Contracting - Good & Bad

Overall, the experience with contracting thus far (only cresting past one month now) has been very positive. I continue to marvel at the small amount of stress associated with the job in comparison with accepting a permanent position. It has been incredibly easy to leave work tasks at work at the end of the day and to remove the personal attachment feature on many of the job tasks I’m involved in.

For instance, I deal with a solid string of employee relations issues with one of the divisions I support; everything from disputes with commission payments to harassment and retaliation claims. As crazy as some of them seem or as convoluted as the investigation might get, it likes there’s a built in light at the end of the tunnel. In reality, these aren’t “my” employees and even if they continue to be unhappy, their grip on me ends with the position.

It doesn’t change the effort I give to resolve the issues or positive feeling received when resolution happens, but by mentally placing myself in an outside consultant role, the stress of “owning” the issues is gone. I come, I investigate, I recommend, I leave. It’s all very professional… and very freeing.

I should try to do this for a living from now on. Oh wait, I am trying……………..

The flip side of the coin in accepting a full-time contracting position is that you’re the “catch all”. Special project…….contractor. Audit a spreadsheet……contractor! Something I don’t like……..where’s that contractor?!

Really though, it’s not that bad; mostly amusing. My new tag line is “Here to Help.” If that spreadsheet is important, then let’s get auditing. I’m here to take the stress off those permanent HR folks that will be left in my wake when I move on. Use me while you have me, because I’m not here forever.

Have a great week!
ZW
www.azmobilehr.com