Anonymous wrote:DH and I have been contractors for years. No one ever thinks less of you for jumping ship! I have two stints that were only 6 months. When asked why so short I say it was a short term contract with really bad team dynamics. Every contract is really different. Team dynamics vary so much depending on the PM.

Exactly!

DH and I have been contractors for years. No one ever thinks less of you for jumping ship! I have two stints that were only 6 months. When asked why so short I say it was a short term contract with really bad team dynamics. Every contract is really different. Team dynamics vary so much depending on the PM.

Anonymous wrote:Congrats on your escape from a hellhole!

+1. just smile and nod at the jackass. You have won

You are not being "shamed" if he said that to you in a one on one conversation. That is not what shaming means. He just hurt your feelings.

Congrats on your escape from a hellhole!

Anonymous wrote:Give me a break. This f-ing guy wants you to work as a contractor (where you have no security, as soon as the account dries up you're on the curb), and still demand that you remain "loyal" by remaining there indefinitely, even in poor work conditions? You don't owe them anything.

Honestly, this director seems like a total dingus and you're better off cutting ties.

good luck

+1 THIS!

They didn't handle the situation well - you found a better opportunity - the end.

You will be branded a "job hopper" if you hop away from multiple jobs in a row. Stay with the new job and there's no problem.

"If you're trying to shame me into staying, that can only mean I am making the right decision."

Thanks all. I'm still hurt over this but I do appreciate the sanity check.

I also think that if he was interested in getting me to stay with the company, he would have thanked me for my time and told me I was valued instead of insulting me. It's like when you breakup with someone who then proclaims you are ugly and fat and no one else would want you.

I totally agree with the previous posters that you don't owe the regional director at all.

However, I'd just like to add that rather than getting defensive or hurt, it might be more productive to use this as a negotiation opportunity. This guy values your work, and seems to be in need of it -- would you stay if he doubled the rate? I get that the working conditions are not ideal, but crisis also means opportunity. I would have used the opportunity to try to leverage a better deal.

"John, I appreciate your position but a better opportunity has come up for me. If you are willing to increase my rate to [2x your original rate], I would be happy to stay on the project."

Yeah that guy is desperate. Don't pay him any attention.

Completely agree with the PPs. That director is an asshat, do what's best for you and your family! You are not in a personal relationship with this dingleberry, it's a business arrangement, one that isn't working for you.

Give me a break. This f-ing guy wants you to work as a contractor (where you have no security, as soon as the account dries up you're on the curb), and still demand that you remain "loyal" by remaining there indefinitely, even in poor work conditions? You don't owe them anything.

Honestly, this director seems like a total dingus and you're better off cutting ties.

good luck

dont feel bad. he's a hater and that is all.

Only desperate bosses go into name-calling mode. Really the best response for you would have been an "I'm sorry you feel that way" kind of phrasing. Also would consider reaching out to your former colleagues as any reference from this place you'd likely want to come from them.

I put in my 2 weeks yesterday after being a contractor on the same miserable account for a year. Over the last 3 months my entire team of 4 has quit or been fired and I've been working alone with triple the workload. I finally had enough and found a great 30 hr per week job with a shorter commute. Today the regional director called me and at first asked if I'd be interested in staying on another account, then shamed me for "jumping around too much" saying I've been branded as a job hopper. For some reason this really hurt my feelings as I'm making this change for myself and my family. Plus he put me in this hostile situation knowing how awful the client is and now is judging me for wanting to leave?! Totally doubting myself now.