Reply to: Think I've screwed up

[Paralytic]

Your plan is simple. Look helpful, keep busy - market research, local procedures, documentation etc, keep invoicing

I'd suggest that list is not in priority order

[KinooOrKinog]

couldnt manage a fart

Haha I'm using that

[BolshieBastard]

So I started a new contract last Monday. Public sector, umbrella, four months. Almost from the off i got the feeling I've made a big mistake.
The person who interviewed me had phoned in sick (still off) so I got given a laptop & shown where stuff was on SharePoint. It's 100% hot desking. There's only an 'acting PM' who seems like he's worse than a man short. Any time I ask a question of anyone I get mumbles or blank looks. I don't know why I'm there.
So anyway, I'm normally really positive but I'm very down about it. I feel trapped. Like my only choice is to stay or sell my house and go on benefits. I know it's only been a week & I'm being very dramatic about it but still.. I don't know what to do.
And I'm aware this is rambling so should it be in general? [emoji23]

Reminds me of a job I went for and got at Yorkshire Electricity back in 2001. It will only go downhill from here!

Went to interview, person who was due to interview me 'couldnt make it' so sent two other guys along. They just told me what the job was in general terms and could I do it. In the end, I interviewed them and they were just answering my questions. All very good and jovial and I guess alarm bells should have been ringing.

Anyway 10 days later I rock up to start and the person who should have interviewed me was again 'too busy' but had left me some reading to do. 3 weeks later and despite asking to get started, she's still giving me stuff to read. It's becoming clear she hasnt a clue and couldnt manage a fart never mind manage work streams. I said I thought I really needed to be working on stuff and be productive.

After about another 3 weeks so almost halfway through the contract, she comes out with a cock and bull story to shunt me and 2 other contractors she'd told would be extending into a side room. We had diddly squat to do but they paid us for turning up.

I laughed at her when she said she wouldnt be offering an extension to me. I said you offered those 2 extensions then backtracked, what makes you think Im even looking to extend here when you've given me sweet FA to do for the last 13 weeks?

If it's just 4 months, keep your professional attitude, ask what you can do and use the time to upskill. Them say goodbye when the contract ends and move on.

[psychocandy]

Sounds like you fit in perfectly.


Yep.. I was right.

Too old for working my nuts off and working all night NLUK.

I'd rather be a bit bored, get home to see my kids, and still earn a good wedge....

[unixman]

So I started a new contract last Monday. Public sector, umbrella, four months. Almost from the off i got the feeling I've made a big mistake.
The person who interviewed me had phoned in sick (still off) so I got given a laptop & shown where stuff was on SharePoint. It's 100% hot desking. There's only an 'acting PM' who seems like he's worse than a man short. Any time I ask a question of anyone I get mumbles or blank looks. I don't know why I'm there.
So anyway, I'm normally really positive but I'm very down about it. I feel trapped. Like my only choice is to stay or sell my house and go on benefits. I know it's only been a week & I'm being very dramatic about it but still.. I don't know what to do.
And I'm aware this is rambling so should it be in general? [emoji23]

We've all had that feeling at some time. Try to make friends with one or two other contractors if there are any. At least you can then compare notes. As others have said, be patient with it and just keep invoicing - up to a point. But if you really, really can't stand it, leave. Life is too short to be putting up with hell, even for 4 months.

My only public sector experience was with a university. I lasted two weeks before leaving, due to the hiring manager being a raving lunatic. Even after a few days I was onto the agent explaining this. They had an onsite Greggs, which was the only good part of that gig.

[ladymuck]

RBS? - i had the times of my life there.

almost always with the same team(s) of mixed perms and scumbags
only tulip was change control PM's who didn't actually have any idea as to what was going on.
they could be bypassed though.
six? projects
excellent rates.
god bless the flying arsehole


oh, and latterly, mostly remotely serviced.

I was just bored, the job was exceptionally dull.

[Eirikur]

The worry I always had in similar scenarios are, what to say in the next day's standup . It's high time to learn BS talk!

Exactly this. Now four months at current gig, the actual amount of work I've done here could have been done in the first week.
Programme director set up daily stand ups. No one listens to what anybody says on the call, so I make up some BS

[northernladuk]

Having been at PS place for the past 3 years its is a different world.

Permies who seem to have roles just to give them something to do. Permies in management positions who you wouldn't put in charge of a hamster. Clueless projects, lots of sickies. Tons of money wasted on crap

Sounds like you fit in perfectly.

Its not a dynamic environment. If you want excitement its not in the PS.
On the plus side (for me) there is little stress. Emergencies tend to be forgotten as 4pm approaches and everyone wants to go home.
?

Yep.. I was right.

[PerfectStorm]

I had the pleasure of walking away from a stinker last year - the looks on their faces are priceless. Especially when you say you have nowhere to go and it's a 'prestigious' name.

Give it a month, you'll know if you like it by then (the first weeks are always a bit strange). See if you can shape it into your mould/image.

If not, don't put a job before your mental health.

[psychocandy]

Having been at PS place for the past 3 years its is a different world.

Permies who seem to have roles just to give them something to do. Permies in management positions who you wouldn't put in charge of a hamster. Clueless projects, lots of sickies. Tons of money wasted on crap.

Its not a dynamic environment. If you want excitement its not in the PS.
On the plus side (for me) there is little stress. Emergencies tend to be forgotten as 4pm approaches and everyone wants to go home.

Then again if you really hate it dont stay and make yourself ill - I did that once, never again.

Theres always JSA?

[northernladuk]

As some of the others have said, 4 months isn't that long... Take it one days at a time... enjoy long lunches is possible, up your skillset if you can but most importantly keep looking for a new role and when you get one leave!

It really is when you've a gig you can't face going in to every day.

[AlonsoHarris]

So I started a new contract last Monday. Public sector, umbrella, four months. Almost from the off i got the feeling I've made a big mistake.
The person who interviewed me had phoned in sick (still off) so I got given a laptop & shown where stuff was on SharePoint. It's 100% hot desking. There's only an 'acting PM' who seems like he's worse than a man short. Any time I ask a question of anyone I get mumbles or blank looks. I don't know why I'm there.
So anyway, I'm normally really positive but I'm very down about it. I feel trapped. Like my only choice is to stay or sell my house and go on benefits. I know it's only been a week & I'm being very dramatic about it but still.. I don't know what to do.
And I'm aware this is rambling so should it be in general? [emoji23]

As some of the others have said, 4 months isn't that long... Take it one days at a time... enjoy long lunches is possible, up your skillset if you can but most importantly keep looking for a new role and when you get one leave!

[GhostofTarbera]

don't beat about the bush, old chap.
do say what you mean.

Like getting a BJ and it’s wonderful and complaining about the background music




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[BR14]

don't beat about the bush, old chap.
do say what you mean.

[BR14]

Mug


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