Reply to: Where does one stand in this situation

[firehawk]

no worries. well, I did everything I could in my power.

but anyway, its done and dusted unfortunately, but I thank all the people who have helped and got my confidence up from the past weekend. really appreciate it

now to try and get my confidence all the way up....and get the next contract ASAP.

[northernladuk]

I dont think you understood the whole situation im afraid. there comes a point when enough is enough, everyone is different - we all cannot be the same.

There does indeed but I don't see enough evidence to show that all methods were used to try and deal with the situation in a professional way before throwing in the towel in thats all.

I see two different issues which could be linked but now how you are suggesting it. I see a warning and a pay cut due to your work which isn't a decision made lightly and by one person, I also see a colleague allegedly bullying you for not being good.

Which one of the two are you saying is wrong and are not happy with? The bullying or the warnings?

You are right however I do not understand the full situation as I don't know your role and the other side etc... I am just responding to what I am reading on here and apologies if I am firing wide off the mark.

[firehawk]

I dont think you understood the whole situation im afraid. there comes a point when enough is enough, everyone is different - we all cannot be the same.

[northernladuk]

Anyone gets cocky with me and they will be spoken to. If they get out of line again I will speak to them outside.

After reading the thread I see lots of good replies for lots of different situations but I am sorry I have to say I don't think the OP has handled this in the best way at all and to be a little bit mean has wimped out here. The bottom line for me was this was all by telephone. He can dish it but the OP can't say his piece and stand his ground?? Something is not right there. Now I have dealt with the French and I have found their literal translation to be very straightforward in the past so I would bet my last dollar this is part of it. They may say the words due but not totally mean it due to translation.

I copy Minestrones reply in as I don't know if this was meant tongue in cheek but I have done this twice in my career and it worked. Both times we never resolved the issue but he certainly knew I wouldn't take it so from there on work was frosty but that was all.

I didn't see what level of position you were in but I would expect a business owner and seasoned contractor in a senior postion to have dealt with this in a much firmer way. Talk to the person, find what his problem is and try and resolve, if that don't work make it clear in no uncertain terms him card is marked. Gather evidence and then chat to his managers, HR, the agent and so on and THEN finally walk.

Sorry to the OP, must be horrible situation you were in as bullying isn't nice but something doesn't sound right about this and I think there are two sides to this story.

Sorry, didn't see this which kind of adds to my firm stance...

they also said that the client doesnt want me to go there unless I need to pick up personal property - how insulting to some extent.

it is not insulting at all not being allowed back on to site. It is business. You threw your cards in and you think the client is being insulting??? This shores up my opinion this story isn't the real situation. Sorry

[firehawk]

no idea. i even interviewed candidates for this job as they required 2 contractors including me and they never even went for any of them.

[Zippy]

You should get paid for last week. Fill in zero hours for this week.

It doesn't sound like the agent was surprised - I wonder why?

[firehawk]

interesting.

well they kinda called me towards the end of the day (the agency). saying that they are expecting a 2 week additional invoice (so from last week up until 14th of June) which is odd. they also said that the client doesnt want me to go there unless I need to pick up personal property - how insulting to some extent.

WOW..... they turn it around. interesting.

[lukemg]

Fair enough, sorry to be harsh, looks like you have had a tough time and need a sounding board.
I have tried to cause significant change in various places but unless I was in a role senior enough to do this, it was usually unwelcome and severely weakened my position. People just can't deal with someone telling them the place is a joke because they take it personally. Maybe I should still be like this but I like getting paid.
You need to talk to the agent but only to limit possible damage and walk away, if you have specifics let them know but don't bother with a huge explanation it will just sound like whinging and that a nasty man said horrible things to you.

[firehawk]

agreed and thats the way I would do things however it was impossible as this guy was based in France (british, but moved to france)..... so only method of comms was by telephone!

[minestrone]

Anyone gets cocky with me and they will be spoken to. If they get out of line again I will speak to them outside.

[firehawk]

totally understand where you are coming from

but hey, not my fault if they cant provide the right tools or documents and did tell them before but nothing came of it. if they want to blame others, just shows that they cannot accept their own wrong doings or listen.

there were no daily or regular meetings either! I mean come on, thats like P/Mmgt 101

[lukemg]

Sorry but unlike you, i refuse to be abused or bullied by anyone.... and people have to learn their mistakes.

furthermore in the time i was there, they already had 2 other contractors and had got rid of them within days, i was the longer lasting one. im not the only one that has had this problem, permie staff have had that too. - i know what im doing.

You don't have to convince me, I am just telling you what they are thinking - After 9 clients over 14 years contracting, I have seen this and most of the other things you can expect.
Forget the others who couldn't hack it or the perms or who was right, no one cares. You will be getting slagged rotten and you are out of pocket - that is your reality, everyone else will carry on getting paid and blaming you for the lot now you are gone - end of !

[firehawk]

I know what you mean mate, im not sensitive/overly sensitive at all - it was absolutely brutal and have a tough skin, but this was just ridiculous given the fact that there were NO DOCUMENTS OF ANY KIND to follow, read or understand...and expected to do something, make something from thin air......im not a magician, sorry

[gricerboy]

I find that it's best in these situations not to be over sensitive. When you feel you are being picked on, imagine yourself in a big bubble. Once inside your imaginary bubble, their words won't be able to get to you. And don't be ashamed to sneak off to the toilets and have a good cry.

[suityou01]

I think you really ought to tell the agent your side of the story. Get the boot in first to protect your own interests. Don't rant, but be polite and firm, and put it in writing.

You might end up doing a big favour for future contractors there.

careful what you put in writing