This is a scam alert but the tragedy of this scam is that everybody trying to do the right thing is being taken advantage of.
This scam explains how so many trade contractors who are aware of the grim reputation of a builder wind up working for the Grim Reputation on not one but several projects.
This tragic tale starts off with a recruitment process where the Grim Reputation looks for staff through the employment agencies on the basis they are looking to build up a cadre of staff who will clean up the grim reputation or open an office somewhere that will be run contrary to the grim reputation.
This is of course attractive to site foremen, contract administrators and project managers who have a following of loyal trade contractors who want make a difference in the grand scheme of things. This is our Wandering Good Guy (irrespective of gender).
The consequence is that the Wandering Good Guy starts working for the Grim Reputation and brings into the project a loyal following of trade contractors who are confident it is safe to work for the Grim Reputation because they are dealing with the Wandering Good Guy.
The reality is that if the Grim Reputation really wanted to clean up its reputation and method of operation, all it has to do is control its existing staff and clean up its contractual position.
Our Wandering Good Guy starts to work this out in that he is answering to the old guard who have not changed their attitude and he is placed under increasing pressure to maximise the financial return from trade contractors.
Eventually the Wandering Good Guys leave and seek more rewarding employment in line with their moral compasses and views on good project management.
However, that is a problem for the trade contractors who followed the Wandering Good Guy’s dream.
By the time the Wandering Good Guy leaves, the trade contractors have done the first project and it was OK so they are part way through the second project and have just signed up for the third.
They now fall into the domain of the long standing operatives of the Grim Reputation who do not have any loyal following of trade contractors because it is not necessary the steady stream of Wandering Good Guys keep on providing a never ending stream of project fodder.
These operatives are often highly regarded by the Grim Reputation and are never given any incentive to move on.
The consequences for the trade contractors are not good.
They are now exposed to operatives who do not care if the trade contractor goes under and are seeking to collect their bonuses no matter what the consequences are for others.
The question is how to you deal with a Wandering Good Guy with whom you have a good relationship when you are approached to work for a Grim Reputation.
The first option is to politely have a conversation with the Wandering Good Guy, refer them to this article and do not work for the Grim Reputation.
The second option is to decide how far you are going ride it, do some work and get out early before things turn messy. You should protect yourself by administering the contract because you do not know exactly when things will get messy and by the time things get messy it is too late if you have not administered your contract properly.
The third option is to ride it to the bitter end and be prepared to slug it out with a Grim Reputation operative on the last project having protected yourself fully with contract administration.
The message here is that a trade contractor should be wary of working for a Grim Reputation under any circumstances and if you do not look to administering your contracts you will suddenly be exposed when the Wandering Good Guy is forced to move on by fair means or foul.
Just remember that at the start and all the way through they were trying to do the right thing but Grim Reputations will overwhelm any good intention.