Well I’ve just had a call from my boss, the work planned for the coming weekend has been cancelled. This was done due to the perceived risk, as there were other similar businesses having significant difficulties on the near continent.
So the situation at the moment is that there is a delay, the current contingency date is the end of May – but it could be pushed out to July or October as they are the next available dates.
It would also seem that not only are we considering when it should be done, but this delay is being used as an opportunity to consider how the job should be done. I personally find this to be quite an interesting development, as there are other factors that could come into play here.
Firstly there are a number of people who are likely to leave immediately after this cancelled event, they will have to be replaced before this job moves forward. There will be inevitable delays sourcing these people, they will come aboard without sufficient background knowledge – they will be unable to make a meaningful contribution for some time.
Secondly if at this late date people are questioning the methodology, then in all fairness someone should determine whether the original proposal was correct. Deciding to change the methodology now is like actually being in the departure lounge at the airport, when in reality you want to drive to the docks and go on a cruise.
Finally it will be interesting to see what course of action that they suggest for myself and the other contract personnel. Many of us have had extensions through, mine runs to the end of April with one weeks notice to be given on either side.
The phone call that I had tonight was quite straight forward, however underneath there was almost the suggestion that I should be paid off and just sit around and wait for someone to make a decision – as to what will happen.
The cost of the original job should be revisited and the contract should be renegotiated, taking both the changes and the mistakes into account – but that isn’t likely to happen. As usual when it comes to seeing a customer ripped off I have trouble keeping my mouth shut, I’ll manage but I don’t have to be happy about it.