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  1. #1
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Weird things employers say and do.

    We take consulting jobs based on a defined scope of work outlined in a contract with an end date. I'm constantly amazed by what employers try to pull. We learned a long time ago to put our feet down and say no. Here are just a few.

    Eight months into the contract, just before the holidays, "We're having money issues. Will you stay on for less?" No. Read the contract.

    Four months after the end of the contract, "We just need a little help here and there. It won't take much time. We'll just have people e-mail you now and then with questions." No. You want it, you pay for it.

    "We don't know how much longer we'll need you. I'll let you know week to week." No. Same person, the next week, "You already found something else?" Yes.

    And my personal favorite, from someone who contacted us regarding frequent travel to IN, "As I said in the e-mail, frequent travel to India." No discussion. Thank you for your interest. "Wait a minute. Don't you want to talk about it?" No. IN means Indiana.

    What are your favorites from the people you work for?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    Being a computer programmer, this is all anyone tries to do. You come in you ask them what they want, specifically you map it all out you give them a price. They never like the price. Always get your 50% deposit up front. It never fails they start trying to making changes almost right away. You tell them no this is what you specked out and approved. Make sure you have the approval in writing. Which each change you then start giving them much larger number then they do not like that, your ripping them off, this change shouldn't take this much. It does actually take longer to change computer code than write it correctly the first time. So changes do cost more. These are changes to the specification. Make sure you are getting paid throughout the process. Because a lot of times if they can't get the changes they want they will call off the project and not pay you. Your 50% deposit help disaude this. However, it is not uncommon to say spec out a $20k software project and have it cost $30k when done because of changes they made. Also make sure you specify who is going to put in the data. A lot of times you get done and say here you go here is your application, and they say well it doesn't work there is no data. Can you please populate the data for us. Which Sure for another $10k and after you pay us for what your original contract says. Which says you will be providing the data.

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    I worked at a state agency years ago when about 35 of us were asked to go to the break room. The Executive Director came in and the doors were closed. I thought 'uh oh' because rumours had swirled for weeks. He spoke for about five minutes and the gist was 'Thanks for your work'. He exited. The HR Director then stood up, said we were dismissed effective immediately, and had about 20 minutes to clean out our desks. About half a dozen police circulated through the building while we did so. That was one of the more surreal employment experiences I have had.


    The owner, and VP, of another former employer, gave us a pep talk during a challenging time. The owner was pretty upbeat. The VP picked up the ball and said (I'm quoting almost verbatim) 'If you don't like it here you can leave.'


    Well. I'm glad you care so much.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

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  6. #4
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Kleb View Post
    I worked at a state agency years ago when about 35 of us were asked to go to the break room. The Executive Director came in and the doors were closed. I thought 'uh oh' because rumours had swirled for weeks. He spoke for about five minutes and the gist was 'Thanks for your work'. He exited. The HR Director then stood up, said we were dismissed effective immediately, and had about 20 minutes to clean out our desks. About half a dozen police circulated through the building while we did so. That was one of the more surreal employment experiences I have had.


    The owner, and VP, of another former employer, gave us a pep talk during a challenging time. The owner was pretty upbeat. The VP picked up the ball and said (I'm quoting almost verbatim) 'If you don't like it here you can leave.'


    Well. I'm glad you care so much.
    I knew a guy who worked for a very large company which had a mandatory two week vacation for everyone over Christmas and the New Year. When the employees returned, they would know whether or not they still had jobs depending on whether or not there was a pink slip on their desks. This happened every single year. Happy Holidays!

  7. #5
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    A friend was honoured for his work, innovation, creativity, all the money he had brought into a large company, in a special ceremony for him on Friday. On the following Monday he was informed his services were no longer required. He landed on his feet though. Took the summer off to be with his girls before they grew up any more and then got a better job with more pay and more regard for him.
    Hidden Content

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    Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
    Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content

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  9. #6
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by janedoe View Post
    I knew a guy who worked for a very large company which had a mandatory two week vacation for everyone over Christmas and the New Year. When the employees returned, they would know whether or not they still had jobs depending on whether or not there was a pink slip on their desks. This happened every single year. Happy Holidays!
    Happy New Year!

    Quote Originally Posted by Snowshoe View Post
    A friend was honoured for his work, innovation, creativity, all the money he had brought into a large company, in a special ceremony for him on Friday. On the following Monday he was informed his services were no longer required. He landed on his feet though. Took the summer off to be with his girls before they grew up any more and then got a better job with more pay and more regard for him.
    Oh, justice must have felt sweet.
    -----------
    On a more upbeat note.

    Some years ago I interviewed for a front office position with a small organization I really, really wanted to work at. I prepped by doing things rarely done then, nearly required now - customised my resume and cover letter, deeply researched the employer - and so on. I knew the interview went well and was invited back to interview with the VP, who asked what we now call behavioural and situational questions. How I dealt with difficult people, how I handled criticism, that kind of thing. I felt pretty good about things. Then she asked 'Do you cry easily?'

    Uhhhhhhh . . . . . I wasn't prepared for that one. After what felt like ten minutes (and was probably about ten seconds) I blurted out the first marginally intelligent thing that came to mind.

    'I got over that a long time ago.'

    She burst into laughter. I knew I was in.

    Turned out the Executive Director had a short fuse and could be very cutting in his judgments. Three people had left this position in the last three months, one leaving at lunch the first day and not coming back.

    I was there over eight years. Still have occasional contact with several people I worked with there, including the ED.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

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  11. #7
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    I practice employment law (which is why I'm rarely ever on any more, been so busy!), I have literally heard it all. I was naive when I started, thought there was no way sexual harassment and surely not race discrimination were all that common. Some of the things I have heard have left me scratching my head like why would anyone say those things to another person!!!

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  13. #8
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arentspowell View Post
    I practice employment law (which is why I'm rarely ever on any more, been so busy!), I have literally heard it all. I was naive when I started, thought there was no way sexual harassment and surely not race discrimination were all that common. Some of the things I have heard have left me scratching my head like why would anyone say those things to another person!!!

    I am thrilled that you are out of school and crazy busy practicing law! We all remember when you got accepted!

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  15. #9
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shelley View Post
    I am thrilled that you are out of school and crazy busy practicing law! We all remember when you got accepted!
    Aww thanks Shelley! It's crazy how time flies, that was 2012! I was still in college when I got Daisy in 2010 and joined this board. She's now 7 and Lily, who I got in law school just turned 5!

    But yes it's going really well, very hectic at times but I love what I do.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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