I AM DONE.

[ChimpMaster]

As the final few days of my contract approach, I reflect on my age (late 50's), my working life and my future.
<SNIP>
Good luck everybody and I truly hope the market improves for you all.

Well it's about time

Well done OS, it's been a long hard slog leading to a well earned semi-retirement. You've invested well over the years (maybe not as well as Scoots) so you'll be more than OK mate.

I semi-retired 4 years ago when my years of contracting finally came to an end - I also started in 2004. Contracting lasted longer than i thought, so it was a bonus that I made it to my late 40s. I've been bumming around in a permie job since then, doing the a couple of days work each week. The work itself is mind-numbing but I have plenty of time to doss around and carry on with my personal investments/life. No longer chasing the £££, and it feels good to let go.

It's great that you have a plan that involves doing something for yourself now. Good luck to you.

[TheDude]

Good luck pal.

I am also done. Spent almost last 4 years at a very well know IB went perm they told me I had to so I did...that caused them to screw me out of a few grand alone due to notice timings.......

Then last 2 years we all knew the end was looming as they handed a well known consultancy who specialise in illegal onshoring activity but are super cheap to engage with a lengthy contract to supply the IB with IT staff....that was only ever going to end one way.

So they made most of us redundant by forcing us all out effectively if you wanted to go or not they did not want us at all the oldest most experienced team members were all thrown away like a used condom! I only use that analogy as we were treated with that level of respect............!

Sure we all get super hefty £££ payouts & paid leave for months as per their legal obligation (I hope they survive long enough to send all the outstanding contractual £££).

Could have gone on a few more years was not meant to be...the manner in which it was done was borderline illegal & criminal but as everyone is getting a decent payout I doubt anyone will mount a legal challenge as by sheer coincidence it will take just over 3 months to get all your contractually owed £££.....their internal guidelines state you must challenge WITHIN 3 months LOL

UK Government do not support UK workers at all this sort of thing will continue to happen again & again its highly illegal but very time consuming & expensive to prove otherwise.

I have spent a lot of time at investment banks.

When it is time for redundancies 40 something senior VPs are first out the door.

[TheDude]

Early 50s here.

My current (outside) gig is the first time I have ever taken a lower rate. It is 50% lower than my previous inside rate.

It more than pays the bills and is obviously preferable to being out of work. I am starting to accept that this may be the new norm.

[oliverson]

Around 24 hours now from 'time' on my contracting career. Starting to feel strange.

[ChimpMaster]

Around 24 hours now from 'time' on my contracting career. Starting to feel strange.

Ironically it was the best feeling for me. I MVL'd, it was the summer of Covid so we had lots of time as a family and I had lots of time to myself. It was the feeling of freedom.

[uk contractor]

I have spent a lot of time at investment banks.

When it is time for redundancies 40 something senior VPs are first out the door.

Not always! We managed to ride out 2 years of this 3 time unlucky this year...they culled a lot of IT staff last week all in 1 go. Its not going to save them anything £££ wise short term quite the opposite...

[oliverson]

Early days I guess but I'm sat at the same desk, typing on the same keyboard, staring into the same monitors but not getting paid for it. I guess old habits die hard.

However, it's been a beautiful day today, cold but with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Extended walk for the dogs this morning, through the woods, over farmland and across the streams, with no rush to be back at my desk, just in case somebody is pinging me. The simple things eh?

[Snooky]

Congratulations! Maybe it didn't all end the way you might have hoped, but it's a new phase of your life with, hopefully, lots of new and interesting aspects.

And who knows? In a couple of years time, you might spot or be approached with an opportunity to reopen your toolbox and do a bit more work, purely on your own terms!

[oliverson]

Congratulations! Maybe it didn't all end the way you might have hoped, but it's a new phase of your life with, hopefully, lots of new and interesting aspects.

And who knows? In a couple of years time, you might spot or be approached with an opportunity to reopen your toolbox and do a bit more work, purely on your own terms!

Maybe, but I tell you what, I didn't foresee having to slalom around my local supermarket mid-day, trying to avoid all the pensioners. Nobody prepares you for that when they talk about retirement!

[SussexSeagull]

Living well is the best revenge.

That said, as you aren’t looking for a new contract, one will no doubt appear.