"Don't Temp Me"

There are some temps and contract people in my department and some full time staff members who think that they are better than the rest of us. They spend most of the time chatting on the phone. Their work piles up and then they dump it on to me and others. They do not care what happens. However if a person does their work they take the praise from the boss, while they treat us like #$@!

Feeling Put Upon

Dear Feeling Put Upon,

It sounds like a division has arisen in your workplace between the full-time and the temporary staff. When divisions arise, such as over work load, it often happens that we will band together with others who are in the same position as ourselves. While this provides some emotional support, it can become a barrier to resolving the problem. Because what needs to happen is some conversation with the other parties.

Dealing with this situation requires that you approach the full-time workers directly, or approach your boss directly. It is best to make such an approach with respect to a specific issue, rather than complain based on a general perception about a pattern of behaviour. Thus, if one full-time worker is dumping work on you and you notice that they are talking on the phone on non-work related business, you might find a private moment and tell them how this makes you feel. Be careful to use language that identifies your feelings as your responsibility, not their fault. The best way to do this is to make "I statements." Tell the person, "I feel angry when you hand work to me and I then see you spending time on non-work business."

If this sort of conversation is not possible in your situation, then you need to involve the boss. Again, don't take a confrontational approach, telling the boss, "You have to do something here," or perhaps worse telling tales on other workers. Try to offer a positive way to move forward. Perhaps you could ask that a staff meeting be held to clarify work distribution and issues such as taking company time on personal business in general. You might also suggest that the question of whether the expectations of temporary staff are different from those of full time staff.

Temporary workers often end up feeling like they are at the bottom of the food chain. You have the right, however, to voice your concerns and insist on equitable treatment, or at least to get it clear if the employer's policy is to allow you to be exploited by the full time staff. That clarity will help you in deciding whether to stay on or not.

Thanks for writing,

Dr. John

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