There has been an NHS Wales 'job' advertised regularly on Jobserve since January. It kept coming up, disappearing, then coming up again on the job boards.
The job spec read like 6 very demanding jobs but for which they wanted one person IMPO.
I got short-listed for an interivew several times but never got an interview. Then I heard I would be interviewed in May but the date came and went. A week later I get a call, am told that they had interviewed over 2 days the previous week but had found no one suitable and were now considering me for interview.
How can they not find someone in this market?
But now they had a 'matrix' that they wanted contractors to fill in - basically a job application form.
Whilst I was looking at this another agent rang me about the role... someone I know... and in conversation he let slip that they had one guy who was doing the job but he, allegedly, got ill and had to leave. Then they had another guy but he, allegedly, gave in his notice after the first month.
By chance, a friend of mine whose son works in NHS Wales at the same site, telephoned me about 10 minutes later. I was telling her about the role and she said that her son hated it, was very stressed and wanted to get out.
So I pulled out - cheeky sods turned me down for interview 3 times. I can't believe they could not find people in this market. Either they were too picky IMPO or lots of contracotrs just saw the role as being stressful.
- Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
- Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Reply to: contracting = more stress?
Collapse
You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:
- You are not logged in. If you are already registered, fill in the form below to log in, or follow the "Sign Up" link to register a new account.
- You may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
- If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.
Logging in...
Previously on "contracting = more stress?"
Collapse
-
My first ever contract was with Glaxo back in the 90s. I had an evil manager who made my life hell. Everything I did was wrong and never seemed to be good enough. I used to be off crying in the ladies too, and I'm a bloke. For the first 3 months or so I used to dread going to work.
Then one day in a meeting she (the manager) praised my work to a load of people and I was like WTF? Thereafter she seemed OK and i went on to have a great time with loads of extensions and we actually got on quite well in the end. I found out later that all the admin girls were feeling sorry for me and wondering how I managed to cope, but it was just the personality and management style of that particular manager. That scenario has played out a couple more times in my contracting career - what seems like Hell at first can turn out to be great. I've had every other permuation as welll - started great, went to hell in a basket, started crap, stayed crap etc.
Give it some time, see how it pans out. If its still destroying your life in a few months time, call it quits and try again. But it may just come right.
Addendum: I became good friends with one of the admin girls at Glaxo, still am. One of the managers at the time who was married developed a bit of a crush on said admin girl, and when he got control over my department he terminated my contract out of jealousy. I went on to a fab contract in the City, but it goes to show - quite a lot of non-dull moments in contracting (I'd say never a dull moment but God you have some of those as well!)
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by TykeMerc View PostAs SueEllen said tulip is a board specific automatic replacement for a 4 letter swear word starting with sh and ending in it.
Leave a comment:
-
Interesting... One of my friends started contracting with same organization in banking I believe, in central London. 3 days later, he calls me (today) if the position for the contractor in my organization is still open and that he is considering leaving.. He is into asp. Net mvc .. Speaks volumes about the overall situation in that organization.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by globalprogrammer View PostIn fact, the more money you are being paid, the less bull you should tolerate
They may not listen, but that's another aspect I consider being paid for.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by globalprogrammer View PostIn fact, the more money you are being paid, the less bull you should tolerate. Not vice-versa. Some people do this completely the other way round - and get walked over.
I've learned that there are limits. People respect those who set them - and take advantage of those who don't.
Leave a comment:
-
You should yourself also set limits.
Some people if given an inch will take a mile. They may be paying you and calling the tune - but it does not mean you need to tolerate being treated like a slave. In fact, the more money you are being paid, the less bull you should tolerate. Not vice-versa. Some people do this completely the other way round - and get walked over.
I've learned that there are limits. People respect those who set them - and take advantage of those who don't.
Leave a comment:
-
First – you need to toughen up, sometimes contractors get dropped into a tough situation, projects behind schedule, manager is a nobber (maybe that’s why there was a vacancy). BUT – That doesn’t mean you take abuse, especially if its unwarranted. Make sure you are clean, do what is asked PUSH back if deadlines are a joke, so at least you told them ahead of time. If you are being asked to do 10 things, ask which they want you to do next as you have no chance of doing them all. Work hard and If they ask you to leave, so what, why do you care ?
I am the most reasonable chap in work, always willing, will do stuff beyond normal brief etc. As long as the rate is right I don’t care but if I am getting abuse for the sake of it and it’s not justified I bite back hard. Spent many years in shared houses with lads and it was routine to take the piss constantly, this stands me in good stead.
I won’t walk off a job like this, I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction, I would find another job first or at least pass on a renewal (they usually leave these till the last minute which leaves them panicking)
Oh – by the way, it’s only work, not something that matters.Last edited by lukemg; 9 June 2011, 09:23.
Leave a comment:
-
Just remember this story from a long time ago. I worked for a bad manager, who had a particular dislike for a colleague of mine. One morning he was taken to the other side of teh room, where he received a good old rollocking for about 10 minutes.
Colleague came back over, and I asked 'what was that about?'
He looked at his watch and replied 'about £15 quid'
Leave a comment:
-
Have to say I think the best thing is to quit the environment if it's too unpleasant. It simply isn't worth it.
I've worked at banks in the past. Never again. I've contracted for plenty of blue chips, and banks were the worst in terms of the small minded management attitudes. The whole atmosphere with them is the kiss of death. I don't need banks - or anyone else on my CV anymore and I won't even consider them. No matter how much money they offer.
Apart from that, banks are the enemy. Think credit crunch.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by SueEllen View Posta significant amount of their team are contractors or looking for new roles then it's time for you to leave.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by bluedrop View Post
Wondering if its a general contracting thing everywhere or if I just got unlucky..I am not the kind to run away...also the rate is really good so I plan to fight it out...
You can have tulip management whether you are contract or permie. If the person has got to management, they haven't been made redundant due to restructuring and a significant amount of their team are contractors or looking for new roles then it's time for you to leave.
Leave a comment:
- Home
- News & Features
- First Timers
- IR35 / S660 / BN66
- Employee Benefit Trusts
- Agency Workers Regulations
- MSC Legislation
- Limited Companies
- Dividends
- Umbrella Company
- VAT / Flat Rate VAT
- Job News & Guides
- Money News & Guides
- Guide to Contracts
- Successful Contracting
- Contracting Overseas
- Contractor Calculators
- MVL
- Contractor Expenses
Advertisers
Contractor Services
CUK News
- Streamline Your Retirement with iSIPP: A Solution for Contractor Pensions Sep 1 09:13
- Making the most of pension lump sums: overview for contractors Sep 1 08:36
- Umbrella company tribunal cases are opening up; are your wages subject to unlawful deductions, too? Aug 31 08:38
- Contractors, relabelling 'labour' as 'services' to appear 'fully contracted out' won't dupe IR35 inspectors Aug 31 08:30
- How often does HMRC check tax returns? Aug 30 08:27
- Work-life balance as an IT contractor: 5 top tips from a tech recruiter Aug 30 08:20
- Autumn Statement 2023 tipped to prioritise mental health, in a boost for UK workplaces Aug 29 08:33
- Final reminder for contractors to respond to the umbrella consultation (closing today) Aug 29 08:09
- Top 5 most in demand cyber security contract roles Aug 25 08:38
- Changes to the right to request flexible working are incoming, but how will contractors be affected? Aug 24 08:25
Leave a comment: