Doing non IT work inbetween IT contracts

[curtis]

Has anyone ever maybe due to a long period between contracts taken a non IT job. I don't mean helping a mate for £20 type work but though an agent calling or seeing a temporary role advertised?

I'm on the bench currently no major panic with that but I got a call out the blue from an agent asking if i was interested in a 3 week temp assignment non IT related. I can wait for a contract but the place is where someone I know really well works and actually in a way would make a nice change and brings in a bit more pocket money.

I'm under an Umbrella and so used to using them but for this instance would it be better to work through the agent for this type of thing as it will be a normal low temp type pay so thinking with the extra NI and their admin fee would it be worth it. In which case if not would I just keep setup via the umbrella for when I finish and continue with the job through the agent or would I have to leave the umbrella,get my P45 then rejoin?

[VectraMan]

I walked past a temp agency in town the other day and they had a sign something like "Students wanted, temp jobs available". I'm not a student, but it did make me think whilst I'm benched I could do some crappy office typing job (like I used to do when I was), or walk zombie like round a factory sweeping up. Don't need the money, but it would get me out the house a bit.

Only downside is that whilst you're in the middle of that you could miss out on a real contract job, and I always think (arrogantly) my time ought to be more valuable than that and I could be learning, or training, or working on some kind of plan B instead.

Usually these things are done through the agent, but maybe you could persuade them to use your umbrella if you're paying for it anyway. If you don't get the P45 (which shouldn't be difficult) you'll likely be emergency taxed. But then if you don't really need the cash it doesn't matter a lot and it'll all work out in the end after SA.

[WTFH]

I walked past a temp agency in town the other day and they had a sign something like "Students wanted, temp jobs available". I'm not a student, but it did make me think whilst I'm benched I could do some crappy office typing job (like I used to do when I was), or walk zombie like round a factory sweeping up. Don't need the money, but it would get me out the house a bit.

Only downside is that whilst you're in the middle of that you could miss out on a real contract job, and I always think (arrogantly) my time ought to be more valuable than that and I could be learning, or training, or working on some kind of plan B instead.

Make sure your temp contract has a 1 week notice period, it's what a contractor would do

[curtis]

whilst I'm benched I could do some crappy office typing job

This was my thinking the main thing for me its something less stressful and different for a while and have a break from the IT stresses and hassles and I suppose you could see it as another form of networking.

[d000hg]

Make sure your temp contract has a 1 week notice period, it's what a contractor would do

Won't they all be zero-hours these days anyway?

[ladymuck]

I've not done it yet. I did once seriously consider a Christmas job at PC World for a laugh as I didn't see much point looking for a gig in December.

[SueEllen]

I've not done it yet. I did once seriously consider a Christmas job at PC World for a laugh as I didn't see much point looking for a gig in December.

I've got three gigs in December.

[vwdan]

My brother drives trucks and I must admit, I've had similar thoughts. Get my license (It's a bucket list item anyway, cos I'm sad like that) and do a bit of agency work for laughs. Would be fun doing a job that doesn't need to feature on my CV (I.e., I can say stuff it whenever I like)

[SlipTheJab]

I knew a permie dev who used to do a bit of roofing on the side, all cash in hand

[northernladuk]

We've got a local taxi firm that uses decent black Passats that are always very smart and the drivers are all local guys and well turned out. Bit like a Stobart of taxi firms. Everyone that works for them says they enjoy it and they are always on the look out for a drivers. Every time the bench looms I always consider having a pop at that just to say I've done it for a giggle. My other half won't let me though as she'd be mortified if I had to pick any of her friends up. They will probably go bust soon anyway.

I'd also to go back to doing a bit of metalwork on the lathes and the like as well for a bit of fun but it's been a very long time since I did that so I'd be more a hindrance than a help.