How do I handle consulting gig gone bad?

[Anonymous]

Here is the background:

- I do accounting consulting through one of the big nationwide search firms
- W2 employee who gets sent on 3-6 month assignments with a little down time in between
- I have a specialized financial reporting skill

Was sent on an assignment where I reported to two people. They told me on Tuesday that my responsiblities would change to something for which I have absolutely no background, nor interest. In other words, a poor fit that is the kind of work that a recent college grad would do. When I said that I was brought in to do "ABC", they said in no way is this change a reflection of what they perceive my abilities to be, but that they need help in another area, which is mainly processing.

The conversation could have turned very ugly very fast but I kept my mouth shut because I figured why bother. Here is my dilemma:

- do I tell the recruiting firm what happened and ask to be put on another project? My concern is that they can perceive my request as resigning and I will not get unemployment.
- do I tell the client this is a bad fit and ask to be terminated, which means I probably could get unemployment?

What I really want is to just get out of there without burning any bridges. The recruiting firm has been good to be and I do not want to tick them off or miss out on ever working for them again. Also, I probably could get other consulting withing a few weeks because companies need year end help so any forfeited unemployment would be about $3-4,000. Significant to me but not a killer.

Thanks for any suggestions. I have lost sleep on this one because the commute is awful and walked in the other day with my eyelid fluttering from nerves.

[Anonymous]

Is the pay scale the same regardless of the work being more entry level? What is the pay scale. I ask this because, if the $$ is the same and it is good pay, in this market, I would stick it out. I also do consulting and sometimes the work feels like college intern type work--but I get to travel to far flung locations and hey, it's work!

[Anonymous]

Call your recruiter and explain the situation to them, mentioning that you are not quitting. Then send another email reiterating the conversation, putting in writing your "not quitting" sentiment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call your recruiter and explain the situation to them, mentioning that you are not quitting. Then send another email reiterating the conversation, putting in writing your "not quitting" sentiment.

So I would say that I want to be put on another project but am "not quitting"? To the other commenter, it is for the same pay but I do not travel, only sit on a cubicle like a clerk. The other thing is, there is no "hard" end date. The client could stretch this out forever.