Another contract v perm thread

[Ld1978]

Hi all

I am new here and have been reading lots of posts but getting nowhere so wanted to post my own.

As a background I worked as a contactor many years ago for a couple of years before going perm to get maternity benefits etc.

I was made redundant at 39 weeks pregnant so once I was ready to work again I tried to find part time or flexible work which didn’t happen. My lovely old boss hooked me up with a contract role which I’ve been doing for nearly 6 months.

I do love contracting as I hate the perm bull of objectives, personal development, politics etc and job security doesn’t worry me (due to above ha ha) and I’m really lucky I have a great contract role right now. I commute an hour right now and they are great at me leaving early and starting early.

I had a chat with someone at the old company and I have been offered a perm role. Plus sides are being close to home (I have two young kids which is key for me) but the money is a lot less and it’s back to all the crap that comes with perm.

I’ve tried weighing it all up and for me contract money is great but I need to balance with Home life and my girls. What if the next contract isn’t as flexible or a good rate and I have to travel far (I’m lucky I’m m3/4 corridor so most things are in my area)

My current rate is 350 (I do Pmo so I think this is a good rate and I often see lesser rates) and the perm role is 48k.

I’m so torn between being close to home and not having a commute or keeping contracting and enjoying the freedom and money. I have to say I have amazing parents who look after my girls or I wouldn’t be able to be so flexible.

What would you do? Money isn’t the be all and end all but I don’t want to miss out on time with my kids. Being perm and local means I know where I am at. But my current contract is fab and despite a minimum hour commute I still see them as I start and finish early.

Obviously there’s also the whole if I am on the bench for a few months then the money soon dwindles away. My old boss thinks I could use my network and roles would come up. I know lots of people who have always found things.

I know on other posts it says that if your asking then go perm but I don’t know outside of location and commute if perm really is right. Money is definitely a factor but I know that could go at anytime.

Help ha ha

[kaiser78]

once I was ready to work again I tried to find part time or flexible work which didn’t happen. My lovely old boss hooked me up with a contract role which I’ve been doing for nearly 6 months.

You'll be lucky to find a contract offering this....

I’ve tried weighing it all up and for me contract money is great but I need to balance with Home life and my girls. What if the next contract isn’t as flexible or a good rate and I have to travel far

There's your answer - for me (personally), my priorities would be home life and the girls if they are still tiny.

[LondonManc]

One of your big issues is that I can see PMO roles being deemed as inside IR35 once Hector makes a tax grab on the private sector. It's not a specialist role, you're very much under SDC, etc. Work/life balance matters a lot; I partly regret working away as I missed a lot of things that my kids told me about later. Fortunately my wife's phone had the pictures to help relate their stories better.

[Ld1978]

Thanks all. I couldn't find a perm or contract offering that ha ha!

I am really lucky where I live that I am reasonably confident I could find a contract role within an hours travel so hopefully work life balance wouldnt be too negatively affected. I am very lucky where I am right now that I leave early so am home by 5 to see the girls. This looks to at least be carrying on until Xmas maybe later.

When do you think the rules will change for private sector? The thought of all the perm objectives and stuff does not inspire me at all, and the extra money from contracting (whilst not benched) allows me to make some lovely memories and experiences with my girls too.

Thanks for the advice. Can someone decide for me ha ha!

[Ld1978]

Thanks everyone. I couldn't find a flexible job contract or perm ha ha!

I am lucky where I live that most things are commutable within in a hour or so I am confident I could find something fairly close. My current contract should go to Dec or longer and I am lucky I leave early so get home for 5pm.

The thought of perm objectives, PDs and all that rubbish fills me with dread but I get the whole being close to home, stability thing too. But the flip side is contracting allows me to have the funds to do more and have some life experiences with the kids too.

Is the private sector stuff likely to hit soon?

Can someone decide for me ha ha! I am literally torn with pros and cons for each!!

[l35kee]

For £48k permie vs £350 a day. Couldn't you work for 6 months and take 6 months off in the year? Being a contractor allows me to take more time off, not less?

[Ld1978]

For £48k permie vs £350 a day. Couldn't you work for 6 months and take 6 months off in the year? Being a contractor allows me to take more time off, not less?

Exactly - I would have more freedom work wise and none of the politics. 350 is a decent rate for PMO so I do worry whether this would be so easy to find for my next contract. How would I fare on 250 a day vs the 48k (plus pension, 28 days holiday etc etc)

[1manshow]

For £48k permie vs £350 a day. Couldn't you work for 6 months and take 6 months off in the year? Being a contractor allows me to take more time off, not less?

This is great for the short term yes - I think long term is what OP is thinking. The perm job might be a rare opportunity in terms of location, which is what is drawing her to it. She could apply to other perm jobs in 6 months, but maybe she isn't confident of finding something similar.

Similarly, doing stints of 6/9 months sounds good in theory, but who is to say where her next contract lies and what flexibility they provide her.

[Ld1978]

This is great for the short term yes - I think long term is what OP is thinking. The perm job might be a rare opportunity in terms of location, which is what is drawing her to it. She could apply to other perm jobs in 6 months, but maybe she isn't confident of finding something similar.

Similarly, doing stints of 6/9 months sounds good in theory, but who is to say where her next contract lies and what flexibility they provide her.

In a nutshell this is it. Although I do think perm roles seem to come up quite a lot at this company (the same company that made me redundant when pregnant). If I am honest location is the main thing swaying me as money, freedom, no permie rubbish makes me want to stick with contracting. But like you say how do I know where or what my next contract is going to be like. If only I had a crystal ball.

I actually didnt apply as I knew the head of dept and messaged him and he said come in for a chat. Next thing that chat was an interview (which ended up as a chat) and they offered the job. For some reason I've said yes to the recruiter (instead of saying let me think - I have no idea why I just felt like I needed to decide there and then) so now I dont want to burn bridges and mess people around.

I think living where I do that contracts would be more in my area and I am confident of my experience in PMO and my network of people.

[northernladuk]

Can someone decide for me ha ha! I am literally torn with pros and cons for each!!

This isn't like a one time decision. Look at it more like a marathon and do what suits for each stage of said marathon.

Right now the shortest commute to spend the best time with your kids is key. They aren't old enough for 'experiences' as yet are they? So I'd say go perm.

BUT

In a few years when they are in nursery or something else changes in your life where longer hours and commutes are possible then switch back to contracting.

Going perm for a year or two is just a small blip. Regretting not spending quality time with your kids and starting off on the right foot isn't. A question over whether to do the best thing for new kids vs money is a no brainer at this point IMO