"Sigh..."
Started a new gig today, I met with client(s) last week after they informed agency they liked the look of my CV. 5 minute meeting with them, although the main boss was off on leave so I think they were just checking me out (from what I can gather I was the only candidate).
Anyway, arrives today.. (public sector). Met by my new client (dept. manager) who has me sat at her desk for 15 minutes whilst she sorts out her breakfast first.. ok no big deal, I'm invoicing for it, who cares.
Gets introduced to HER boss at 9.15am and within 10 mins I'm presented with a HUGE spreadsheet (which is blank) and told that my 'research' role will be to get this filled in by Wednesday as she has an important meeting and needs all the figures. The 'research' is basically to go through about 4531532532 different other reports (in read-only PDF) and put the figures/averages/etc into this master one. Pretty much a data entry/collation job?... After nodding my head and agreeing to the requirements etc, I then asked what was to be done beyond Wednesday. After finding out that the 'project' which in the job spec mentions PRINCE2 etc is actually just a 'just go and do it'.. no methodology, no PRINCE2, nothing.. (I just got my Practitioner a few weeks ago and this was the main selling point of the contract for me). The implementation of the quality framework consists of "now you have the data, go and speak to the people who scored bad and just ask them to do it better"....
Rest of morning I was introduced to everyone as "Hi this is Chris, he's temporary agency staff, he's with us for a short period"... "ok".
Well I spent the day doing my best with the spreadsheet with no help or assistance as nobody was available. Come lunchtime I was contemplating sitting client down and explaining there had been some confusion over the role and that I wasn't planning to continue, but I kept my mouth shut and cracked on until 5. Several times throughout the day she asked me "You are coming back tomorrow right? We've not put you off??"... to which I had to try and pretend to laugh as if it was a funny joke, but in my mind I was actually thinking she wasn't far from the truth.
The gig I took on a very low rate only on the basis it was a PRINCE2 project, and being at the bottom of the ladder in this area thought it was worth doing just for the experience on CV more than anything. Now that this is not even in the equation, as well as the fact it's not even in IT, I'm now stuck with the choice of "do it for money", or execute my rights within the contract to terminate with zero notice within the first week (I need to check this is both ways, and not just the client side). Strangely enough I had my signed contract in an envelope ready to post today and as I walked out the door this morning I asked my other half not to post it just to give me a first day tester.. I'm guessing if the clause is both ways then I should send it off, email agency tonight with reasons, and send my 1 day invoice in? I'd rather be working on my Plan B with no income to the company, than doing a pointless job with over 2hrs travel every day for peanuts.
Not a good day, looks like back on the bench/plan B tomorrow...
On the upside at least I'll spend the full Xmas with the kids and get pissed!! ??
Started a new gig today, I met with client(s) last week after they informed agency they liked the look of my CV. 5 minute meeting with them, although the main boss was off on leave so I think they were just checking me out (from what I can gather I was the only candidate).
Anyway, arrives today.. (public sector). Met by my new client (dept. manager) who has me sat at her desk for 15 minutes whilst she sorts out her breakfast first.. ok no big deal, I'm invoicing for it, who cares.
Gets introduced to HER boss at 9.15am and within 10 mins I'm presented with a HUGE spreadsheet (which is blank) and told that my 'research' role will be to get this filled in by Wednesday as she has an important meeting and needs all the figures. The 'research' is basically to go through about 4531532532 different other reports (in read-only PDF) and put the figures/averages/etc into this master one. Pretty much a data entry/collation job?... After nodding my head and agreeing to the requirements etc, I then asked what was to be done beyond Wednesday. After finding out that the 'project' which in the job spec mentions PRINCE2 etc is actually just a 'just go and do it'.. no methodology, no PRINCE2, nothing.. (I just got my Practitioner a few weeks ago and this was the main selling point of the contract for me). The implementation of the quality framework consists of "now you have the data, go and speak to the people who scored bad and just ask them to do it better"....
Rest of morning I was introduced to everyone as "Hi this is Chris, he's temporary agency staff, he's with us for a short period"... "ok".
Well I spent the day doing my best with the spreadsheet with no help or assistance as nobody was available. Come lunchtime I was contemplating sitting client down and explaining there had been some confusion over the role and that I wasn't planning to continue, but I kept my mouth shut and cracked on until 5. Several times throughout the day she asked me "You are coming back tomorrow right? We've not put you off??"... to which I had to try and pretend to laugh as if it was a funny joke, but in my mind I was actually thinking she wasn't far from the truth.
The gig I took on a very low rate only on the basis it was a PRINCE2 project, and being at the bottom of the ladder in this area thought it was worth doing just for the experience on CV more than anything. Now that this is not even in the equation, as well as the fact it's not even in IT, I'm now stuck with the choice of "do it for money", or execute my rights within the contract to terminate with zero notice within the first week (I need to check this is both ways, and not just the client side). Strangely enough I had my signed contract in an envelope ready to post today and as I walked out the door this morning I asked my other half not to post it just to give me a first day tester.. I'm guessing if the clause is both ways then I should send it off, email agency tonight with reasons, and send my 1 day invoice in? I'd rather be working on my Plan B with no income to the company, than doing a pointless job with over 2hrs travel every day for peanuts.
Not a good day, looks like back on the bench/plan B tomorrow...
On the upside at least I'll spend the full Xmas with the kids and get pissed!! ??
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