Reply to: Contracted Hours vs Expected

[SussexSeagull]

He wants verbal feedback, but I'm not going to bother as it will turn in verbal back and forth, he had a dig at me when I gave him my notice.

It's my fault tbh because I should've paid attention to the red flags, but honestly I needed something to tie me over the summer. On my first day when we sat down and spoke of expectations, then out of the blue he said 'I'm not going to lie, we've had 100% turnover with contractors'

Don't underestimate the fact you were still being paid!

[PerfectStorm]

Plus, you've got something out of the experience now - when you start the next contract, you know to work the gig the way you want to from day 1.

Sod the other contractors dragging each other down - you're your own person.

[krytonsheep]

'I'm not going to lie, we've had 100% turnover with contractors'

Not good. Had a few friends (permie) work under someone like that for a couple of years, and it nearly destroyed them both physically and mentally. Management thought he was an absolute star though.

[northernladuk]

He wants verbal feedback, but I'm not going to bother as it will turn in verbal back and forth, he had a dig at me when I gave him my notice.

Correct. Tell him personal reasons and time to move on and leave it at that.

It's my fault tbh because I should've paid attention to the red flags, but honestly I needed something to tie me over the summer. On my first day when we sat down and spoke of expectations, then out of the blue he said 'I'm not going to lie, we've had 100% turnover with contractors'

Every company has 100% turnover with contractors. Every contract ends. It's the way we work.

[contractoradvice656]

He wants verbal feedback, but I'm not going to bother as it will turn in verbal back and forth, he had a dig at me when I gave him my notice.

It's my fault tbh because I should've paid attention to the red flags, but honestly I needed something to tie me over the summer. On my first day when we sat down and spoke of expectations, then out of the blue he said 'I'm not going to lie, we've had 100% turnover with contractors'

[SussexSeagull]

I think you have done the right thing.

As for feedback the contractors who started before you should have nipped this in the bud so I have limited sympathy for them.

[krytonsheep]

I'm not sure it's even worth me providing feedback on my last day

Well done for getting out of there. Was he asking for verbal or written feedback? Based on the description you've given so far, I doubt it would make any difference.

[Protagoras]

I handed in my 2 weeks notice today.

Congratulations.

He has asked me for feedback but I have declined

Too late for feedback anyway, although this sounds like something from the permie HR world, not applicable to contractors.

[contractoradvice656]

I handed in my 2 weeks notice today.

BTW I just want to clear up, he is NOT MD, he is Director.

He has asked me for feedback but I have declined, he is approving my timesheets so I need this done, but I'm not sure it's even worth me providing feedback on my last day

[PerfectStorm]

this one will only be happy if you follow his work pattern.

Let him be unhappy then. His inability to set reasonable boundaries on his working time has no effect on your ability to set yours.

[TheDude]

When you say the MD is in charge of your team, how does that work if it's a huge FI? Usually a good few layers of middle management in between before you hit the contractors.

in every bank I have worked at MDs pretty much only speak to the scum in quarterly briefings and town halls.

[krytonsheep]

Someone mentioned if it's a small company, no, it's a huge FI.

When you say the MD is in charge of your team, how does that work if it's a huge FI? Usually a good few layers of middle management in between before you hit the contractors.

[contractoradvice656]

Go in hard at the start with what you're going to do - contractual hours, I'd go further and make the point that some of the days start earlier and some start later. Do the odd late night, do the odd bit of weekend. Show it's your gig - and get any such restrictions removed from future contracts.

No late starts with this guy. He works 12 hours a day and expects everyone to put in the same shift, but most of it is spent in meetings and he likes to only check finish drafts ("I shouldn't have to do the work, I'm here to check it and put my name on it").

There'll be some snotty comments about part timers. When anyone raises it with you, ask them why they support such a culture?

If you all acted together to make your conditions reasonable rather than acting together to drag each other down, you'd all still have your contracts and you'd feel happier for it.

Good point....however if others are scared of losing their jobs and conform then you are seen as the non-conformer.

BTW not having a pop at you, appreciate your response, but this one will only be happy if you follow his work pattern.


Another point is he is super nice, jovial, funny and charming to other teams/people in the business, but his own team he's passive agressive (& all mentioned above).

Someone mentioned if it's a small company, no, it's a huge FI.

[SussexSeagull]

Firstly, shame on the contractors already there for not knocking this on the head. Once a client has got away with it once they won't stop.

You need to establish the ground rules for a contract in the first couple of weeks or it will never happen. If the client doesn't like it they need to do the decent thing and get someone else in.

[PerfectStorm]

Go in hard at the start with what you're going to do - contractual hours, I'd go further and make the point that some of the days start earlier and some start later. Do the odd late night, do the odd bit of weekend. Show it's your gig - and get any such restrictions removed from future contracts.

You'll get a lot of this in your contracting career - you'll be a horse led to water. But you don't have to drink.

There'll be some snotty comments about part timers. When anyone raises it with you, ask them why they support such a culture?

If you all acted together to make your conditions reasonable rather than acting together to drag each other down, you'd all still have your contracts and you'd feel happier for it.