My New manager’s comment to me

[crazystar]

My new boss commented “don’t talk about being a contractor as it can be quite de-motivating” to junior staff on temporary contracts

how would you take this ? I’m quite proud of my contractor status - it’s taken years to become an expert on my field and be valued as a standalone professional. So this felt jarring.

I had drafted an email to say I was upset but then pressed delete - we’ve a one to one tomorrow , is it worth raising? Or head down as I’ve not long to go here.

Why do you need to tell everyone though?

A lot of contractors are not that good but paid substantially more than permanent staff. So if you are new, I would suggest not talking about it either until people get to know you better.

Could you get a badge made that says "I'm a contractor" to let everyone know that way?

Head down and crack on is obviously the thing to do. As I’m sure you know, as a contractor, you don’t shit on the hand that may feed you again in the future.

Why raise it, a lot of people are sensitive as they don’t get the same employment rights and would rather a permanent employee.

I would feel a bit mortified as presumably the manager mentioned it because either they had observed you telling people or someone else has said to them that you tend to do this and others find it off-putting. Surely as a contractor you wouldn't raise it because (a) you might want to work there again and (b) you're a seasoned professional in your field and you know the lay of the land and how it is best to present yourself when at work.

Yes, you can be proud of your expertise and experience, but I’d focus on being part of the team instead of highlighting that you are a ‘standalone professional’.

Does it really matter - Is it something you need to talk about regularly? If not then I don’t see what the issue is, your manager has a good point, fair enough you’re proud of yourself and it sounds like it’s for good reason, but it sounds like you’re talking about it often is she has bought it up.

You are probably annoying colleagues by bragging about your terms and conditions when they feel they do similar value work to you.

I think it is a bit embarrassing that you expect your feelings to be managed when you're obviously not too fussed about the feelings of others.

I don't understand your post. Who did the manager say this to? How are you and the junior contractors working together? De-motivating to whom? This makes no sense to me.

Do you talk about it to other staff?

The manager said it to the OP.

It’s in the thread title.

If you're there to do a specific job anyone who needs to know will already know and the rest couldn't care less one way or the other.

If you're not there to do a specific job and your company are stretching it by putting you on a temporary contract then experience or not you're just the same as everyone else.

Also embarrassing that an “expert in their field” and a “standalone professional” should even need to ask this.

How does this even come up in a conversation with the junior staff for it to be an issue?

You haven't been there long, you've been told not to say something and you are going to complain that you're offended. WoW, it's hard to find a good job..I would practise you're learning to STFU skills if I were you.

Ah, so the manager said to (senior, contractor) OP, don't bang on to the junior staff about (their? Or her?) contractor status?

If they are young people who were not offered permanent job contracts then "Stop reminding the juniors that they have no job security" seems like a very reasonable request?

agree, @Goldfsh

Yeah your status as a 'standalone professional' isn't likely to be particularly motivational to staff who are supposed to be heavily focussed on working as a team.

The person who's paying you asked you don't bring it up. Presumably you want work with them again so just do as they ask.

It's not like you need to announce it. No contractor I've ever worked with felt the urge to announce themselves as such.

And if it might be demotivating why would you want to have that effect on the business you are supporting with your standalone professionally superior skills?

How do you know it's a "she"?

👏🤣

If you're a genuine contractor I'm not sure manager is the term, but don't piss them off it they control the budget that employs you.

Sorry but you need to be privately proud and definitely a bit more savvy.

Your new boss is absolutely right.

I doubt very much you'll be invited back due to your lack of discretion.

Keep your head down and do a good job would be my advice!

Or just start innocently singing,

I'm a contractor and I'm OK,
I sleep all night and I work all day