Monday 7 July 2008

Succeed as a contract labourer - PART 9

(Return to – PART 1, PART 2, PART 3, PART 4, PART 5, PART 6, PART 7, PART 8)

Be careful when pursuing disputes with either your employer or Labour Hire Company. Pay issues are the most common dispute you’ll come across. Be polite no matter how annoyed you feel. Accept the fact that the 9 to 5er’s in the office couldn’t give a rat’s arse if you’re waiting on that money to pay bills and buy medicine for your kids. Some of them can make life hard if you get up them. Remember that jealousy thing I mentioned previously? When you’re making big dollars and the guy processing your pay sheet isn’t, there’s every chance he’ll be unsympathetic when you abuse him.

Be reasonable, courteous and firm. Follow up your dispute. Ring every single day unless you’re told a specific date that something is supposed to happen. Ring as early as possible on that date, especially on a Friday.

From the start of a dispute write down who you talked to, the date and time, and the result of your call. While tedious and annoying these records can be very helpful when a dispute stretches out. Outside help may be required if you hit a brick wall. Your Labour Hire Employer is required by law to give you the option of calling in a third party. Asking for one of those numbers will, 90% of the time, result in the Manager’s immediate involvement and a swift resolution of your problem.

I’m very obvious about recording names and repeating things like “so you’ll find out today and get back to me?” When they don't, (a common problem), ring back the next day. Try to speak to the same person. If you get someone else, run through the names of people you’ve already dealt with and the dates and steps you’ve already taken to work out your problem. They’ll get the message that you are holding these people accountable and, depending on the dispute, might prefer their name wasn’t added to your list as someone who wouldn’t help.

Happy contracting.

END

(See - Dancing with a heathen tribe)

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