Where should the line be drawn?

[n5iln]

Those of you who have been following along for a while know that I'm a temporary-agency employee who's currently assigned to an international retailer. Specifically, I work in International Trade Compliance. My primary job is to prepare certain documentation as part of any transaction which involves exporting goods. I also help maintain databases

Comments

[shannon_elaine]

I would take it up with a rep from the temp service. They can go to bat for you to make more money now that you're doing a higher level job.

[raherrier]

I've mentioned that to him; and that's where it gets really sticky. He's essentially worked for this company for over a year now, with a few "breaks" in between. He impressed them the first time, and then they requested him by name for the last two assignments. So we know that they like him, and there's been a few mentions of "long term temporary" work as a direct employee and not contracted. So if he "rats" them out to the agency, does he end up shooting himself in the foot?

On the other hand, the agency should know that their client is taking advantage of one of their employees and address it - which could result in an abrupt end to this assignment and a wait of who-knows-how-long until another one comes along.

[days_unfolding]

Ouch. I was also going to say that given this is contract work, you can renegotiate the contract if you're given additional duties, but I can see how that can backfire.

Is there a way that he can use the additional duties to get an IT job someplace else, possibly with a good reference from the people with whom he's currently working? Kind of treat this as an internship of sorts?

[days_unfolding]

Another thought: could he find a job as a tech writer somewhere? People with both tech skills and writing skills are hard to come by.

[symian]

It has been my experience that companies will use you as much as they can and as much as they can get away with without raising your pay or actually employing you. They WILL take advantage - especially when you are a temporary employee. It's up to you to go to your immediate boss on the job site and say "This is outside of the scope of my employment contract. I can't take on this task. If you want me to do it you'll have to contact my employer and renegotiate terms."

You of course could be let go or replaced. That's the risk you have to take, or not. In the end you work for the agency, not the company.

[n5iln]

The question's been rendered moot...my assignment is ending on Tuesday.

[symian]

OK. Well, you know what to do in the future then. :)