Disguised permie roles

**tino** · 9 May 2007, 10:14

take it and make yourself indespensible therefore securing the perfect permie package or they may agree to keep you on as a contractor.

they can't "make" you go permie after 3 months

**Euro-commuter** · 9 May 2007, 10:15

Originally posted by Jog On

Just had a call for a 3 month 'contract going on pemanent' role. The agent asked me how I felt about going perm and I said that I've just had a real humdinger of a time setting up my Ltd, paid for insurance, accounting got my PAYE systems salary/dividend all set up, gone to WH Smiths and bought a bunch of files, set up a filing system with all my reciepts/invoices etc etc etc, and I'm a contractor now- any perm role would have to be amazing for me to go back.

We chatted about the role and it sounds good but he said that a requirement is that I would have to go permanent after the 3 months. I asked if by perm he meant 'rolling contract' or become a permie on PAYE. He said become a permie on PAYE.

It's a shame because the role sounds really good in a good place (investment bank), but I don't want to go back to being someone else's emloyee ever again.

Is this just a method of snagging contractors into permie positions? Why are they advertising for contractors in the first place? He sounded like he'd only put me forward for this contract if I was prepared to become permie after 3 months..

there is no such thing as "contract to permanent". It's a permanent position, with a 3-month probation period for the employer. It's nothing to do with contracting.

**Jog On** · 9 May 2007, 10:20

Maybe I'll go for it anyway - if it turns out that after 3 months they won't 'extend' then I'll find another 'contract'

**XTC** · 9 May 2007, 10:20

I was thinking that it was a contract and that if after 3 months they were happy with you then you'd get a permanent role. It's their way of protecting themselves against employing some dimwit then struggling to fire him.

**BrilloPad** · 9 May 2007, 10:22

If you fancy 3 months there just take the contract and then refuse the permie role - cite salary or something. They might even like you enough to carry on the contract.

Not sure if you work in IB or not at moment? What gets most people is not the IB or the job(although some get a bit stressed) but the commute. I have only managed it for 20+ years as I start and finish early so miss the rush. Some are larks and some are owls...

**Jog On** · 9 May 2007, 10:32

I don't mind the commute so much as I do it from zone 6 into the West End at the moment. I'm interested in investing so I'd like to be in that environment although I haven't worked in that environment before (have worked in banking though).

I've only had the intial first call so who knows if it will go any further. If I get another call back I'll go for it, if they offer me a permie role I'll just politely decline and suggest a contract extension if anything.

I'm thinking way further ahead, however I think the interest in me for being put forward for this role will have a lot to do with my preparedness to go perm should it all work out. I'll say yes for the meantime - I can always change my mind can't I..

**cykophysh39** · 9 May 2007, 17:07

We must of spoken to the same Pimp, I said NO too. It Sounded too much IR35 ish to me.

**lukemg** · 10 May 2007, 08:51

Agents will tell you anything to get what they want. IF you like the sound of the contract, tell the agent what he wants to hear. 3 months later if you don't want the perm job, just tell him your circumstances/attitude have changed, don't like the company etc etc. Frankly I would just say look - I have got used to the contract money and don't want to take a pay cut. That says you will stay as contract but will leave if they insist on perm, this makes it their decision if you leave.

**dang65** · 10 May 2007, 09:16

I've seen this advert, or one very like it. Must've been on Jobserve I guess. Said something about, "Must be willing to go permanent after 3 months. Please do not apply if you are not willing to go permanent."

I'm really not sure who the hell they're aiming at. Like most contractors, I've been offered a permie position at practically every place where I've taken a contract. I've only ever known one person to accept, and I think he must've just fancied taking a long term sickie or something!

And a serial permie presumably wouldn't take the gamble, thanks very much. You'd have to set up with an umbrella or your own ltd just to get through the trial period. Whole thing's daft.

Disguised permie roles