Best and worst things about temping

[schrodingers cat]

Best thing - They don't bother you with their shit. You just do the job and walk away.

Worst thing - Is when on Thursday morning (after 4 months) they say "Oh. We won't need you next week. Personally I like to look for a new job while I'm still in one...

[MIXONE]

Bugger.Oh well at least you'll have more time for riding.

[sidecar bob]

The dumb bint i had temping for me last week left parts off invoices, booked people without writing down what they were coming for & sat on here arse dumping all her shit that she was too feeble to do, onto me.
Makes me suspect that temps are maybe too useless to get a permanent job.

[hellokitty]

The dumb bint i had temping for me last week left parts off invoices, booked people without writing down what they were coming for & sat on here arse dumping all her shit that she was too feeble to do, onto me.
Makes me suspect that temps are maybe too useless to get a permanent job.

I temped for a little while but kept getting job offers - quite a good way to "try before you buy", I must have been good as I had people asking for me.

But saying that, I have had temps where I work too and they have all been useless - would have been better having no one that wasting money on a temp.

[Genie]

Gee, sorry to read about the no job thing. You'll get another real fast. Go to all the temping agencies and tell them how freaking wonderful you are and then, ring some builders.

Between Tuesday and when you start your new job, relax, enjoy the weather, go for a ride.

[Oakie]

Makes me suspect that temps are maybe too useless to get a permanent job.

In my experience they're either really good or quite bad.

[BoristheBiter]

Best thing - They don't bother you with their shit. You just do the job and walk away.

Worst thing - Is when on Thursday morning (after 4 months) they say "Oh. We won't need you next week. Personally I like to look for a new job while I'm still in one...

Sorry about the job thing.

What does your contract say as i was under the impresion that they still had to give you notice or it has to be a fixed term contract.

[schrodingers cat]

Not when you're temping.

Jobs aren't that difficult to get but its a pain in the arse missing a few days earning while you line the next deal up. A bit of warning and its all easy.

Never mind. Weathers nicer so I can get out on the bike waiting for the 'dream job' offer.

[BoristheBiter]

Not when you're temping.

Jobs aren't that difficult to get but its a pain in the arse missing a few days earning while you line the next deal up. A bit of warning and its all easy.

Never mind. Weathers nicer so I can get out on the bike waiting for the 'dream job' offer.

so who is your contract with?
You will still be covered under the empolyment act.
I know when i did my pay and personel course they told us to very careful when dealing with temp contacts and they should always have a end date because if they have an automatic roll over it is still classed as a normal contract

But your right the weather is getting better.

[schrodingers cat]

Originally it was for 3 weeks but has been on a week by week basis since.

Contract with Advanced

[BoristheBiter]

Originally it was for 3 weeks but has been on a week by week basis since.

Contract with Advanced

Then you are due min 1 weeks notice or pay in lue + hol i think (depends on wording)

[Blackshear]

At the plant I work for, we recently laid off 9 temp workers on stop spot.

Sad shit, especially one who was just in the middle of moving house.

[sinned]

Contract work, be it temping, contracting or providing a consulting service needs to be considered as a lifestyle choice or a short term means of income while waiting to get a 'real job'. I haven't had a 'real job' for over 10 years and I love it. If this is your choice you need to plan for down time and that means money in the bank to sustain a few months of no work - not that I have had that problem other than by choice.

Forget about ever going down the employment law route as suggested in previous posts. If you do contract work be prepared to be laid off with little notice. If you make a fuss you will be history in the contract market. I report to my employer in writing every week on what I said I would do, what I have done/produced and what I plan to do/produce in the next week or period. I also say to her, if you are unhappy I will redo for free or you can terminate the contract and I will go quietly. When contracting you are only as good as your last job. Make sure you charge what you are worth. Remember you are just like a rental car; cost per day is high but there is no or a low engagement fee and no cost of termination.

It is difficult to find another contract / job while working. I don't bother but wait until one job has finished and then look for another. A good network helps. Remember that once one contract has finished you can start another immediately and that is very attractive to an employer with a pressing problem that needs attention now. You need to present yourself as highly competent and without the risks that are associated with employing someone.

It is a lifestyle choice; I try to work only 4 days a week. That gives me time to do other stuff during work hours and to ride the bike. Life is good

[Oakie]

Then you are due min 1 weeks notice or pay in lue + hol i think (depends on wording)

Only if that's what the employment agreement says. If it doesn't say anything then there is no notice period. Doesn't mean they can't still give a notice period though.

[schrodingers cat]

It is a lifestyle choice

Absolutely.

I don't bother too much about employment law. Jobs are easy to find. I don't want to be there is they don't need/want me. If it wasn't working out I'd walk before I was pushed. If I don't like the way they do things I vote with my feet.

My point was that it is annoying when the feedback/communication isn't a two way thing. I've got a big bag of skills and a low threshold of boredom so temping works for me. I network heavily and like to have ducks lined up in a row.

I give a pretty good effort to folks who employ me and never apoligise for what it costs them. I've owned my own business so I understand that temps can be expensive from an immediate cashflow point of view. I also know that the agencies only make a small margin so the cost of a temp is pretty much the REAL cost of an employee.

I'm over my grumpyness now. The glass is half full again (or too big...)