The Sub-Contractor Watchstander

May I first state for the record that I love my Skylla boss, love him! Johnny is his name, and he has had my back since before Day 1... seriously, before Day 1. He is so level-headed, willing to fully explain things, and is trustworthy. He's a former Air Force Mathematician that worked with rockets and missiles, if that gives you any insight into his character. He is a Christian, family man with three daughters and tells me that I remind him of one of his daughters. He interviewed Frederick back in February and loved him too, and he has even come to me twice to see if Frederick was interested in a job. Smart guy. But I honestly do love that man!

Being a sub-contractor with a completely (... completely) different pay schedule as the primary contractor, hours and pay get very tricky. My two-week hours (supposed to be 80) are so screwy, ranging from 80 hours to 69 hours to 85 hours to occasionally 89 hours. My balance is way over then somewhat even then way under. It has caused much headache and even heartache from Day 1 as well.

Throw a stupid bridge contract, being a "contract" in between contracts (if that makes any sense) into the mix of the aforesaid mess and that I can ONLY work 930 hours between July1-December 31, and things become almost unbearable. The problem lies in the pay period misalignment and the fact that I am a watchstander which means that I have to cover an entire shift... and those are big-numbered hours to finagle with. My Skylla boss is fussed at by headquarters about my hours. My primary contractor boss is up in arms, and he involves the schedule-making guy to switch around my schedule to ensure that I do not exceed 930 hours. Contracting officers are called. Some lady that neither one of my bosses talk to is called, but she demands information from them (that they can't provide) before she can begin to solve the problem. I am involved, sorting through hours and my leave and deferred holidays. I am coordinating between both of my bosses and the scheduling guy.... while they are coordinating with their bosses and contracting people. Hey, I even heard that Skylla has not been awarded the money to pay for my last pay period because of this mess. I still get paid but at the expense of Skylla. Does any of that make sense? Do you see the ridiculous dilemma? It is insane!!

We, my bosses and I, laughed earlier today about the following: For all of the time and pay that has gone into sorting my mess out, that would have been more than enough hours and pay to cover me and my hours!!! Hello, this is your tax money... But despite the crappy situation, Johnny figured out how to make it work! I might even have to work for him doing anything that he wants me to in the middle of December. Again, I love that man. And BOO to politics and contracting junk.