engineering and grow sheep somewhere. I mean, who comes up with this stuff FFS - trouble is all the undergrads just lap it and think it's the best thing since sliced bread...

This is part of the problem with Agile - too many people wanting to join the bandwagon. While I am sure there are many projects out there which could be considered a success, I have seen far too many not deliver within promised timescales under Agile. That and the fact that I agree with many of the points made in this blog post by Michael O. Church means that I'm yet to be convinced about Agile. However, in the defence of Scrum, I have never yet seen it implemented properly in organisations both large and small. Many places say they are "doing Agile/Scrum" but limit it to a daily stand up (or conference call) in order to batter people over the heads for what they are/aren't delivering.

Must confess I would probably go nowhere near anywhere claiming to be Agile if I can at all help it.

I'd be limiting my options if I avoided anything that stated Agile... that is until the next silver bullet comes along.

[SussexSeagull]

Must confess I would probably go nowhere near anywhere claiming to be Agile if I can at all help it.

[Dark Black]

Sounds like the gig from hell... tbh I'd just flip them the bird and terminate. Life's too short to put up with ****.

As for Agile stand-ups and pair programming, that sort of stuff just makes me want to quit software engineering and grow sheep somewhere. I mean, who comes up with this stuff FFS - trouble is all the undergrads just lap it and think it's the best thing since sliced bread...

[psychocandy]

This is what happened to me (only once in 10 years!). Programme Manager didn't like the truth - took them 2 weeks to trump up some "incompetency" accusations for the Agency to terminate me.
Saw it coming and had already got a start at an old client for the following week.
Took it personally when it happened but looking back...meh!

Yep. I've had similar. At the time I got a bit upset about it but then you realise - hang on I've been doing this for x years at x different places and you're the only ones to find fault with me. Then you realise its not you....

[Sausage Surprise]

If this happened to me I'd just walk back to me desk and ignore it. And wait for the boot.

This is what happened to me (only once in 10 years!). Programme Manager didn't like the truth - took them 2 weeks to trump up some "incompetency" accusations for the Agency to terminate me.
Saw it coming and had already got a start at an old client for the following week.
Took it personally when it happened but looking back...meh!

[psychocandy]

I feel for you, gumbo. Sounds pretty horrific. I'd say throw the CV out there and see what comes up and in the meanwhile smile, nod and just keep working as normal.

When you head off to the next role, hopefully with a nice rise to boot, and they're fretting about finding someone new to take over the work... you can just smile inwardly. Being a good place to work is a two way street.

I'm a get in do my work, get out type of guy. So I have struggled with this in a few places.

I remember an interview where the bloke took me out for a beer with some of the team. I had one and stopped, they were fair knocking them back. They weren't interested in talking about anything technical or work related, they just wanted to 'get to know me'. Fair enough loads of people would love that but it was one of the reasons that I turned the offer down. Sorry not looking for drinking buddies and if that's how you pick people then it's just a big concern. No technical test? How do you know I'm any good? Disaster waiting to happen, too much risk.

I go out of my way to help anyone that needs it, I never throw anyone under the bus and I'm proud of the quality of work I deliver. Like you I'm just not the 'Hey guys' type of fellow and when I want a coffee I don't want to faff around for ten minutes making it into a team bonding exercise.

Fitting in is a two way street. Just because the loudest extroverts like things one way doesn't mean it's the right way.

To be honest, I prefer the gigs where they look at you as a person rather than a blob in the corner. If you're a contractor you've got to fit in. Within reason of course but no client wants a stroppy miserable git no matter how clever they are.

Current gig is cool like that I must admit.

[jmo21]

I hate places where there is a "who wants a coffee" brigade.

I'll get mine as and when I want it thank you very much.

As for the wider "carpeting", that sucks OP, I would have struggled to hide my rage being forced to have that conversation.

As others have said, get your CV out there, and move on.

[mrv]

Regarding tea making, there's a cafe downstairs where you can get a good strong cup of coffee.

I go down there.

Everyone else makes their own instant stuff in the kitchen.

When I started, I used to ask if anyone wanted a coffee from downstairs, nobody ever did so I just kind of do my own thing on that front now.
Don't see what the issue is.

"Argh bloody contractor with his bloody footballer's salary, sticking his rich man's coffee right into our faces, while we must drink this cat piss we can only afford on our honorably earned money."

[mrv]

In some places, if you do a good job, chat a bit, help anyone who needs it, and be nice, then you do fit. Sounds like the OP is not in one of those places.

Some places just let you be as long as you are a reasonably valuable asset. Some places want you to be a valuable asset and love them to bits. Some places don't care what sort of asset you are, as long as you worship the same god and say the same prayers. You just never know.

[mrv]

Asking if anybody wants a tea when you go to the machine/kitchen is just good manners. But you're right, screw the teas.

I usually am more than happy to make the teas for everyone - every second away from my desk and those moronic faces I need to work with is gold!

[Sid]

unsettling experience

Somewhat unsettling experience here in one of my prev gig where I lasted about 2 of 8 months. I have great respect for people who have different orientation (you know what I mean). But it was a bit unsettling - a gentle touch on the shoulder I would consider a show of appreciation - however a I 'd take a shoulder squeeze from a male colleague in other terms. I also once saw the client programme manager gifting a iPad mini to a consultant who sat next to me!
Regarding IT stuff:-
Daily stand-ups meant pleasing the client to no extra end with your 'status'. Agile meant delivering whatever crap the dev team has delivered whether the end user wants it or not.

I was happy leave within 2 months.

So, GUMBO- chill:-)! there are other people in a similar boat.

[Gumbo Robot]

I feel for you, gumbo. Sounds pretty horrific. I'd say throw the CV out there and see what comes up and in the meanwhile smile, nod and just keep working as normal.

When you head off to the next role, hopefully with a nice rise to boot, and they're fretting about finding someone new to take over the work... you can just smile inwardly. Being a good place to work is a two way street.

I'm a get in do my work, get out type of guy. So I have struggled with this in a few places.

I remember an interview where the bloke took me out for a beer with some of the team. I had one and stopped, they were fair knocking them back. They weren't interested in talking about anything technical or work related, they just wanted to 'get to know me'. Fair enough loads of people would love that but it was one of the reasons that I turned the offer down. Sorry not looking for drinking buddies and if that's how you pick people then it's just a big concern. No technical test? How do you know I'm any good? Disaster waiting to happen, too much risk.

I go out of my way to help anyone that needs it, I never throw anyone under the bus and I'm proud of the quality of work I deliver. Like you I'm just not the 'Hey guys' type of fellow and when I want a coffee I don't want to faff around for ten minutes making it into a team bonding exercise.

Fitting in is a two way street. Just because the loudest extroverts like things one way doesn't mean it's the right way.

Good post! I agree totally.

Unfortunately, a rate rise isn't likely; this is the best rate I've been on. Ironic really since I'm not really actually delivering much product - just doing tons of administration and having my personality processed to comply with their corporate standards.

Ever see the film Brazil? That's it basically.

[FatLazyContractor]

I'd just tell them that I was hired for my technical skills and ability, not my tea-making skills. If you don't like the way that I work, then feel free to terminate my contract. Assuming that you can walk into another role fairly easily of course!

Or you've got enough warchest and you could take the summer off ...

[expat]

... Like you I'm just not the 'Hey guys' type of fellow and when I want a coffee I don't want to faff around for ten minutes making it into a team bonding exercise.

Fitting in is a two way street. Just because the loudest extroverts like things one way doesn't mean it's the right way.

Useful guide to living your life.

[DieScum]

I feel for you, gumbo. Sounds pretty horrific. I'd say throw the CV out there and see what comes up and in the meanwhile smile, nod and just keep working as normal.

When you head off to the next role, hopefully with a nice rise to boot, and they're fretting about finding someone new to take over the work... you can just smile inwardly. Being a good place to work is a two way street.

I'm a get in do my work, get out type of guy. So I have struggled with this in a few places.

I remember an interview where the bloke took me out for a beer with some of the team. I had one and stopped, they were fair knocking them back. They weren't interested in talking about anything technical or work related, they just wanted to 'get to know me'. Fair enough loads of people would love that but it was one of the reasons that I turned the offer down. Sorry not looking for drinking buddies and if that's how you pick people then it's just a big concern. No technical test? How do you know I'm any good? Disaster waiting to happen, too much risk.

I go out of my way to help anyone that needs it, I never throw anyone under the bus and I'm proud of the quality of work I deliver. Like you I'm just not the 'Hey guys' type of fellow and when I want a coffee I don't want to faff around for ten minutes making it into a team bonding exercise.

Fitting in is a two way street. Just because the loudest extroverts like things one way doesn't mean it's the right way.