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Started By
Message
This is why I hate working in IT
Posted on 7/26/14 at 7:50 pm
Posted on 7/26/14 at 7:50 pm
I normally do not vent this stuff online as I find it unprofessional but it's been weighing on my mind.
So I consult at fortune 100 and 500's in Corporate IT on projects from time to time at just to replenish personal funds...
I'd like to share an experience I just had recently.
I've been consulting for a company here in Dallas doing a "special project" that has been dreamed up by one of the directors.
I've been working on this project for around 3 months so far making good progress.
The situation is this.
A. The operations teams I am supposed to deliver this project too doesn't want it. I was brought in because they tried and failed to deliver on this same project.
B. The Senior Architect doesn't see the value in what I'm doing and
C. The Operations Senior Manager just doesn't want something brought in that disrupts his workflows.
All understandable but at the end of the day I have to deliver something by a end date in order to continue expanding the project (ie renew my contract).
So when I started on the project I tried setting meetings and no one wanted to attend. I eventually started sending weekly project updates so that everyone was aware what I and the small team of developers assigned to me were working on and how the project was are progressing.
When folks would atten a meeting, the Operations Senior Manager would always ask every few minutes if the meeting was over. Making loud huffing noises. At one point, he found out I was going to present what I was doing in one of this meetings (I was invited by Director (his boss) to attend). He said "Who the frick invited you....I hate when people just change my meetings" and he proceeded to punch a hole in my cube wall.
As to the Senior Architect, when I have tried to locate the Senior Architect to discuss the project and what I'm working on, either he is not in his office or he doesn't attend the meetings I set with him.
The operations guy who I am assigned is out right trying to sabotage the project because he was the one that tried and failed to deliver when I am.
Enough of the background so here is why I hate IT. It's a childish political game.
So I finally I was finally able to get 5 minutes with the Senior architect to ask him about tolerance for large amounts of custom code we would need to apply to a stock product. He did not seem interested in what I had to say and his body language was one of disgust.
I finally asked him if he had a personal problem with me.(now remember I hardly have interaction with him because he is never around). He says the following "Well you are not a team player, you do not communicate, and I just don't seeing you as a long term fit.".
I was taken aback so I stood up for myself by recapping what I just mentioned the background above to him. Oh how he quickly changed his tune. He started back peddling quickly saying "I'm sorry if I offended you. I believe you have skills beyond what you are doing now and would love to get you focused on other things".
So I've decided to not extend this contract at the end of my contract term. I also think this will be my last IT contract for a while. Too much childish behavior.
So I consult at fortune 100 and 500's in Corporate IT on projects from time to time at just to replenish personal funds...
I'd like to share an experience I just had recently.
I've been consulting for a company here in Dallas doing a "special project" that has been dreamed up by one of the directors.
I've been working on this project for around 3 months so far making good progress.
The situation is this.
A. The operations teams I am supposed to deliver this project too doesn't want it. I was brought in because they tried and failed to deliver on this same project.
B. The Senior Architect doesn't see the value in what I'm doing and
C. The Operations Senior Manager just doesn't want something brought in that disrupts his workflows.
All understandable but at the end of the day I have to deliver something by a end date in order to continue expanding the project (ie renew my contract).
So when I started on the project I tried setting meetings and no one wanted to attend. I eventually started sending weekly project updates so that everyone was aware what I and the small team of developers assigned to me were working on and how the project was are progressing.
When folks would atten a meeting, the Operations Senior Manager would always ask every few minutes if the meeting was over. Making loud huffing noises. At one point, he found out I was going to present what I was doing in one of this meetings (I was invited by Director (his boss) to attend). He said "Who the frick invited you....I hate when people just change my meetings" and he proceeded to punch a hole in my cube wall.
As to the Senior Architect, when I have tried to locate the Senior Architect to discuss the project and what I'm working on, either he is not in his office or he doesn't attend the meetings I set with him.
The operations guy who I am assigned is out right trying to sabotage the project because he was the one that tried and failed to deliver when I am.
Enough of the background so here is why I hate IT. It's a childish political game.
So I finally I was finally able to get 5 minutes with the Senior architect to ask him about tolerance for large amounts of custom code we would need to apply to a stock product. He did not seem interested in what I had to say and his body language was one of disgust.
I finally asked him if he had a personal problem with me.(now remember I hardly have interaction with him because he is never around). He says the following "Well you are not a team player, you do not communicate, and I just don't seeing you as a long term fit.".
I was taken aback so I stood up for myself by recapping what I just mentioned the background above to him. Oh how he quickly changed his tune. He started back peddling quickly saying "I'm sorry if I offended you. I believe you have skills beyond what you are doing now and would love to get you focused on other things".
So I've decided to not extend this contract at the end of my contract term. I also think this will be my last IT contract for a while. Too much childish behavior.
This post was edited on 7/26/14 at 8:05 pm
Posted on 7/26/14 at 7:57 pm to lsufanintexas
quote:
When folks would atten a meeting, the Operations Senior Manager would always ask every few minutes if the meeting was over. Making loud huffing noises. At one point, he found out I was going to present what I was doing in one of this meetings (I was invited by Director (his boss) to attend). He said "Who the frick invited you....I hate when people just change my meetings" and he proceeded to punch a hole in my cube wall.
quote:
So I finally I was finally able to get 5 minutes with the Senior architect to ask him about tolerance for large amounts of custom code we would need to apply to a stock product. He did not seem interested in what I had to say and his body language was one of disgust.
I work in IT and have never seen this behavior from adults. Does the person who funded your project know about this behavior?
Posted on 7/26/14 at 8:01 pm to kywildcatfanone
I have brought it up to my the client manager but nothing has been done. I don't think she wants to make noise since I'm still delivering on the project.
I have also spoken to the contracting company I am working for and they basically said to keep quiet and to not rock the boat.
From what I gather, the Director, Senior Manager, my manager, and the Senior Architect have worked together for years so a protective clique so to speak.
What is funny is that I looked up employee reviews on glassdoor and most of them noted how it was at this particular company. I thought it was disgruntled employees since the company just went through a major reorg and laid a bunch of people off. But now I see the statements on glassdoor were true and with merit.
I have also spoken to the contracting company I am working for and they basically said to keep quiet and to not rock the boat.
From what I gather, the Director, Senior Manager, my manager, and the Senior Architect have worked together for years so a protective clique so to speak.
What is funny is that I looked up employee reviews on glassdoor and most of them noted how it was at this particular company. I thought it was disgruntled employees since the company just went through a major reorg and laid a bunch of people off. But now I see the statements on glassdoor were true and with merit.
This post was edited on 7/26/14 at 8:04 pm
Posted on 7/26/14 at 8:46 pm to lsufanintexas
Seems rather time consuming for what you're making out to be a side project?
Posted on 7/26/14 at 9:00 pm to southernelite
Yes its time consuming and not worth the hassle. This is why I got out of IT as an employee and became a hired gun. I make more money and can just leave shitty clients.
Posted on 7/26/14 at 9:05 pm to lsufanintexas
quote:
I make more money and can just leave shitty clients.
Sounds like you found another one to walk away from.
Posted on 7/26/14 at 10:12 pm to lsufanintexas
Any chance your are working with some sort of govermental agency? To fund a project that people can basically turn their back on.......sounds like governmental efficiencies.
Posted on 7/26/14 at 10:16 pm to lsufanintexas
quote:
"Well you are not a team player, you do not communicate, and I just don't seeing you as a long term fit.".
That's a completely accurate statement. You aren't working for him, you're working for whoever manages your contract. Their political battles affect you, but they are not your battles.
Posted on 7/26/14 at 11:17 pm to foshizzle
Agreed and is why I treat all contracts as hired gun work. Doesn't matter to me if they extend or not...as long as I do what they ask me to do, CYA by documenting, and make sure I get paid what I'm owed, I don't care about the infighting in corps.
But at the same time, it's silly stuff like that which turned me off of being an IT employee full-time.
But at the same time, it's silly stuff like that which turned me off of being an IT employee full-time.
Posted on 7/27/14 at 8:15 pm to lsufanintexas
This sort of crap isn't limited to IT if that makes you feel any better.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 3:07 pm to gthog61
quote:
This sort of crap isn't limited to IT if that makes you feel any better.
yeah, i see shite like this all the time. my wife is encountering the same thing at a non profit.
she has to CC the executive director for them to respond to emails.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 3:38 pm to Hawkeye95
Sorry--anyone who punched a hole in a cube wall needs to have a chat with HR, stat. Completely unacceptable regardless of his role or yours.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 3:44 pm to lsufanintexas
Sorry to hear about this kind of behavior you have to deal with.
I work in IT myself, but just inside sales so I don't see this first hand. However, I can imagine somewhat similar things happening behind the scenes with my government customers.
I work in IT myself, but just inside sales so I don't see this first hand. However, I can imagine somewhat similar things happening behind the scenes with my government customers.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 3:51 pm to hungryone
quote:
Sorry--anyone who punched a hole in a cube wall needs to have a chat with HR, stat. Completely unacceptable regardless of his role or yours.
Exactly. This isn't acceptable behavior for an adult.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 3:55 pm to lsufanintexas
I hear ya man.
The worst is being a consultant, trying to work with other consultants, who are also engaged at a large client site.
I've seen a lot of "adults" do some pretty pedantic things.
The worst is being a consultant, trying to work with other consultants, who are also engaged at a large client site.
I've seen a lot of "adults" do some pretty pedantic things.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 4:03 pm to lsufanintexas
I would feel bad for you, if I didn't know how much IS/IT consultants make (in healthcare IS/IT at least).
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