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    #11
    Originally posted by IsayIsayIsay View Post
    Well today I laid down my conditions and I'm prepared to walk. I didn't come into contracting to be dictated to around terms and conditions of a piece of work (in fact it's the opposite of why I did). We'll see what happens... It feels damn good to be a contractor!
    good for you.

    But to be clear. There is a difference between contracting to a client to deliver stuff, and being a temporary resource with nothing other than an employment contract. You do have some say of Ts&Cs but if anything less say than a permie.
    What you get is more money for a perceived lack of job security.

    Focus on how to become a real contractor (note that very few contractors really do that, despite what they say, hence why we have the mess that is IR35).
    See You Next Tuesday

    Comment


      #12
      Originally posted by Lance View Post

      good for you.

      But to be clear. There is a difference between contracting to a client to deliver stuff, and being a temporary resource with nothing other than an employment contract. You do have some say of Ts&Cs but if anything less say than a permie.
      What you get is more money for a perceived lack of job security.

      Focus on how to become a real contractor (note that very few contractors really do that, despite what they say, hence why we have the mess that is IR35).
      Yep - I get that, it's a steep learning curve, and being "proper" is where I want to be. Until then, I'll seek out the right agencies for me and make sure the rewards are worth the risk. It's fascinating to be in this world and realising that choice is what it's about (of course we have to earn, but the ability to understand your boundaries makes you more attractive/assured and in some ways more desirable to a client, if not the agency).

      Comment


        #13
        "Choice of agency". Nice idea. You go with the one with the right job for you. They owe you no loyalty (as has already been said, you are merely a commodity) so while it's good to keep in with the good ones, it's very hard to do unless you are a sought after specialist, or have a wide enough network to be in demand on your own terms.. And if you are not one of those, you actually have very little leverage in reality.

        Put it this way: on three occasions I've rescued and delivered multi-million pound programmes of work (a major govt. Department, a big finance house and a major insurance company). In each case I got the work on recommendation. On those three occasions I've been let go within a week of completing them (fair enough...). On those three occasions I've never heard back from the agency or the consultancy.
        Blog? What blog...?

        Comment


          #14
          Originally posted by malvolio View Post
          "Choice of agency". Nice idea. You go with the one with the right job for you. They owe you no loyalty (as has already been said, you are merely a commodity) so while it's good to keep in with the good ones, it's very hard to do unless you are a sought after specialist, or have a wide enough network to be in demand on your own terms.. And if you are not one of those, you actually have very little leverage in reality.

          Put it this way: on three occasions I've rescued and delivered multi-million pound programmes of work (a major govt. Department, a big finance house and a major insurance company). In each case I got the work on recommendation. On those three occasions I've been let go within a week of completing them (fair enough...). On those three occasions I've never heard back from the agency or the consultancy.
          Choice is the only thing we DO all have.

          Comment


            #15
            Originally posted by IsayIsayIsay View Post

            Choice is the only thing we DO all have.
            I admire your optimism.
            Blog? What blog...?

            Comment


              #16
              Originally posted by malvolio View Post

              I admire your optimism.
              I'm sure it'll get beaten out of me at some point!

              We should connect, we're in the same line of business... critical turnarounds, programme, transformation.

              Comment


                #17
                Originally posted by IsayIsayIsay View Post

                I'm sure it'll get beaten out of me at some point!

                We should connect, we're in the same line of business... critical turnarounds, programme, transformation.
                I was, I gave up a few years ago. Optimism was finally exhausted a couple of years before that, largely driven by watching supposedly experienced senior managers making the same old mistakes time and time again.

                Making models, walking the dog and regularly discovering I can't act fill my times these days.
                Blog? What blog...?

                Comment


                  #18
                  Originally posted by malvolio View Post

                  I was, I gave up a few years ago. Optimism was finally exhausted a couple of years before that, largely driven by watching supposedly experienced senior managers making the same old mistakes time and time again.

                  Making models, walking the dog and regularly discovering I can't act fill my times these days.
                  Enjoy!

                  Comment


                    #19
                    So, to update this, the agency I'm working with are bending over backwards to support my requests. I've managed to get Clarity added to the PSL, change payment terms from 30 to 7 days, and also making sure expenses for travel are covered as it's a remote contract. I know agencies get a bad deal, but there are some gems out there and I hope to be building a long term relationship with them (they also operate a lot in my space).

                    Moral of the story, don't be scared to ask for what you want. Be prepared to walk away and value yourself, you may be surprised.

                    Comment


                      #20
                      Originally posted by IsayIsayIsay View Post
                      So, to update this, the agency I'm working with are bending over backwards to support my requests. I've managed to get Clarity added to the PSL, change payment terms from 30 to 7 days, and also making sure expenses for travel are covered as it's a remote contract. I know agencies get a bad deal, but there are some gems out there and I hope to be building a long term relationship with them (they also operate a lot in my space).

                      Moral of the story, don't be scared to ask for what you want. Be prepared to walk away and value yourself, you may be surprised.
                      Where is the base for this contract, home or their office? If the latter your travel costs are just going to be added to the invoice amount and taxed as if PAYE income.
                      merely at clientco for the entertainment

                      Comment

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