State of the Market

[DrewG]

Two approaches for roles at banks with very decent rates.

three days a week in the office so have applied for both.

Stop supporting this. If we don't engage with nonsense requirements for onsite work, the demands will go away and a true flexible remote/hybrid will be the norm. True hybris is ME deciding when I go to the office.

Speaking to a recruiter last week, he said only the desperate are taking regular office roles.

[wattaj]

Stop supporting this. If we don't engage with nonsense requirements for onsite work, the demands will go away and a true flexible remote/hybrid will be the norm. True hybris is ME deciding when I go to the office.

Hmm, so how's that approach working out given the rise of "Umbrella Only" roles?

Speaking to a recruiter last week, he said only the desperate are taking regular office roles.

See above.

People need to eat.

Muppet.

[lecyclist]

This thread is starting to grow on me. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.."

I've been in the same situation many times, wondering if I will find a contract, customising the CV/ email/ phone call to agent/ yeah yeah we'll send your profile across/ silence. While you only need 1 offer, if there is literally nothing coming through it is depressing. You start off wanting to work local, and you start extending the search to "all of UK" then eventually "all of Europe". Eventually you get something, and you relax and tell yourself not to get so stressed about it next time.

My mate is looking for work in the data analytics space at the moment, and wants to work in the office. He is a social animal with no ties, and hates working remotely. He moves wherever the work is, and has no qualms about working in Telford, Hull, or Milton Keynes. The world has changed he says sadly, and his last contract was working remotely for a bank. For the full 6 months, from the moment DHL dropped off his company laptop, he never travelled to the office or met anyone face to face, and the contract drove him nuts.

The last time I worked for a UK bank, about 5 years ago, it was already hybrid working. I was travelling from the EU, in the office a few days a month, and was happy to do so, as the lack of socialising after work was disappointing. Engineers in their 20s and 30s who would leave the office went home to play world of warcraft or Eve all night, with their other half who also gamed. Alternately they would be squirrelling away money and question the logic of going out after work. The few days I was in the country, I could catch up with family and friends, before heading back.

Best wishes to all looking for work.

[DrewG]

Hmm, so how's that approach working out given the rise of "Umbrella Only" roles?

Contractors keep taking inside roles so we're telling the market that this is ok.

People need to eat.

Muppet.

I am aware that people need to eat. That's why I said it's mostly the desperate taking the roles. Striking is never easy but it's the only way you get to change your conditions for the better. Clients will stop asking for things you don't like if the market punishes them.

The market responds to the actions of labour. Withhold Labour from the tulip clients and watch their tune change.. unless you're desperate.. muppet.

[TheDude]

Stop supporting this. If we don't engage with nonsense requirements for onsite work, the demands will go away and a true flexible remote/hybrid will be the norm. True hybris is ME deciding when I go to the office.

Speaking to a recruiter last week, he said only the desperate are taking regular office roles.

I am sure I could find a client that let's me decide when I go into the office if I wanted to take a huge rate cut.

[Smoggy]

You raise a good point about not panicking during bench time. A big warchest helps but I think part of having a happy life as a contractor is to make the most of your down time. I had some time out recently and really enjoyed myself, getting out walking, on the bike, going to my kids sports day etc. Treat it as some of your retirement but brought forward a couple of decades.

[TheDude]

Speaking to a recruiter last week, he said only the desperate are taking regular office roles.

Yeah, right.

[DrewG]

Yeah, right.

Does this NOT sound desperate?

[DrewG]

I am sure I could find a client that let's me decide when I go into the office if I wanted to take a huge rate cut.

What rate are you on now? What cut would you need to take? Are there really no remote contracts in your field?

[TheDude]

What rate are you on now? What cut would you need to take? Are there really no remote contracts in your field?

Nope - blanket IR35 and two days a week in office minimum.

I could chase roles outside banking but there are very few that can compete rate wise.