Decisions...decisions...Perm vs Contract

[elsergiovolador]

Due to the current pandemic would you seek the security of the perm role which means riding out the effect of the pandemic and impacts of IR35 (the law although has since been reversed but most likely will be enforced in 2021 but still expect alp t of banks continuing to enforce blanket rules).

If you don't plan on staying perm for more than two years, then there is not much advantage in terms of security. In the first two years Employer can let you go for almost any reason. You may just get longer notice period than a contract - and this actually may not be good if you find a good gig in the meantime, but you'll have to work through the month's notice and client won't wait.

But if you haven't been perm, or have not been for a long time, then jump in for a month or so, to remind yourself why you are a contractor.

[BlasterBates]

The market will probably improve over the next 6 months. There won't be a pandemic for ever. You'll probably earn around 60K in 6 months, so you ought to have a 12 month warchest.

By the end of 2021, things will look very good.

[jayn200]

If you don't plan on staying perm for more than two years, then there is not much advantage in terms of security. In the first two years Employer can let you go for almost any reason. You may just get longer notice period than a contract - and this actually may not be good if you find a good gig in the meantime, but you'll have to work through the month's notice and client won't wait.

But if you haven't been perm, or have not been for a long time, then jump in for a month or so, to remind yourself why you are a contractor.

At 60k Salary they will probably have a 3 month notice. Think about that. You absolutely hate it and you give notice to leave and you have to stay there for 3 more months. Such a horrible situation.

I do agree that job security isn't guaranteed in perm job. Plus when you lose a perm job and try to find a new perm job it can take 6+ months. Unfortunately if you're older it can take even longer.

[elsergiovolador]

I do agree that job security isn't guaranteed in perm job. Plus when you lose a perm job and try to find a new perm job it can take 6+ months. Unfortunately if you're older it can take even longer.

It may also be difficult to find a new contract with a freshly ended perm job, as recruiters will see that there is a chance you accept another perm and may not present you with contract opportunities.

[Laura@SGAccounting]

I would take the contract, not just because of the financial benefits but also the flexibility it will give you. If you have contracted before then you will know how little control anyone has over you and the choices open up much more as a contractor. Your perm role could be very repetitive in comparison to the projects you will get asked to be involved in. I would also agree that the drive to work is a big decider for me!

[GhostofTarbera]

Do both if both are WFH


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[WTFH]

At 60k Salary they will probably have a 3 month notice. Think about that. You absolutely hate it and you give notice to leave and you have to stay there for 3 more months. Such a horrible situation.

Think about it, if you start the job and absolutely hate it, you'll be on probation for about 3 months. During that time you'll probably be able to walk in a week.
After that you'll be on the notice you've negotiated.
You'll get put on gardening leave - fully paid, but sitting at home doing nothing. Unlike the contractor who gets marched off site with no money coming in. Such a horrible situation.

[LondonManc]

If you don't plan on staying perm for more than two years, then there is not much advantage in terms of security. In the first two years Employer can let you go for almost any reason. You may just get longer notice period than a contract - and this actually may not be good if you find a good gig in the meantime, but you'll have to work through the month's notice and client won't wait.

But if you haven't been perm, or have not been for a long time, then jump in for a month or so, to remind yourself why you are a contractor.

Probably the worst advice I've ever seen.

[elsergiovolador]

You'll get put on gardening leave - fully paid, but sitting at home doing nothing.

As a contractor why would you do nothing? Spin up new cluster, set up Kafka, play with distaster recovery, update your company website, check out new cloud on the block, create new SaaS app to get more passive income and so on.
As an employee, however, you may have in your contract that anything you do outside work hours belongs to the company, so doing nothing makes sense. Awful situation to be in.

Unlike the contractor who gets marched off site with no money coming in. Such a horrible situation.

Contractor likely gets paid in arrears, so you may have money coming for months after ending the job.

[LondonManc]

As a contractor why would you do nothing? Spin up new cluster, set up Kafka, play with distaster recovery, update your company website, check out new cloud on the block, create new SaaS app to get more passive income and so on.
As an employee, however, you may have in your contract that anything you do outside work hours belongs to the company, so doing nothing makes sense. Awful situation to be in.

Just guessing again. If you've not had a permanent job for years, why are you guessing like this?

Contractor likely gets paid in arrears, so you may have money coming for months after ending the job.

Depends, most get paid a week or two. Freelance limited companies on a B2B would have to wait.