State of the Market

[gables]

As it should be, but well done. You may end up being off the bench sooner than you thought, though - that is generally how it works when you don't absolutely need the next gig.

And don't make the mistake I did when an 18 month contract was coming to end... during which both my parents died, as did my wife's Mum oh and her dog, I'd hoped for a month off but a cock up on dates and communications and I started the next contract 3 days later after the weekend.. Jeez

[SussexSeagull]

Its not close because even though the polls are neck and neck, because its an Electoral College the Democrats need to win by 3%+ points to stand any chance of winning the EC. Clinton won the popular vote by 2.1% but failed to win the EC , Biden won by 4.5% and so was able to win the EC.

The Democrats are now left hoping the Polls are underestimating Harris support by 3%. And she is really 3% ahead of Trump and the polls just are not showing it.

Totally disagree!!

You are paid more as a contractor because you have no job security, no employment rights nor any employment benefits - holidays, sick, pension, bonuses etc etc

The pay is more to compensate for the lack of all these things plus the uncertainty of the work duration...in a nutshell you earn more for the lack of certainty and add ons.

That excess is being eroded through more and more taxes (IR35, ER NI etc) and the pluses of contracting become less financially viable ....that is aside from whatever one's mindset is re perm work and what that brings...a different set of challenges not all monetary...

Contracting as was is dead and the future looks bleak...whatever way you cut it....successive govts have seen to that.

As said elsewhere we should be paid more but broadly speaking that should be coming from the end client, not the tax system. The problem is at the moment they don't have to pay big bucks to recruit contractors and can designate everything Inside IR35 because so many are available.

I say broadly because expenses should still be reflected in the tax system because it is the one area we are significantly different to permanent staff.

[jamesbrown]

I say broadly because expenses should still be reflected in the tax system because it is the one area we are significantly different to permanent staff.

I can see why the tax treatment of expenses is the same for employees and umbrella workers, but I also agree that it's a major disincentive to relocate for work and that costs the economy something too, so more could be done on expenses, I agree.

[Cookielove]

I think you have a significant problem with reading comprehension. As I said above, you are paid more and enjoy greater flexibility. Tax has nothing to do with it (shouldn't have). The excess isn't being eroded by tax, primarily, it is being eroded by your skillset becoming commoditized and, ultimately, not worth very much. Yes, this is partly down to supply/demand and supply is partly down to immigration and offshoring, which I note that you enjoy banging on about. The same is true for all contract types, including permies.

lol

the tax has everything to do with it as the regime has totally changed most roles are now mainly outside and not via ltd companies and the Umbrella regime is another level of taxation...

"banging on about" ...quite hilarious! facts are facts about visas issued but don't let cold hard facts get in the way.

[Cookielove]

mainly inside not outside ...typing too fast watching the PMQ's in the background

[willendure]

As it should be, but well done. You may end up being off the bench sooner than you thought, though - that is generally how it works when you don't absolutely need the next gig.

Yeah, its how it happened with this one. I was all ready to relax into summer 2021 when this one came along only a month or so after the previous one ended.

I have no expectation of finding something quickly this time around though. I have actually been looking on and off over the last 2 years and applied for many many things. Only managed to get about 2 interviews over that 2 year period. So yeah, its pretty dead out there at the moment.

[willendure]

And don't make the mistake I did when an 18 month contract was coming to end... during which both my parents died, as did my wife's Mum oh and her dog, I'd hoped for a month off but a cock up on dates and communications and I started the next contract 3 days later after the weekend.. Jeez

I still remember contracting in Java around 2000ish. You'd go to an interview and they would ask you if you could start tomorrow morning!

[Fraidycat]

I still remember contracting in Java around 2000ish. You'd go to an interview and they would ask you if you could start tomorrow morning!

Back in 2000 was offered a £650 a day contract with no interview, they just wanted anyone to start ASAP if they had experience at a competitor company + ATG Dynamo on the CV.

They still couldn't fill the role as candidates (myself included) just used the offer to up rates at current client.

[Snooky]

WillEndure just joined the bench!

Sorry to hear that, best of luck finding something else very soon

[sadkingbilly]

I still remember contracting in Java around 2000ish. You'd go to an interview and they would ask you if you could start tomorrow morning!

never been to indonesia, what's it like?