Is this normal?

[Signo_cypher]

I started a new contract on 1st November and I have done absolutely nothing!! I only report to one guy and he is so snowed under I expect him to die of a heart attack any time soon!

He just hasn’t got the time to show me anything, I do pester him at least 3 times a day and arrange a time to see him but it always lapses as he is too busy. He hadn’t informed IT of my arrival on day one so spent a week and a half on my own laptop 'creating documentation' I got access to the network the other day and have spent more time surfing than working. Is it wrong to feel guilty?

It is very strange as my 1st contract role was 13 months long and very busy from start to finish, it is as though I have been misplaced and they haven’t found me yet (ps this is a big multinational)

Pps I am not complaining, just bored and need some one to talk too

[wendigo100]

All contracts are like that. Your first was an abberation.

[TheFaQQer]

I'm slowly ploughing my way through documentation. Everyone around me is manic, but the team lead is on holiday now, hence my activity here.

Make hay while the sun shines.

[Bagpuss]

I've got one where I've been working fairly hard, except for the odd day. I've done more work in the last 6 months than the last 6 years. I'm not being renewed, which is odd, because whenever I've done FA they've been very keen to renew. This good impression lark is overated

[alreadypacked]

You never know how a role will turn out, I would start writing status reports and sending them to your manager. On my last project the PM ask me not to post my status report in the project database, as they didn't quite conform to his view of how late the project would be delivered. But I covered my ass.

[DimPrawn]

I've got one where I've been working fairly hard, except for the odd day. I've done more work in the last 6 months than the last 6 years. I'm not being renewed, which is odd, because whenever I've done FA they've been very keen to renew. This good impression lark is overated

You should have spent more time here learning about BTL from sasguru and I.

[chicane]

I started a new contract on 1st November and I have done absolutely nothing!

As alreadypacked stated, your best bet is to cover your arse by sending a daily status report. You may be pestering your manager in person at the mo but there'll be no evidence of this if somebody starts questioning a month down the line why you've not delivered anything.

[Bagpuss]

You should have spent more time here learning about BTL from sasguru and I.

I learn something from you guys every day
Much like when I saw that documentary on Joey Deacon, I realised it wasn't on to laugh at those less fortunate

[Troll]

I started a new contract on 1st November and I have done absolutely nothing!!

I have built a career out of doing nothing, use the time to expand your skills or build up your count posting carp in TPD

HTH

[SandyDown]

As alreadypacked stated, your best bet is to cover your arse by sending a daily status report. You may be pestering your manager in person at the mo but there'll be no evidence of this if somebody starts questioning a month down the line why you've not delivered anything.

Not sure its a good idea to start rocking the boat, you are the new kid on the block, the other guy is snowed under, and he knows everything about the project, if you start rocking the boat now, who's side do you think they'd take the guy who knows everything (even though he is not efficient in delegating) or the new guy who doesn't know anything about the project or the systems - you can escalate, or take someone's who has influence aside and speak to him in a very diplomatic way, showing your keenness to help and be of some use.

I am not dismissing the idea that the other guy is deliberately not willing to give you any work, I'd be worried if I were you, you start the honey moon finishes and everyone expects you to be up and running my now, but what they don't know is that no one gave you any information/instructions or induction, or worse let you go off in the wrong direction deliberately, then you get the sack for being a slow or inadequate learner, and the other guy looks soooo valuable.

OK my point is do something, but keep the guy on your side, don’t start firing emails and status reports and moaning – perhaps a face to face chat with his boss is best