Now wouldn't you think that if you are paying a grand a day for an IT consultant

[OrmIrian]

He should be working for you not on the phone for 40 mins discussing a colleague's appraisal?

I'm supposed to be managaing this project. Do I say something or wimp out? I'm crap at stuff like this.

Say something - I'd expect that not to be chargeable time

You absolutely say something. I work in this area and trust me, they take the piss unless you sort it out.

Tell him that you expect 100% and nothing less. He'll like that consultant speak!

email him!

Definitely say something.

I know of one consultant who before xmas was double-charging two clients for his time.

Does he fill in a time sheet or at least invoice you for hours worked? I'd note down how long exactly he was on the phone and make sure his ivoice reflects his reduced hours.

I used to do that when one contractor was moving house and he was spending a lot of time on the phone to solicitors etc.

Last job i worked in i was the only permie member of staff on the project, the rest were consultants, and i'll tell you, they will drag the job out if they can, our consultants used to go and play golf in their lunch hour if the weather was nice, they did make me laugh though glad i wasnt the boss

Ha! Just had to do some work. Consultant needed my help .

I mentioned it in a jokey way. He apologised - he is also a line manager for some others so I suppose it's part of his job too but a bit unfair.

We pay per day or half day.

His daily rate is irrelevant. If you were paying him £50 a day then would you still mind as much? Is he self employed, or part of a big IT firm, whereby the rate bears no relation to his salary, so it might not have occurred to him that you would think about the cost?

And how much time have you spent on MN today whilst still being paid?

Just about enough can'tsleep