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Contractors' agencies in a spin about T&S expenses

Law firm says recruiters' queries persist in the 'dangerous' world of SDC.

HMRC unveils IR35 consultation on public PSCs

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HMRC customer service has collapsed - report

Spending watchdog mauls the taxman for saving just £1 for every £4 taxpayers have lost.

Fraudsters posing as HMRC hijack iTunes

One taxpayer who lost £15,000 is among the 'hundreds' of scammed Revenue customers.

Contractors' Questions: How to withdraw my limited company's funds?

Permie who went contracting while on leave seeks the cheapest way to extract £4k.

Contractors, no need to be in a spin about expenses

Claims being made about claims are unnecessarily clouding convoluted T&S rules.

Contractors' Questions: How to withdraw my limited company's funds?

Permie who went contracting while on leave seeks the cheapest way to extract £4k.

Apprenticeship levy 'will be unfair to contractors'

A reasonable chancellor will ensure contractors aren't discriminated against, hopes REC.

Call to tweak Lifetime ISA for one-man bands

New ISA needs revising if it's really going to help people who work for themselves -- IPSE.

Contractors' Questions: What if agent represents me but won't submit CV?

Expert helps an IT contractor potentially told porkies by his agency.

Contractors' Questions: What if agent represents me but won't submit CV?

Expert helps an IT contractor potentially told porkies by his agency.

IT contractors won't defy Cameron on Europe

Lack of PM's support for us isn't cause to snub him on June 23, say IT contractors.

Tiny IT firms locked out of state 'SME' contracts

One-man bands still have 'little or no chance' of an IT contract with Whitehall.  

Tax rule change triggers surge in liquidations

Ban on Entrepreneurs' Relief results in a record number of 'Ltds' winding up.

HSBC's outgoing techies told to train offshore replacements

Before their job goes abroad, many of the bank's IT staff must upskill whoever takes it.

Contractors' Questions: How might Brexit affect me as a contractor?

What contracting in Europe could entail if the UK votes 'leave' on June 23rd.

How a Brexit could change EU contracting

Uncertainty looms in the short-term, whether you see new doors -- or barriers.

IT contractor guide to data breach and cyber security insurance

What risks you face; why to prepare and how to cover you, your 'Ltd' and your reputation.

Ofcom hatches faster Wi-Fi plan

Extra sub-band and airwaves floated to give apps (and users) the fillip they need.  

Delay digital accounts by a year, taxman told

'Putting back five HMRC consultations is no good if the system isn't put back too.'

Contractors have the edge on fintech projects

Pay and prospects brighter for fintech's freelancers than its permies.

'Resilient' contractors less upbeat on economy

Hardiness of one-man bands to be tested, if their fiscal fears come true.

Contractors' Questions: Any status risk to using paid-for travel tickets?

Reassurance for a contractor fearing 'part and parcel' due to receiving employee perks.

Where NHS IT contractors are in demand

The NPfIT's prolonged recovery is healthy for IT contractors, even those without experience.

Contractors' Questions: What to do if a rate cut looms?

How contractors can take action when waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse cut IT contractor pay rates

London's banks ask IT contractors to share the pain of a difficult first quarter.

IT contractors' index score at three-year low

Growth in demand for temporary techies gets its smallest figure since April 2013.

Contractors' Questions: Do umbrella companies take on Tier 2 migrants?

Lawyer spells out the only contractor arrangement that immigration rules permit.

HMRC hands contractors IR35 scenarios on 'SDC'

Jeanette, Dean and Asif are the latest taxpayers the Revenue hopes you relate to.

IT nous links 'most resorted to' contract hires

Technology at the heart of jobs which hirers give up trying to fill full-time.

How to Avoid Office Conflict

Have you ever had to manage conflict at a job? When I was eighteen and fresh out of high school, I was offered my first job in which interacting with coworkers was a requirement.

I didn’t have much of anything to compare the experience to, but I sensed early on that there was some serious conflict brewing between the ladies I worked with. There was constant talking behind each other’s backs and harsh criticism was commonplace. Those who weren’t passive aggressive were just downright nasty.

But being the youngest in the bunch, I didn’t think it was my place to speak up and I feared that certain individuals would turn on me if I simply excused myself from the conflict.

The group dynamic became increasingly uncomfortable, and eventually I left the job in the hopes that a more peaceful work environment existed elsewhere.

Now a few years in to my working life, I am far better equipped to express my thoughts and opinions. But even more importantly, I know how to avoid workplace conflict from the outset so these uncomfortable situations don’t sprout into something more serious.

Here are a few tips to help you stop the office drama before it begins.

Tip #1 – Set your intention early on

When starting a new job it can be easy to get swept up in the office politics simply because it’s a way to feel connected to your new coworkers. But these interactions might be the very reason why your job becomes unbearable later on, so it’s best to avoid them from day one.

Set your intention to steer any negative exchanges onto a more positive path and limit your coworker relationships to those who are also interested in creating a harmonious work environment.

Like attracts like, so be the person you would want to interact with.

Tip #2 – Don’t entertain certain conversations

People like a sympathetic listener, especially when it comes to sharing grievances about someone else.

Let it be known early on that you aren’t someone who will revel in negativity and trash talking simply for the sake of letting someone else feel better. Not only is that detrimental to your wellbeing, but it allows the other person to continue festering in what’s bothering them.

There’s no need to be rude, just become an expert at changing the subject or making jokes (when appropriate). Once they realize you won’t be giving them what they’re searching for, they will find someone else to fill the sympathizer role. That’s a guarantee.

Tip #3 – Make your own judgements

Once a group reaches a consensus about someone, it is often passed through the ranks, eventually trickling down to those who weren’t even around when the first judgements were made.

Instead of going along with the things people tell you about someone and interacting with them a certain way as a result, try to come to your own conclusions. If you remain open, you may be able to see a side of that person that others weren’t able to.

Tip #4 – Help facilitate positive interactions

Avoiding office conflict doesn’t have to mean excluding yourself from social interaction. If your coworkers seem to be constantly battling each other, think of a way to turn the tide.

Everyone wants to feel like they are seen, heard and appreciated. Ask your coworkers about things outside of work that you know they enjoy. Let them know you are paying attention to who they are and what’s important to them.

Once you do that, that person is more likely to pay it forward to the next person they come across. It’s a small seed, but it can grow into something much more substantial.

Tip #5 – Cut out the complaining

While you may not be physically participating in the conflict, you might be adding to your negative perception of it if you spend a great deal of time talking about it on your time off.

When I would share my frustration and anger over the situation I was witnessing with my coworkers, I noticed that I became more and more upset. Talking about it over and over again increased the emotional charge that the conflict carried for me, which in turn, helped in attracting more of it into my experience.

Your time outside of work is precious — don’t spend it talking about the conflict you don’t wish to be apart of.

Tip #6 – Meet all disagreements head on

The few times when I’ve worked in an environment where the majority of my coworkers handled conflict in a very passive aggressive fashion, I tended to follow suit. It’s what a lot of us do — we go with the flow.

When disagreements arise, try to find the source and attack the problem head on. Don’t spend time sharing what is irking you with others, that is what can get you into trouble. Find the source of your upset and calmly address the problem.

Even our friends that mean well can magnify conflict by validating the feeling we have that we were wronged. Once we receive that validation, it can be hard to believe that the other person may not have had any ill intent.

What steps have you taken to avoid inner office conflict?

Photo by David Castillo Dominici.

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