Reply to: Contract Termination

[Denno]

Should I fight my case and take this to personnel ? Being a contractor I suppose I have no leg to stand on. I believe that this termination was based on the fact that they have messed up and need someone to take the wrap.

Definitely not. Personnel are only there to back up what the management are saying.

I don't go along with this 'you shouldn't behave like a permie' attitude of some of the posters here.

The fact is that if you're a senior contractor you will need to build relationships, and point out when and why projects are failing.

I don't think there's much you can do here. You could try pointing out in black and white (using facts not emotions) what's wrong with the project to stakeholders, and even this guy's boss, but I doubt they will rock the boat for a contractor...

[krytonsheep]

Clearly I should have shut my mouth and gone along with it.

Yeh, never rock the boat, especially if you are in it.

On the bright side, after seven years at the same place, a change will probably do you some good.

[BlasterBates]

Well basically you've talked your way out of the job. From what I understand, the project is in such bad shape you all need to stop and leave the company forthwith. So the PM fulfilled your wish. If he believes you, he will now hang in there as long as he can and look for another job, because he no longer has an option. The last thing he needs is some one who will inform management that they should all be sacked immediately, and in any case if everything the team is producing is rubbish why pay someone £400 a day to produce rubbish and eat up the budget more quickly.

[pmeswani]

P.S. this advice is completely free and I won't be charging for it this time

It must be christmas again.

[Grinder]

At this stage, the only chance you have to save yourself (if you really want to stay) is to up the ante and book a meeting with one of the stakeholders.

Tell the stakeholder the whole team is rubbish and the project will fail - explain how you know this. Present a high-level view of how you think the project could succeed.

It sounds like you've already lost any chance you had of getting a good reference from this job, so why not go out in a blaze of glory?

If you get another contract - just do the work described in your contract and you'll be ok.

[Archangel]

Clearly I should have shut my mouth and gone along with it...

Clearly.

HTH

[SantaClaus]

You are a sockpuppet aren't you? If not, you are totally bonkers : quite possibly more of a nutcase than me.

You should have agreed with everything he said. At least you have learnt a lesson for next time.

I agree with Brillo.

Contractor Rule No.1: Never get up other people's backs.
Contractor Rule No.2: Keep your head down, don't complain and do the work.

P.S. this advice is completely free and I won't be charging for it this time

[Ivor Bigun]

The other guys, all contractors, have had a free ticket over the last few years. Really just taking it easy and not been managed.

You are a developer and they are analysts?

I have always maintained that "no" or very little prep work has been done. Project team have made some rather stupid decisions, PM has been making lots of promises to stackholders. I have proved that figures created by another members of the team were total rubbish. PM had to got to steering group and say they under estimated. Effectively I have been working against the team as I feel they are wrong on a number of things.

You may be right, but life is never meant to be fair.

To cut a long story short, 3 months down the line I believe that the project has gone totally the wrong way and I have been saying it from day one. I have made my feelings know to others in the department (outside of my team).

Suicide tactics.

Before the new PM came in there was no bad feeling in the team, however with recent developments in the Economy I feel the others have become worried for their contracts.

Just because you are right, it doesn't mean that things are fair and you should keep your job.

Told the other day that my services would not be required. I feel rather hard done by as I have been telling the PM from day one they were going the wrong way about things.

You were probably by-passed years ago - hence your suicide tactics.

I feel that the PM is using me as a scapegoat, I constanly been warning him about my concerns on the project. He obviously still has his job.

You are a toy! - a management's plaything!

Should I fight my case and take this to personnel ? Being a contractor I suppose I have no leg to stand on. I believe that this termination was based on the fact that they have messed up and need someone to take the wrap.

Yes - bring them all down with you - you're toast anyway - you'll never work for them again - so **** 'em.

I have agreed to work out on one months notice, however I am totally gutted as they want me to document how I feel things should be done. I know they are hiring as I've seen the role on a website.

Tell them nothing. If anyone complains -tell them its all in the documentation. Stick to it and work minimally.

If you do have ideas - send them to HR and make sure you slag the lot of them off. List everyone who bunks off early and highlight everyone who uses the internet too much.
it won't help your cause but it will **** the b*stards up.

[BrilloPad]

Told the other day that my services would not be required. I feel rather hard done by as I have been telling the PM from day one they were going the wrong way about things.

You are a sockpuppet aren't you? If not, you are totally bonkers : quite possibly more of a nutcase than me.

You should have agreed with everything he said. At least you have learnt a lesson for next time.

[swamp]

I actually love the company I work for

WTF?

Please tell us you mean Maveric Consulting Limited.

[maveric_32]

Probably one of the site trollaholics is bored, but, if it's true you certainly aren't a contractor in the real sense of the word. Probably more of a failed permie.

Anyways, surprised they took so long to bin you.

Thanks for the reply! Not a troll. I know of others that have been contracting for as long if not longer.

I have stayed in the same place because I'm good at what I do. However I do not like to see people taking the p*ss. I feel that members of the team were and tried to make a stand. Clearly I should have shut my mouth and gone along with it...

[Turion]

Probably one of the site trollaholics is bored, but, if it's true you certainly aren't a contractor in the real sense of the word. Probably more of a failed permie.

Anyways, surprised they took so long to bin you.

[NotAllThere]

Contracting at the same company does not make him an employee. I've had a contract with the same telecoms company for seven years, and I certainly don't employ them.

However, in this instance, thoughts of going to personnel do indicate a rather permie attitude. In answer to the OP - you've had seven good years. You're not an employee. Move on.

[pmeswani]

Been contracting for the same company for 7 years (switched divisions), been working on a new project for 8 months.

Did you ask for a pay rise every year or an increase in your rate?

If I were you, I would be glad to get out of there and move on. Use your knowledge to find some new work, and take a well earned holiday. You need it.

[BrowneIssue]

Been contracting for the same company for 7 years

Permietractor.

Yeah, complain to HR. It might work. They may feel the same way.