A polite note to all contractors

[JeffreyC]

If you happen to work through an umbrella company, may I make the following polite note...

It is NOT our fault if you are too much of a cretin to inform us of your hours, meaning that we don't invoice your client and your pay is delayed for a bit.

WE ARE NOT MIND READERS

Phew... that's a bit better.

[The SMG]

Originally Posted by JeffreyC

If you happen to work through an umbrella company, may I make the following polite note...

It is NOT our fault if you are too much of a cretin to inform us of your hours, meaning that we don't invoice your client and your pay is delayed for a bit.

WE ARE NOT MIND READERS

Phew... that's a bit better.

and they say customer service is dead...

[JeffreyC]

Screw customer service SMG - especially after you've been on the phone to some idiot for 30 minutes who refuses to understand why we weren't able to create an invoice for him.

Are all contractors so rude when they want to blame someone else for their mistakes?

[lurch]

Originally Posted by JeffreyC

Screw customer service SMG - especially after you've been on the phone to some idiot for 30 minutes who refuses to understand why we weren't able to create an invoice for him.

Are all contractors so rude when they want to blame someone else for their mistakes?

Been in the same situation myself, so you have my sympathy.

Equally in the cold light of day I think we can both agree that most of the time things go well and on occasion even great if you get someone who's good to speak to and knows what they are doing (you'll even pull some strings for them if something bad does happen).

Unfortunately it's just the bad eggs (and they are present in every profession) that cause the rare emotional outburst. :)

[JeffreyC]

I'll often pull strings for someone that is polite to me, even if it was partly their fault. But when they're downright rude....

[The SMG]

Originally Posted by lurch

Been in the same situation myself, so you have my sympathy.

Equally in the cold light of day I think we can both agree that most of the time things go well and on occasion even great if you get someone who's good to speak to and knows what they are doing (you'll even pull some strings for them if something bad does happen).

Unfortunately it's just the bad eggs (and they are present in every profession) that cause the rare emotional outburst.

fair point. I once worked in a customer service center at Orange. It was quite an enlightening experience. Up until that point I was always very aggressive with the likes of BT, NTL (back in the day) call centers. The fact is, if you're a complete **** on the phone, it's only human nature for them not to be overly helpful.


My new policy - be polite and respectful of others at all times. And remember contractors, if it's nothing to do with the umbrella company, get on the phone to your agent and give him an earful!

G

[freelancerclive]

Man up. This is business, I have a business to run and haven't got time to spend it on the phone trying to work out what has gone wrong this time.

In case you haven't guessed, I've had exactly this problem before.

[JeffreyC]

I will only say this on here because I have a degree of anonymity as I've never stated what company I work for...

But come on, you don't "have a business" to run. You are an umbrella employee. You're not a real business person, you're not a director. I'm sure you big it up on the client site, but you have taken the simple route in being a contractor.

It's not wrong, it's an option and I wholeheartedly agree with it being the right option for some contractors. But it annoys me when you all talk as if you're running a business. We're running the business.

[The SMG]

Originally Posted by JeffreyC

I will only say this on here because I have a degree of anonymity as I've never stated what company I work for...

But come on, you don't "have a business" to run. You are an umbrella employee. You're not a real business person, you're not a director. I'm sure you big it up on the client site, but you have taken the simple route in being a contractor.

It's not wrong, it's an option and I wholeheartedly agree with it being the right option for some contractors. But it annoys me when you all talk as if you're running a business. We're running the business.

It's a fair point but probably not one that will endear you to Clive. I have to say though, I like your honesty but clearly you have got contractor 'issues' . What have they done that is so bad? Okay you work in a call center or some sort of customer service team but come on, surely you've got to expect a little emotion on the phone, particularly when you're dealing with people's money.

Discuss...

G

[JeffreyC]

My point is that contractors often seem to be overtly rude and self-centred from the off. Sometimes being polite will go a long long way...