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.

You could phrase it that you are maternity cover for this job but in the past you have also been a contractor doing the same type of work, and list the projects that you have been on it anybody enquires. Otherwise why would you need to blow your own trumpet.

Why would anyone enquire though. The OP is very confident in her skillset, which is fine, but her colleagues are clearly complaining

Gosh, you sound a bit of a pain tbh

If you want to be seen as a right pain in the neck, then crack on and raise it with your manager. Personally I'd keep my head down and do the job without feeling the need to flag my so called special skills.

It used to, I think. People complained it was being used to laugh at, not with, do ig got removed

As a contractor you’re a guest in the business and sending emails making waves is probably not going to help your reputation. Do as they’ve asked, do your job and go home. Easy peasy.

Ok so you’re not a contractor, you’re an employee doing mat cover. That would be why your manager is telling you to stop telling everyone you’re a contractor. Because you are not and it’s probably making you sound silly.
My dh is a consultant there’s no way he would go into a company to cover maternity leave on paye

You are a contractor which means you suck it up and stop being so sensitive! Unless you specifically don't want to get another contract working for this company again (or any other future company that your manager might have contacts with......)

You are a contractor which means you suck it up and stop being so sensitive! Unless you specifically don't want to get another contract working for this company again (or any other future company that your manager might have contacts with......)

Read the room. People don’t care you’re a super knowledgeable hero amongst mere mortals. You’re clearly annoying people with arrogance.

Just let the comment go.

If you're a contractor, you're not an employee and they're not your boss. They are your client. Sounds like you don't really get the difference between being a contractor and a temp. You shouldn't need to tell anyone what your status is, just get on deliver the piece of work you're contracted to provide.

I’m confused if you’re a contractor - why are you having 1-2-1’s with a Manager? Contractors are paid a huge day rate for their expertise and seen as experts and same level as SLT -it doesn’t sound like you’re a contractor or that you’ll be getting a another contract with this company again

You aren't demotivating to these colleagues. The company are by hiring younger staff on shitty temp contracts that allow them to ditch them easily and potentially not giving them the same benefits as perm staff. Not your issue as someone who chooses to jump from contract to contract and has a bit more power over the flexibility.

I've worked with lots of contractors. Some massively overpaid for the level of expertise they had (though all very confident), others massively experienced on their field and you'd be curious how you get to be like that. It never, as a more junior permanent member of staff, made me feel demotivated, as I say, I think that's a company problem.

So you are on a fixed term contract doing mat leave cover? I don't think that's anything to be bragging about tbh 😅

lol. You are contractor and shouldn't need or expect to be molly coddled. You are not the early in career person here are you? You are there to do a job and be mature about it. Your manager will assess your impact, who cares about everyone else knowing your status. I’ve managed teams with many contractors, I can tell you as soon as a contractor becomes hard work, it’s goodbye time. Do the job. Don’t be hard work to manage. Your manager will appreciate and respect you far more than if you start being dramatic.

The question is, what were you telling them? Was it about the benefits, the high day rate, or something else? To be honest, if I were you, I’d feel uncomfortable discussing your manager’s comment further. When I was contracting on a day rate for three years with major brands, I kept that information to myself. I simply went in, did my job, and didn’t mention money to anyone, as it could easily demotivate others. I was earning in 4–5 months what some same level peers made in a year. For me, it was always about providing value, sharing knowledge, and getting the job done. One of the best things about contracting was not having to deal with company politics or gossip. Having conversations like this feels like the opposite of that.

You’re a contractor so you are there to support your boss, who understandably wants to keep junior staff motivated.
Candidly, you are a bought commodity and your feelings don’t matter, although any decent boss will be more human about things.

I get contractors in to make my life easier, not to then get sh*t from them about their feelings. I’d be really irritated if I got that email because it’s immature and creates yet more problems for me. If a contractor isn’t adding value and making the manager’s life easier it is usually goodbye time.

All of that said, it’s a weird lack of transparency if noone knows you’re a contractor and speaks to a strange culture. I just think that is in your manager’s control rather than yours.

Oh I think people in that position call themselves "consultants" 😁

wtf are you on about?!?! Get over it.

Agree, and this from the OP:

"I had drafted an email to say I was upset"...

Hope for the sake of future contracts, you didn't raise it OP.

This

As a happy retired ex contractor I am confused.

You can't be a contractor and have a "manager". As a contractor you have a client. Big difference and very important if you ever find yourself subject to an IR35 review.

As for hurt feelings, I mean come on, as a seasoned contractor you turn up, deliver to time and quality and submit an invoice. Rinse and repeat as required.

It’s inside ir35
we are still contracted

Or head down as I’ve not long to go here.

this is completely a non-problem. Why rock the boat. You are out of there soon, so just forget it and move on. You may want to contract there in the future and that manager may be gone then, so what's the point of tainting the relationship.

And maybe take on board their point that your terms and conditions are not something to discuss with others.

This post was some time go now - I am confidently sharing my previous experiences and applying it to my role. What’s the point of experience if you can’t