Back to permieland - 1 month in

[PCTNN]

And that's why you are better off staying am moaning perm. It appears you don't understand contracting very well.

Sure sure, the true expert has spoken

If you think you understand something well, more often than not you're the most ignorant of the bunch.

Keep being you, never change. It's always fun to read your bulltulip

[kloos]

No you don't. You have a guy that's substituting words but still doesn't understand a client/supplier relationship and what he is in that relationship. They will still have a perm head on which means they will not be able to understand basic situations as they will be thinking like a perm. When he gets the boot on the spot he will be on here asking what his rights are and wanting to take them down an unfair dismissal process for a start.

Changing words and being a proper contractor are worlds apart.

Actually I get that. My current role is a cushtie number, and I realise that. I landed on my feet for my first contract, but just because they treat me like a member of staff doesn't mean that I am one. If I advise them to turn right and they turn left, who cares! As long as I made my point clearly and covered my back then I'm happy that I did my job. Client is a better word than boss or line manager, but essentially it means the same thing, ie the person who gives me the role and who I report feedback to and who decides whether I stay or not.

Don't think that getting the boot on the spot is reserved for contracts. My last 2 perm roles ended on the spot being escorted from the building (slightly more challenging for the 2nd one as it was remote). At least this time, if they end my contract I am armed and ready with pimps who know me already.

[northernladuk]

Substitute line manager for client and you have a fully qualified contractor armed with a pen and notebook ready to bill 1K a day for "consultancy services"

Having been a permie and a contractor I can tell you that many contractors and perms are indistinguishable.... Apart from a contractor coming in with client tattooed on his forehead and some business cards sticking to their soles of their shoes they do the same work day in and day out...

Thats in finance working for large fortune 500 companies - Maybe your experience is different where contractors were born or have special magical properties

No you don't. You have a guy that's substituting words but still doesn't understand a client/supplier relationship and what he is in that relationship. They will still have a perm head on which means they will not be able to understand basic situations as they will be thinking like a perm. When he gets the boot on the spot he will be on here asking what his rights are and wanting to take them down an unfair dismissal process for a start.

Changing words and being a proper contractor are worlds apart.

Who cares, as long as the day rate is acceptable and the money comes in the bank account in time. That's all that matters.

And that's why you are better off staying am moaning perm. It appears you don't understand contracting very well.

[GregRickshaw]

This return to office stuff will only happen if you let it.

For once all workers - employees and contractors alike - have the leverage here while the status quo is on your side, i.e. working remotely.

Watch out for those who will go back in a little too voluntarily, expecting their colleagues/suppliers to follow suit. These people are not your friends.

This is so true and what the OP actually did, for some reason they have been sort of criticised for doing so.

The work place has changed forever.

[malvolio]

Who cares, as long as the day rate is acceptable and the money comes in the bank account in time. That's all that matters.

No it's not. But clearly you will never understand that.

[PCTNN]

No, dafty, I was just asking. I don't know much about labour law.

[northernladuk]

Lol so today's rumour is that one team (not mine) is being tracked to check how many days a week they come in the office.

Again, just a rumor that has emerged on today's stand up. Would it even be legal?

It's that old thing that just because someone doesn't like it they think it's illegal.

I think this one is heading for General.

[PCTNN]

Lol so today's rumour is that one team (not mine) is being tracked to check how many days a week they come in the office.

Again, just a rumor that has emerged on today's stand up. Would it even be legal?

[PerfectStorm]

This return to office stuff will only happen if you let it.

For once all workers - employees and contractors alike - have the leverage here while the status quo is on your side, i.e. working remotely.

Watch out for those who will go back in a little too voluntarily, expecting their colleagues/suppliers to follow suit. These people are not your friends.

[vwdan]

Having been a permie and a contractor I can tell you that many contractors and perms are indistinguishable.... Apart from a contractor coming in with client tattooed on his forehead and some business cards sticking to their soles of their shoes they do the same work day in and day out...

Many are, certainly - but the point is, to *really* excel it's all about attitude and how you come across. No client of mine has ever been in any doubt that I'm a contract consultant - which is probably why I don't spend very long looking the same as the permies. Rubbed up plenty of permie noses over the years by suddenly being invited to meetings nobody else is, or acquiring the ear of certain people. And it's not because I'm "better", it's because I've always presented myself as a consultant first.

Ultimately, it's about know what you are - if you want to just be a permie but on contract wages then fair enough, I guess that's up to you. And, of course, now many roles are Inside by default I suppose it's no harm. But if you want to be more than just another permie, another bum on a seat, then you need to walk in with a different attitude and provide a special sort of value.

Thats in finance working for large fortune 500 companies

Incidentally, my last 2 companies have been literally Fortune 500 (one in finance), and the one before that wasn't F500 but did turnover 30 billion, so I'm not convinced that a large company is a major bar to distinguishing yourself.