Reply to: How to proceed with a conflictive team

[quackhandle]

Yeah, I did my research on that before I signed.

There's nothing on paper about this whole 'who is the manager' as well as becoming a permit (which I was never going to do regardless, I only said I'd consider it as I needed the gig).
My contract gets extended -aka new contract- every month. It is also "IR35 friendly" as far as I know (right of substitution, control etc,...) so I hope i'm okay for that, but thanks for bringing it up

As far as you know?

You hope?

qh

[northernladuk]

Sorry I have a question.
If I'm on "rolling contract" as described by manager and agent, does that mean I work until cancelled? And no need to ask for extension?

Sounds like it.

Although IMO it can be a short term one with expectation of just going on and on. The contract is nothing more than paperwork which would look like permanent employment. It's the expectation of work that causes a problem with MoO and potentially D&C and part and parcel. But yes it could be what you describe as well.

It's not the actual type/wording, it's the expectation of just being given work really.

[diseasex]

Have we been invaded by some decision making sucking parasite which leaves the victim unable to decide what to do or something today?

First off if they have to offer you an extension you are not on a rolling contract. You are on one that is being extended towards the end of the current contract.

You've missed option 4 which is the one to do.

4) Decline the extension and leave when the contract ends.

You are then free to look around for new working without the problems of a notice period making it difficult. The more difficult it is the more time you have to spend time in a contract you don't want.

One of the reasons most people went contracting is to offer the flexibility about where they work and what they do. If they don't want a gig they leave and find another one. You are in exactly that situation so use one of the best benefits available to us and leave. You will have many contracts over your career so this will just a insignificant blip in your career.

IMO don't piss the client about renewing when you have no intention to stay.

Sorry I have a question.
If I'm on "rolling contract" as described by manager and agent, does that mean I work until cancelled? And no need to ask for extension?

[Bee]

I would like to know who is leading the project.

If you are the manager, you can't turn your back on this situation because it's your responsibility to put everyone to work as a team and promote a good environment. It's dificult but you need to be able the manage and avoid conflicts in a team. Take it as an exercise.

If you are on the same level, you can ignore, but I would talk to him and explain that he is having a toxic behavior and "teach him some manners", with this, you show your leadership skills.

If he is your manager, ignore him. He can critisize in the worse manner but you can take some positive message from that.

Remember that you can find toxic people on the work place and you need to deal with that. Some of them are psychopaths, talking to them is useless because they humiliates for pleasure.

They have a problem not you.

Hi everyone! I'll use this opportunity to introduce myself, new to the forum and having been a contractor on the same placement for five months now, even though it was an original agreement for two.

Over the last couple months another dev/contractor was hired to join me as a team and both take care of the project we've developed from scratch.

The dynamics between both of us are very weird and uncomfortable (at least for me) as he is always seeking for conflict and doesn't seem to put an effort on constructive criticism.

All that has taken me into a position I'm really not enjoying this placement, it's causing me anxiety and since it's a really small business I just want to move on and find another contract, but I'm not sure about the best way to proceed as my contract ends this week and they are very likely to offer me an extension.

1. Should I renew and then leave one this next month rolling extension comes to an end? (My least favourite option)
2. Should I renew and leave once I've found something else (something tells me it's not very professional and I'm not sure how much would that hinder my reputation)
3. Should I tell my recruiter about the situation to see if he can find another placement?

I'm feeling quite confused as I want to take the "least worst" option but I don't feel I have enough experience as a contractor to make my best judgement.

Any help would be really appreciated,

Thanks!!

[Hobosapien]

Keep smiling, keep working, keep invoicing.

T shirts available via CUK merchandise section for client dress down days.

[LondonManc]

Thank you all for your advice, guys.

I definitely have quite a bit to think about and reflect on! It really helps getting perspective from all your comments.

For the time being, as some of you have said I'll just "man up" and take all your comments onboard for this contract and future ones

You'll meet idiots in most contracts that you take; it's just the proximity to the project that you're working on that varies. Keep smiling, keep working, keep invoicing.

[TheDev]

Thank you all for your advice, guys.

I definitely have quite a bit to think about and reflect on! It really helps getting perspective from all your comments.

For the time being, as some of you have said I'll just "man up" and take all your comments onboard for this contract and future ones

[MrMarkyMark]

I've had to hear "just do it right" whilst raising voice or "I don't think you were trying your best" when trying to find a solution for a problem, with him being away.

I didn't know we were working together, thank you for not quoting the expletives

[Hobosapien]

He could always subcontract that out to you. Then subcontract himself out of the place.

[FatLazyContractor]

Placement?

Line manager

Anyway, how good is your warchest?

If I were in your situation, I'd throw my full weight on the other developer and sort him out. If required, I'd even get MF to sit on him.

[Hobosapien]

Do we need a placeholder thread for a contractor coming on here and complaining about a contractor who turned perm and fired him?

Don't forget the sweepstake where we can guess who that forum member may be.

[LondonManc]

Do we need a placeholder thread for a contractor coming on here and complaining about a contractor who turned perm and fired him?

[Hobosapien]

The solution is to go permie, if the client is still offering it, then you can complain to HR and get the contractor terminated, and not have to worry about IR35. Everyone's a winner.

[northernladuk]

Yeah, I did my research on that before I signed.

There's nothing on paper about this whole 'who is the manager' as well as becoming a permit (which I was never going to do regardless, I only said I'd consider it as I needed the gig).
My contract gets extended -aka new contract- every month. It is also "IR35 friendly" as far as I know (right of substitution, control etc,...) so I hope i'm okay for that, but thanks for bringing it up

It sounds like the client is already treating you as an employee and if you are acting like one and doing the same job as you would as an employee I'd say you are in an uncomfortable place.

There is nothing on paper but working practices trump the contract. New contract every month won't save you. In fact if that contract doesn't have very clear deliverable they will dismiss it as a paperwork exercise so could work against you. 'As far as you know' How far is that exactly? What you've read on here or has a specialisiat reviewed it for you.

Sounds like a typical case of not really knowing when, in the clients eyes, you are effectively perm. Looks like you are in pretty bad situation from what I can see.

[LondonManc]

If you're meant to be the senior one there, act like it.

Feel fully entitled to ask him to document his design decisions - they will be there after he has gone.