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.

It's not hard to do as requested by the person who hired you.

Do a good job and keep out of their office politics.

You might get another contract in future too.

If youre a contractor how come you have 1-2-1's and have a manager?

Because we can't be trusted with it 😄

This

”I’m a contractor is typically synonymous for “I think I’m better than you, I definitely get paid more, and because I’m not a permanent employee I don’t stick to the rules, I just move on.”

It’s smug and self righteous and doesn’t show you in a good light.

Honestly? What is demotivating about the senior person being a contractor? Is it that junior staff on temporary contracts hope to be made permanent so, if the senior people also aren’t permanent, it discourages them?

Personally I would not ever want to be a contractor, but particularly in the current job market.

I do also think there’s a huge difference between being hired on a short term contract as a junior and as a “standalone professional”. As a junior there is no certainty in the role but you don’t have much choice as you need to get your foot in the door and get experience on your CV. A “standalone professional” can pick and choose if they have such a wealth of contacts and experience.

I was a contractor for many years. It can be demotivating to permanent staff knowing a contractors rate as they are always significantly higher paid. This is likely what your manager was alluding to. Of course as a contractor you have to pay your own tax, NI, pension, holidays etc but many people just see that salary difference and are aggrieved. Ive no idea why you would be upset. Is this your first job? If not you must be aware of office politics. Emailing to say you are upset will make you look like a crack pot tbh and I doubt they'd contract you again.

Yes, they were the ones gone quickly and we had to start with a new person all over again.

@Ohpleeeease

If any of the contractors I work with would just vanish without saying that they take time off or would often take time of during time-critical periods they wouldn't be a contrator long.

You still have to work with others unless you are contracted to work solely independent and nobody is bothered if you are there or not.

I understand that you're proud of being good at your job but I don't understand why you are proud of being a contractor who is paid, generally, a lot more then other staff to compensate for the lack of job security, holiday pay, sick pay and pension.

If you work with junior staff on temporary contracts who have no more security, and not much more in benefits, than you, then it's just crass that you would even think of mentioning it in front of them, never mind complain about being asked not to.

Hmm, it maybe depends on the industry. Here in the public sector I’d defo keep quiet as it means you earn at least twice as much money for the same job

Have you considered getting it tattooed on your forehead?

My assumption is that all people in senior positions are women.

It needs to be something like Crazy Star PhD MBA - Expert Consultant (Contractor).

It is normal.

Red Dwarf style…

And why exactly did they need to tell you this? What was the trigger?

There are a lot of assumptions but it really depends on whether it's about being discreet or whether it's about the employer's transparency, or lack of transparency. If they're trying to get you to basically keep secrets about your status on their behalf then no, that's not on. If it's just a word to the wise for your own benefit then YABU.

Exactly. These comments don't come out of nowhere.

Wondering if the OP's experience mirrors mine...

First "proper" job out of uni, early 2000s. I was brought on at the company where I'd had my sandwich year.

They didn't have budget for permanent hires (government agency funded), so I was brought on initially as a contractor on £15 an hour - roughly equivalent to £30k salary, eventually becoming permanent a year later.

There were two recent hires who got in two months before me, who were permanent employees - on £20k.
One of them didn't care, but the other was VERY upset about it, and was sure to let it the "unfairness" be known. I was discreet but another contractor was very open about completing their timesheets, etc. in front of her and it caused a lot of resentment and tension.

Sounds to me like the manager is just seeking some discretion in the name of team harmony, rather than being an arsehole.

Take on board what your boss has said. As simple as that.

As someone that works somewhere that hires contractors...you don't need to mention it...However....due to IR35 I know ours have to have a signature that states they are a contractor and not an employee.
So they are going to find out, and they will just have to suck it up. You are all on contracts.

Seems strange that your boss had to say that. The people who need to know you are a contractor do. The others do not need to know. I would take on Board what the person who contracted you said and perhaps accept that they have given you good advice that will stand to you in other work situations.

What is your point OP? Why do you think anyone cares about your expertise other than you? Are peeps supposed to be impressed and applaud when you enter the room?
I'm an expert in my field but I don't feel the need to tell everyone about it. I let my work output and knowledge of the subject do the talking.

@crazystar - "... 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."

You need to ask? Seriously?