I think my client might destroy my reputation

[rantyknickers]

I have a contract at the moment which I really really need as I'm skint and have no other work.

However, I am very worried that it might damage my reputation. I am in a creative industry and am being employed as a project manager.

However the CEO keeps firing companies he has asked to do the work! The first one he fired because, after the event, he decided that he didn't like the budget that had been signed off (by the COO) and refused to pay them. Eventually, after much wrangling, they settled for less than half what they had been promised.

The company he drafted in to replace them has now just been fired because they threatened to not deliver one project due to non-payment. They have now been paid but all future commissions have been cancelled with them.

I am supposed to be the project manager but all my advice is ignored. Not even a discussion, just "I've made my decision".

I'm a big girl and can cope with this but am worried that this is a small industry and I don't want to be associated with this company. The CEO has asked me to recommend other companies to quote for the work but I can't as I don't want any of my other contacts to be treated in this way.

I need to leave don't I! But my concern is, they owe me about £5,000 and if I leave I won't see a penny of it.

I had something a bit like this recently. All I can say is stick to your guns, make sure you have a contract if possible (not possible in my work), and if not have EVERYTHING on emails, and keep them - even if you have a telephone conversation about something, follow up immediately with an email 'to confirm/recap' etc.

If they are truly this much of a bunch of arses to work for, then I wouldn't worry about your reputation because anyone else who's ever had any dealing with them will know.

It's an arse, but the only way to deal with people like this is to utterly firm, and charge like a Spanish bull .

I have a contract with them and am putting everything on email.

However a number of people are suing him for non-payment so I'm not entirely sure what my chances would be!

But yes, I shall continue to charge!

Ranty, when I see a pattern of non-payment it makes me suspicious that the company is in financial trouble.

Lots of companies look OK but have big loans/debts to service. In that case, if they go bust, no one is going to get anything. I don't want to freak you out but is that a possibility? That this CEO gets the work done and then doesn't pay for it (because he can't) by making up reasons not to pay?

If I were you I would stay put but start to look for something else.

Yes EVERYTHING IN WRITING.

Can you contact the other companies and ask them what they think the issue is? It does sounds like they are in the £ poo and just making excuses.

You can always go to the small claims if you have too, very good service, but even if you win you might not see the £.

I feel for you, but seeing as they owe you I'd really stop now. Can you go above his head.