Socializing even after an end of contract

Anonymous

March 21,2023 at 12:02AM UTC

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Socializing even after an end of contract

I am in a bit of a pickle. My contract with my current company whom I have been with for 2.5 years will end this month. The team lead has planned for a team dinner and was very nice to still include me. While it feels very inclusive, there is a pit on my stomach that makes me feel like "what do I need to be there for" if I am leaving in two weeks. This is the first team dinner for the local team members. While I have worked/partnered with them in many marketing projects, I somehow feel still "excluded/booted out" after my contract got shortened from June to March. Part me of just wants to put on a brave face and show up and not burn bridges but part of me feels awkward to be joining them. How would you recommend to approach this?

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AnonymousMarch 21,2023 at 12:25AM UTC
If you genuinely like these people, and would be open to working with them again in the future, go and enjoy the dinner:)
DustyRoseMarch 21,2023 at 1:42AM UTC
I do think it is very nice you have been invited to the dinner. Assuming the team members know your contract is ending, I would ask if they would be able to give you any connections/suggestions for you. Searching for a job is not fun, so the more you can network, the better.
Becca A.March 21,2023 at 1:06AM UTC
Put on a brave face and show up to the dinner so you dont burn bridges. Having as many references as you can for future roles or simply to fall back on in case of an unexpected future layoff ( hope that doesnt happen to you though. ) will be a much welcomes safety net. Plan for your future self by putting aside how you feel in the moment.
I do want to acknowledge how you shared that part of the reason that you do not want to go is due to your contract being shortened and when I read that part, I reflexively thought if it was shortened due to someone above the management level needing to cut cost and your role was their way to do so. But all we can do is speculate as to what the reason behind it was. What IS certain, is that the employees you have been working alongside for the 2 1/2 years received you positively so much so that they even invited you to dinner which, Im sure, is going to be at a fancy restaurant where everything is over priced but delicious as hell so you better GO ON AND ENJOY THE SCRUMPTIOUS FOOD AND WINE as you network for your future self, haha!
Many blessings to you on your next role that will come your way.
AnonymousMarch 21,2023 at 2:21AM UTC
You earned a seat at the table.
This is a warm celebration it's certainly not a farewell.
I've learned to live with joy everyday. I don't over-think things and analyze things too much. A dinner with colleagues that you've known for over 2 years is a welcomed meal with folks you know.
I would approach this dinner as a wonderful night with a group that invited you out. Enjoy it. It should not be dreaded, and fraught with analysis.
Terrie McWhorterMarch 21,2023 at 2:25PM UTC
Go to the dinner!!! You need to get out of your head...don't internalize. This is an opportunity for you to mingle with colleagues that you have worked along side. Yes you are upset that your contract was shortened, yes it isn't fair, but look at this as a chance to show them that you are the bigger person. Let the ego go. Have a good time and start fresh the next day. Sometimes when a window closes...a door is opened!!! Best of Luck!
Gale Fisher LaRocheMarch 23,2023 at 12:46PM UTC
I would recommend that you attend the dinner. If you are a contract worker, that is part of what comes with the job. I am sure that any decision they made to end the contract is business related. I know it is difficult, I am a consultant who has been on a long term assignment in the past and they hired someone to manage the function I was managing so I had to leave and did so graciously. Guess what - after about a year, the CEO made me a job offer for a different job and I just retired from the organization at the end of last year. So, the morale is - do not burn any bridges! I know it hurts, but you don't know what is right around the corner. You will be fine.
AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 1:47PM UTC
Yes go to the dinner. The fact that you were invited as a contractor is great even if your contract has ended early. I work as a contractor at the moment and the company does not treat contractors like the employees so they would not do anything like this. It’s great to social with people outside of work and stay in contact as they may have roles in future they will consider for you and stay connected with colleagues after you leave. See it as a positive. But on a brave face as you never know what opportunity is around the corner!
Orlagh CostelloMarch 23,2023 at 2:11PM UTC
That sounds to me like the team don't agree with the decision to cut your contract short. I'd attend.
AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 4:15PM UTC
I say accept the invite. I have had several companies where I was on contract reach out to me afterwards to offer another contract or permanent position. You never know where saying yes will take you.
AnonymousMarch 23,2023 at 5:40PM UTC
GO GO GO, definitely go. Be humble they invited you because they want you there. Business reasons may be why they have to cut your contract short. Stay professional, let them know how sad it will be to no longer work with them and ask them all for their endorsement of you for any leads for your next big thing. Also be sure to thank them for any and all help they gave you during your tenure there to be a great advocate for you and your work alongside them. Don't be bitter or upset and emotional, it doesn't serve you at all.
Communication CoachMarch 23,2023 at 6:21PM UTC
Do everything to keep connected and keep contacts in the business world! You never know what will and could come of them. In business contacts are everything! Try to enjoy yourself and go!
Annetta MosesMarch 25,2023 at 3:11AM UTC
Definitely go. Stay in touch with the team. You never know when someone on the team could move to another company and ask you to work there.
it is unfortunate that your contract was shortened. However, one of the reasons why companies hire contractors instead of full time employees is to have flexibility in the size of their workforce. It is easier to give a contractor 30 to 90 days notice to end a contract instead of laying off a full time employee.
i hope you enjoy the dinner.