Expensive permies

[Platypus]

One chap I used to work with gets nearly 50 days allowing for seniority days etc.

WOW !!

[Zero Liability]

Exactly this should not be a surprise to us contractors but it is nice to hear it confirmed

Sure but you don't need to be a genius to figure it out. I think people just don't have a clue how expensive they can be to their employers, even as temp staff. The engager is gaining an advantage through using contractors one way or the other, whether it be the flexibility they bring, lower overall cost etc. They're generally not in business to lose money by deliberately taking on higher costs with no offsetting advantages. Rather than griping about contractors, they could try find out why contractors can command the rates they do, because nothing is stopping permies from stopping permanent work and changing the way they do business, to better capitalise upon their experience.