Reply to: Office Intimidation - Contractor Rights?

[Darksider]

To me, it seems you've already made up your own mind in your head and are looking for us to verify that opinion.

My 2 cents...leave. It's clearly causing you a lot more hassle than is acceptable and it will likely just keep going down hill. Worse case scenario, they push you a little too far and you lose all sense of professionalism and end up saying a few home truths. This sort of stuff will follow you around.

[blinko]

This has just happend to me, office intimidation is somethng that happens to everyone at some point.

The failiure is the doing anything about it or becoming so sucked in that you are unaware of how deep in you are until it's too late.

You really need to get out as its not going to get any better.

I used to work in an estate agent, my boss sat next to me.

His day = BBC iplayer and sky poker
My day = handle all the work, which basically invovled fobbing people off about how many flats we had to sell and rent. (wasn't much at all in both terms) then receive complaints from boss that I don't do much.

What could I do about it? not much, but don't feel like you are the only one that this kind of thing that has happend to.

I have heard stories of people be 5 - 6 years at a job then this happens to them!

[Contractoid]

Careful!! They'll wonder what you're smiling at!

Yes you are right! Smiling is also not aloud along with toilet breaks and breating. I think they are trialling the same techniques used on the burma Railway project in India

[cojak]

Careful!! They'll wonder what you're smiling at!

[Contractoid]

The worst thing you could possible do to them in retaliation is;

• smile at them every time they gripe and say "I agree, I really Really Do"
• Smile at them and say "Oh! I didn't realise, I'm so sorry - Won't happen again"
• Make comments about how much money you are earning to the permies.
• Point at the clock every hour and say loudly "That's another £XXX.00 I've earned today.

So don't do any of the above, Right

Of course I won't

How about another screen saver with a clock on one side and a counter on the other with an increasing £value showing my day rate accumulating. A big money bag increasing in size during the day.

Subtle Like...

[Diver]

Very good advice thank you. I am restricting all non work conversation to the other contractor partner in stress and when certain ears are not waggling. I am complying with all there rules and regulations while planning my exit. I considered having a frank and honest conversation with the boss but quite frankly, what’s the point? No matter how politely or delicately I put my point across I will still be in the wrong and quite possibly this will just make matters worse.

Limited War chest so I am going to stay and try and put up with it until another option presents itself. Besides which, the people here taking part in all the unpleasantness WANT me to leave. I’m quite happy to stick around a bit longer and not grant them their wish!

The worst thing you could possible do to them in retaliation is;

• smile at them every time they gripe and say "I agree, I really Really Do"
• Smile at them and say "Oh! I didn't realise, I'm so sorry - Won't happen again"
• Make comments about how much money you are earning to the permies.
• Point at the clock every hour and say loudly "That's another £XXX.00 I've earned today.

So don't do any of the above, Right

[Contractoid]

Well, you've asked us about our business responses and I've given it.

But working in this kind of environment is horrible, corrosive and will take it's toll on your health.

So keep you head down and say nowt to anyone about anything other than work.

Do what they want you to do (and don't do) without complaint, keep invoicing and keep going to interviews.

Ignore what is said or done around you.

If you don't have a warchest this is the only option to you really. But otherwise I would recommend putting your notice in THIS AFTERNOON and seriously find a contract in the next couple of weeks.

'Cos it's going to be a nice week and you can look for work while sitting in the garden .

Very good advice thank you. I am restricting all non work conversation to the other contractor partner in stress and when certain ears are not waggling. I am complying with all there rules and regulations while planning my exit. I considered having a frank and honest conversation with the boss but quite frankly, what’s the point? No matter how politely or delicately I put my point across I will still be in the wrong and quite possibly this will just make matters worse.

Limited War chest so I am going to stay and try and put up with it until another option presents itself. Besides which, the people here taking part in all the unpleasantness WANT me to leave. I’m quite happy to stick around a bit longer and not grant them their wish!

[CodeCobbler]

I wouldn't worry about it personally. This type of situation arises in just about every contract I've done, complaints about surfing all day, falsifying timesheets etc etc, you just got to smile and carry on...remember you are the one laughing all the way to the bank.

[BrilloPad]

Not according to the 15 day weather forecast I looked at last night...

LOoks okay to me?

London weather forecast 14 days

[psychocandy]

They engaged in long windedquestions such that it was very difficult to actually determine what it was they were asking, they were also very aggressive in their overall interview technique, interrupting my answers and not doing so politely either.

One of the two people in particular was quite obnoxious with her badgering tones.

Im usually quite laid back in interviews but these were just on another planet.

Fair does. I hate interviews like that where the interviewer appears to be going out they're way to act like an arse.

[oscarose]

'Cos it's going to be a nice week and you can look for work while sitting in the garden .

Not according to the 15 day weather forecast I looked at last night...

[cojak]

Well, you've asked us about our business responses and I've given it.

But working in this kind of environment is horrible, corrosive and will take it's toll on your health.

So keep you head down and say nowt to anyone about anything other than work.

Do what they want you to do (and don't do) without complaint, keep invoicing and keep going to interviews.

Ignore what is said or done around you.

If you don't have a warchest this is the only option to you really. But otherwise I would recommend putting your notice in THIS AFTERNOON and seriously find a contract in the next couple of weeks.

'Cos it's going to be a nice week and you can look for work while sitting in the garden .

[Diver]

To answer the OP question, yes, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Much like this forum in fact.

What was the question again?

[doomage]

To answer the OP question, yes, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Much like this forum in fact.

[BolshieBastard]

No, its Finance. My first exposure in fact to this industry and I have heard similar stories happening in this industry. I also have firends in permanent roles in the city who have either themselves or others been through tribunals for this kind of stuff / unfair dismissals etc. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised its happened to me!

That particular one you mentioned in the gaming industry. Was it Gibraltar based by any chance? I only ask as I experienced the most ridiculous interview of my career there once!

No not Gib (Vic Chandler!? Had a mate who worked with them there on contract. He waxed so lyrically about it he went on a 'how to be a writer' course!)

One in question was in Wigan.

Have to say, I've been in financials the last 10 years and havent experienced anything like you have!