Reply to: Office working

[Unix]

The staff at my last client were quite unfriendly outside of my team of 3 (contractors were an extreme rarity there). I didn't give a fig then and I don't now. I did my job and went training every lunchtime.

Whether people there liked me or not made no difference to anything.

Amen brother

[MyUserName]

The staff at my last client were quite unfriendly outside of my team of 3 (contractors were an extreme rarity there). I didn't give a fig then and I don't now. I did my job and went training every lunchtime.

Whether people there liked me or not made no difference to anything.

[Unix]

Couldn't agree more.
It's all well & good just saying 'you should make an effort' but there's only so many times you can say hello and try to strike up conversation. You can normally judge within a few hours if you are going to be accepted or not.
I even ask the pimp how many contractors work in a place before having my CV submitted because I'll never be the 'only one' again after some very long days staring at a pc in the corner of the room.

Exactly, as I said earlier my favourite contract was when I turned up the first day and there was 7-8 other contractors starting, obviously the contractors formed a clique although in this contract the permies were friendly. Starting at a place as the only contractor where decade long permie cliques have been formed doesn't usually result in a great social experience.

[Gaz_M]

On a serious note, I dont expect permies to greet me as the new messiah but I've worked a few places where the man who reads the meter gets a friendlier welcome. Current client included.

There is no need to plonk contractors in the corner and ignore them and dont even bother speaking to them. It just causes bad vibes.

Then again, I've worked at places where you wouldnt even know who the contractors and permies were. All part of the one team. IMHO this is what works best.

Couldn't agree more.
It's all well & good just saying 'you should make an effort' but there's only so many times you can say hello and try to strike up conversation. You can normally judge within a few hours if you are going to be accepted or not.
I even ask the pimp how many contractors work in a place before having my CV submitted because I'll never be the 'only one' again after some very long days staring at a pc in the corner of the room.

[I just need to test it]

I've been at my current gig for five months, during which time over 200 permies have been laid off (many voluntarily). Another 75 are set to go soon.

Therefore I *get* that having dirty leeches like me running out with armfuls of cash every day might appear a bit incendiary. I'm actually quite glad that I'm tolerated (barely) as well as I am.

[vwdan]

Everytime I go to a new place I send out an e-mail explaining that I'm a Ltd company consultant and, as such, won't be speaking to anyone or involving myself in anything. I then file that in my IR35 evidence folder, pull up my hoodie and crack on.

[Old Greg]

On a serious note, I dont expect permies to greet me as the new messiah but I've worked a few places where the man who reads the meter gets a friendlier welcome. Current client included.

There is no need to plonk contractors in the corner and ignore them and dont even bother speaking to them. It just causes bad vibes.

Do you think they get fed up with the whining?

[psychocandy]

On a serious note, I dont expect permies to greet me as the new messiah but I've worked a few places where the man who reads the meter gets a friendlier welcome. Current client included.

There is no need to plonk contractors in the corner and ignore them and dont even bother speaking to them. It just causes bad vibes.

Then again, I've worked at places where you wouldnt even know who the contractors and permies were. All part of the one team. IMHO this is what works best.

[Old Greg]

I'm an atheist though

Well at least you're a British atheist.

[Platypus]

More like:

Not that old MarillionFan photo AGAIN

[Unix]

Only God can help you, well maybe

I'm an atheist though

[The Spartan]

I don't know, perhaps a psychiatrist could help me?

Only God can help you, well maybe

[MyUserName]

I don't know, perhaps a psychiatrist could help me?

Doubt it

[Unix]

So what's your problem?

I don't know, perhaps a psychiatrist could help me?

[Old Greg]

Yes that is true, but do I want to be friends with every permie I meet, especially in a 4 week contract?

So what's your problem?