It started fine, I got along with most people, but the company itself is a mess. The accounting is a mess, the last three months were not touched at all. The company existed for four years but barely made any money and pretty much lives off tax credits, loans and investors' money. I had some hope for them, but now...they are really pissing me off.
What pissed me off the most was the HR lady that was supposed to help me. I'm not sure where she graduated from, but she is so fake and she does it so poorly. She would always act like she's so helpful, but it's all an act. I had 3 months of accounting to do within 2 weeks, and she was leaving on vacation. I asked her to pull out some stuff before she left. Right before she left, she asked me if I needed anything else. I said no. Then she said "If you need me for anything, please do not hesitate to call me. Really, don't hesitate." After she left, I realize that she didn't do anything. I called her, but no answer of course.
So, needless to say that I didn't trust her.
Later, the government requested some information regarding their R&D. The government could refuse the R&D if they didn't not provide the information needed so it was very crucial. I asked her to pull out the HR portion of the stuff needed. Everytime, I ask her what the status is, she either cuts me off or says that she will definitely do it soon. I figured, fine, she must not like me repeating myself, she's autonomous and she knows what she's doing. However, I told her the date of the deadline is a few days before the real deadline. That way, I can ensure that it's done on time. Finally the day arrived, and it's obviously not done.
Don't you hate people that complain that you repeat too much but when you don't repeat, things are not done?!
I had to talk to the client/her boss, because I think it's difficult working with her and I think they should be aware of the issue. I told him that I will include him in every e-mail I send her, because it looks like it's the only way to make her work.
That worked out for a while, and I really don't mind her fake ass as long as things are done. Then, there was another problem. Their cash flow was running tight and they never seem to answer my questions, so I didn't bother chasing them. I'm not there to babysit. They ask me to pay stuff and then wonder where the money went, when he just spent 40K$ just travelling in one month. Why is the cash flow not working? You tell me. Until one day, he barely had enough money for the payroll, but he promised me to pay me right away.
I made him an invoice for the past 2 weeks, and got him the second disbursement of R&D...however, he didn't pay me, which I thought was unacceptable. I know that he's probably waiting for the money to come in, but I'm not paid on commission. If he doesn't have money, he shouldn't even be calling me in the first place.
Not only he didn't pay me, he asked me to do more stuff. So I responded that.
He simply responded that we will talk about that in person. I didn't respond after that.
The day after, there was a meeting that they wanted me to attend, but I didn't show up, since I haven't received my payment. I will definitely not make time for them. The HR lady texted me and asked if everything was alright. I said things will be alright if they pay me. "I thought you would come in today and figure out the cash flow so we can pay you..."
"No...you pay me first, then I will figure out the cash flow so you can pay everybody else."
Makes sense?
Of course they had to pay me, because they still needed me to get another loan. Right after she paid me, she sent me this:
I seriously don't know what to say. That message is so stupid. They are saying that they are paying my past invoice on condition of something that's unrelated. It's so dumb!
This is my response:
I seriously cannot stand that lady. Last time, she found a parking ticket on the floor and asked if it was mine. I said no because I parked somewhere else since there were no more space in the usual parking lot. She replied like she was surprised and said she will call them to let me in next time. I was like...you don't even know which car I drive and the people there don't know my name...how are you going to tell them? If you are not going to do anything, then why do you even talk?
It wouldn't have been such a big deal if they were not as sketchy, and not so difficult. But they never keep their words and they always have to be calling me on the weekends, and after business hours to bother me for last minute requests. Also, if they can't do something, then they should just say they can't and that will earn them more respect for their words. Unfortunately, everybody in that company are good sellers, but very bad doers.
Honestly, if I could wait and be optimistic like the rest of the consultants, this wouldn't happen. But I'm a realistic person, and I don't want them to think it's okay to not pay me. Also, I'm really not a difficult person; if they paid me, they can call me to talk about their life if they want and I will always make time for them. If they don't pay me, then they earn a trip to the bottom of my priority list. And if you're not nice, it will definitely not go unnoticed.
And I'm thick-skinned enough to do really fucked up shit if you owe me money!!!