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.

Ha ha ha, brilliant.. Why doesn't MN have a laughing emoji!

You come across as quite arrogant in your post - it reads as if you think you're better than the employed staff. If you come across the same way in real life, your boss is probably subtly trying to put you back in your box so you don't embarrass yourself and create an atmosphere in the work place by pissing off your colleagues all at the same time?

And maybe follow up with a rendition of 'Simply the best, better than all the rest'? Maybe wear a Tina Turner wig so people really appreciate your brilliance?

Lots of people are contracters including my OH, I would concentrate on just being part of the team and sharing your expertise ( which is nothing to do with your employment status) instead of creating a false divide.

It’s generally consultants who are perceived as the stand alone professional, contractors usually brought in when the company can’t afford or want a full time head count addition. Many companies do it. And often contractors do feel lesser, as they don’t have the same protections.

so your manager is right, it can be a sensitive subject. It’s lovely you feel proud of it. And it’s a career choice for you, but for many others it is not. They’d prefer the safety net of full employment.

so have some empathy.

You've clearly upset someone. Best not to shout it from the rooftops in that case.

I wouldn't associate a contractor with 'expert/standalone profesional' though, anywhere I've worked they get paid a load more than regular staff and are only in the team to quickly fill posts until a permanent member of staff can be recruited.

In fact most contractors I've worked with have been useless

I work with several contractors on a project, it's very clear to everyone as their email addresses are different to permanent staff.

Often I feel my employer makes the wrong decision as some of them change a lot and the permanent staff has to start again with a new person knowing nothing and it takes valuable time to bring them up to speed so it could be that there is plenty of internal eye rolling of "another one of those".

Some are nice, some ok and some shouldn't be there in the first place, like any other colleague.

It's a reasonable request from your boss, OP, and it doesn't sounds like it affects your work at all. You don't need to be offended, just get on with it.

I’m assuming you’re fairly new to contracting. Managers will not be particularly keen to be managing your feelings. Go in, do a good job, don’t cause problems. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you (and may continue to do so again in the future).

I mean it depends. Have you been going on about being a contractor and telling everyone who'll listen? In that case, he has a point.

Or is it more just you'll mention it if it comes up in conversation naturally? Like it's not something you'd hide but not something you'd brag about either? In that case, he's being stupid.

Sounds like a Davod Brent type of manager. Just keep your head down and ignore.

After I ceased to be an employee I worked for a uni as a consultant but I never discussed my status. So I would keep quiet about it among your colleagues. Why allow them to know your private business? Many employees are jealous of the self employed because of our ability to claim expenses and manipulate the tax system. Whereas on PAYE you just get ripped off. They forget that there are no paid hlidays, sick leave or company pensions for the contractor.

It just sounds bizarre to me. I've been a contractor for over a decade and everywhere I've worked it's been a requirement to put that on email signatures, and often all the contractors have had different security badges. If you're working outside of IR35 it should be clear to anyone that you're not permanent staff.

Fair point, could be a “he” but doesn’t change my point.

I suppose it does make a nice change from people assuming managers, doctors, etc are males though.

Some are nice, some ok and some shouldn't be there in the first place, like any other colleague.

The difference is, why on earth aren't management removing them from post if they're useless, they have zero rights? The really useless contractors I've worked with are normally gone within a month.

I wouldn’t expect a contractor to have a boss, that’s the beauty of it. I know someone who is a genuine contractor, she worked briefly as an employee because she thought it would be more secure and was shocked to find she needed to tell people when she took time off. Needless to say she’s back on contracts.

Perhaps what this person is giving you is a tactful heads-up about sensitivities for junior people on fixed term employment. They don’t see themselves as contractors, they are people whose jobs are finite and insecure. Take the hint, even if it doesn’t strictly cover your terms of employment.

The issue is likely that contractors get paid a lot more for doing a similar job to employed staff. A lot of employed staff leave and come back as contractors to get paid more.

TBH I don’t think it is anyone’s business what your employment contract status is. You’re hired to do a job, as is each member of the team, and the requirement is to get on and do that job.

I think the new manager had a point.

It’s a bit silly of the manager to say something like that but at the same time I have no clue why you would care so much or bother sending an email . I’d just be like “ok fair enough” especially on literally your first day when you have absolutely no clue about the place or its politics .

I have expertise and experience that is excellent. My company pays for that through my salary and I’m not first on the list to be got rid of when work drops off. That’s the only reason my company brings in contractors rather than full time employees.

Your pride in your status isn't relevant to anyone else. It's good that you deleted the mail. As a contractor, you should be able to manage your own upset over something so minor and get on with doing the job you're paid (presumably well) to do.

Wouldn’t raise it - water off a duck’s back, don’t let your ego get in the way, you know you’re good and they’re happy to pay for your expertise.

it would make me feel like when my boss says “we can’t have temp dental nurses they’re too expensive” but we aren’t 😶
10000% demoralised

Change your pronouns in your email to “Contractor”