A coworker casually asked if i work directly for the company or if I am a contractor. This was after I told them I am not involved with something they wanted me to look into that a similar department handles. That department doesnt even have the same management and follow up on requests is not my responsibility. People where-ever I have worked always take an interest into "getting in" to my line of work because it pays well and does not require a specialized degree. If its not them who wants the spot, there is always a cousin "who is a natural and just needs the chance..." I am the only one for the tristate area at this company. Am I just paraniod finding it odd that someone wants to know that much about my employment status?

8 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 5:50PM UTC

   There are ALWAYS nosey coworkers who are looking for angles either to lighten their load, get ahead and/or dictate who does what and how.

   She is trying to figure out her flex. I always turn things back on them and add details to confuse them. She needs to figure out things without any info from you.

2. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 6:51PM UTC

   In my paralegal course they made it a point to teach us to not take on work requested by another manager other than one from your team without clearing it with yours first

3. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanAugust 15,2024 at 6:54PM UTC

   I keep the question (asked nicely) "Why do you want to know?" handy. Or "Why is it important to you?"

   If said in a non-aggressivve voice, people are often taken aback and it gives them a moment to realize how inappropriate the question might be, without feeling as though they are being shamed.

4. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 7:37PM UTC

   I'd love to see folks not assume bad intentions as often as is reasonable! I don't know what you do or how lucrative it is, but isn't it possible this person just wants to know more about you or get an understanding of why you're not the best person to ask for help?

5. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 8:18PM UTC

   It's an odd and quite intrusive question that begs the followup, "what difference does my employment status make?"

   I too immediately go to the fact that if it mattered in the scheme of things, this person would already know.

   When it feels strange, there is usually a good chance there's another agenda this person has for asking.

6. AnonymousAugust 19,2024 at 12:56PM UTC

   Maybe! But also, maybe not. :)

7. AnonymousAugust 16,2024 at 6:23PM UTC

   Part of my education is in social work. One of the main things I took away from the patient practice of asking questions is not to use the word "why" in the beginning of a question. It immediately can put someone on the defense. I took this and used it in my recruiting career and still use it today. It works wonders. You always soften the question with what I call a curiosity statement and use something like this "hmm... I wonder why you need to know, or hmm... not sure how to answer that, but do you have any questions I can answer that can guide you how I got into contracting?" If you begin with Why do you want to know, the inquirer will get defensive and then the whole conversation could get interrupted by too sharp of a dialogue. Instead say, you know this works great for me and I'm happy to do it. I'm not sure how you got into contracting but if you have a connection for them, or just want to offer a suggestion, certainly do that. I was also a contractor but it was normal where I worked. Were people defensive towards me, sure. But I wasn't the sole contractor. Though I may be a contractor, I would say, I'm excited to be part of your team. I hope this helps but I also get questions, how did you do that, or how did you get the raise, how did you... my answers were maybe talk with your manager and see how they can help you. We have to be stewards of our own journeys these days and it's so helpful to ask others for guidance. I currently work with contractors and they are not all into what others are doing as they are focused on their work and they are wonderful. Many have retired and came back. I will hope to do that again some day, loved the work!

8. AnonymousAugust 16,2024 at 6:39PM UTC

   This is almost like asking how much the company is paying you to do this job.