Stabbed in back at work - would you say something?

[Twentyfour7]

Hi

I've been working as a contractor on an agreement that I was needed to work part time for one year(but there was no written contract in place). The department I work in provides a confidential specialised service to the business. On starting there I quickly saw that a lot of the work was not being done in accordance with correct practice and the law.

Initially I was instructed by the manager to work in the same manner she had been doing but as it would leave me and the business liable I quietly got on with doing the work as it should be done. When this was noticed by my manager she made excuses as to why she had not been working in the recognised way but still said I shouldn't do a lot of the work to the recognised professional standard, as she didn't.

I could see that she was lazy and felt she was probably worried I was showing her up. I realised she was concerned if she kept me on gradually people would notice the difference in our work.

Then over the last two weeks I noticed she appeared to be having discussions about me with
colleagues who do not work in our field ,do not know how we should work and who do not have access to all our aspects of work because of confidentially. My manager has now informed me ( after speaking to her boss who works in a different section of the department and who doesn't have a clue about our specialty) she no longer wants to keep me on for the remaining six months, making out the additional help is no longer needed.

I felt my position was untenable but because I needed the money tried to make it work. I realise I should have just left.

I don't feel aggrieved to be leaving but as I strongly suspect she has bad mouthed me to her colleagues and boss I am unhappy about this. They are oblivious to what is really going on and I am upset that she has discredited me

I am wondering whether to say something to her boss. I feel my reputation has been unfairly affected when all I tried to do was provide the standard of service they should be receiving (I was not looking for full time employment/contract with the company)

If I did raise the matter I would be whistleblowing. What would you do in this situation? I leave in two weeks

Thanks for any advice

24/7

[Fermit and Sexy Sarah]

I would say most certainly speak to her manager. People like her as managers can make peoples life a misery, she may well have behaved like this before, and may well again. Her boss may be in the dark, and you owe her nothing. I've done similar before, when forced out out a position by an inept manager. She wasn't there for long after.

[Jasandjules]

I would be blowing the whistle.

[Mr Pointy]

As is often the case in these situations what outcome do you want? Do you need a reference from this company or have you already found work elsewhere? If you need a reference then whistleblowing might be unwise.

If however you are resigned to leaving & you think it unlikley you will return then you may as well advise the upper management of the issues as you perceive them. It sounds as if her actions could have legal implications for the company & if so consider writing a detailed report of why your approach is correct & hers is not. If you can highlight any possible legal issues that might arise for the company & the upper managers this should (if they have any sense) cause them to pay attention, especially if there is documentary evidence of you making them aware of the issue. Since you are leaving in two weeks, drop it on their desk in a week's time.

[Twentyfour7]

Many thanks for your comments.

Mr Pointy, the outcome I would be looking for is just for management to be aware of my side of the story and not to be discredited, which I believe I have been.

I work as an independent contractor in a specialized "small world". I don't feel I need a reference from them, I would be very hesitant for asking for one now anyway. I just don't want to leave with the bad feeling that she has (probably) said negative things about me and her boss has agreed to asking me to leave when he hasn't even spoken to me.

My concern about raising the matter is that it will look like "sour grapes" and she could continue to make unfair negative comments amongst my contacts/peers

[Twentyfour7]

Re whistleblowing.... unfortunately been there before, and it was awful.

If I was to say something, I thought I might generalise it and say something like "don't let the wool be pulled over your eyes" or " you might want to arrange an external audit"

I'm "officially" leaving in two weeks but may go after one week if I decide to go on a course I have decided to do.

[Lemming Train]

Twentyfour7 said:

I work as an independent contractor in a specialized "small world".

I would advise caution and to tread very carefully. If your sector is as small as you make out then there's the distinct possibility that you may cross paths again in the future. There's nothing wrong with putting a factual account of what's been going on to the management but be aware of potential consequences further down the road.

[Lemming Train]

Twentyfour7 said:

If I was to say something, I thought I might generalise it and say something like "don't let the wool be pulled over your eyes" or " you might want to arrange an external audit"

That is most certainly not the way to do it. All that would achieve is making you appear bitter and twisted that your contract is not being renewed.

[Twentyfour7]

Thanks Lemming Train, I agree with your reasoning, don't want to look bitter and twisted.

Contract is not being renewed, just cut short! because by doing a standard job, she (my manager ) is worried I will show her up and then she will actually have to work to the same standard when I leave at the end of the contract.

[Mr Pointy]

Twentyfour7 said:

If I was to say something, I thought I might generalise it and say something like "don't let the wool be pulled over your eyes" or " you might want to arrange an external audit"

As has already been said that's the worst thing you can do. Either be professional & highlight the issues to the upper managers in a clear manner (you can focus on the legalities) or say nothing. It doesn't stop you adding in a line about being sorry that the contract has been terminated early to flag it's not your choice but don't just spout some passive-agressive tripe or you'll convince the managers she was right to get rid of you. Stick to the facts.

[ReverendCounter]

If this person is 'defaming' you (my quotes and for want of a better expression) to the point that others in this closely knit field may believe her words, could you bring some sort of civil claim against her for damages to your professional reputation? Perhaps you could secure an injunction preventing her from mouthing off or similar? Maybe you have some legal insurance that would pay for the injunction costs which would perhaps be recovered from her.

I am not a consultant, never mind a lawyer - but I hope she gets what she deserves. Good luck.

[Du1point8]

Not to be rude...

You are the contractor, the tool to get things done, if you are showing up the managers, etc due to their sloppy work practices, then I wouldnt be surprised that you get canned, but in the same breath, good on you for not dropping to their level.

If the industry is not too small I would bring it to the attention of someone that understands the business to point out the flaws and the fact that the company could be held accountable and leave it at that, be professional and walk away.

As a contractor you knew what you were signing up for and job security is not one of them, but you do gain the increased pay (I assume) that compensates for it.

[silverous]

Unless you know them well I'm not sure there's any guarantee that you giving an un-requested exit interview will undo what you think she may have told them, and is it not double edged in that they may take exception to it, she may not have had any negative discussions with them about you (unless you know for certain that she has, which I think was your suggestion), and you could make it worse? Sometimes you are going to work with people that don't rate you, for the wrong reasons, its part of life and my advice would be to move on rather than risk making it worse particularly if you don't need their good will to get work in the future. Whistleblowing as a contractor just sounds like a world of pain that you don't need. I appreciate this isn't the popular view on here but thought I would give it anyway.

[Lemming Train]

Mr Pointy said:

but don't just spout some passive-agressive tripe or you'll convince the managers she was right to get rid of you. Stick to the facts.

Yup.

As a contractor you often don't have the luxury of knowing the office politics of who is 'in' with who either. The fact that she's readily gone bleating to the department manager and other office staff suggests that she's on good personal terms with them and has some 'clout'. Even if your statement is 100% factual there's a high likelihood it will still get filed in the round basket even if you sent it to someone higher up the ladder. To them you're just an outsider contractor on £500 per day and won't care for your opinions.

[kowalski655]

If she is not working within the law, and if consequences fall. Back on the company later,then I'm sure she will not hesitate to chuck all the blame on you,and if she then started bad mouthing you because of that, would that be worse for your reputation?
I'm in the camp of an email to senior management, saying you are sad not to see the contract through, especially as there are so many errors being made(maybe not so bluntly though)
At least you then have a paper trail to avoid repercussions

[A205GTI]

Log everything send to senior management and get an employment lawyer to send a letter before action stating should you here of any slanderous comments from this person you will not only be going after them but also there employers as you will hold them both liable.

[Sir Bagalot]

Blow the whistle, but it might not matter.

I used to work somewhere and we had some major major government contracts. On my first day I had to sign the official secrets act.

On my second day the firm put me in a position where they were breaking so many of the their own policies and procedures it was a joke.

Three of my team were openingly breaking strict policies. I reported to my manager. No action.

I reported to HR. I was told that was the way it is.

My professional integrity didn't allow me to continue working there and I escaped soon after.