How much would it take to get you to go permie

[DieScum]

I'd guess, outside of the City, 50k is a very good wage for a senior technical permie job. So contracting is always going to dwarf that.

Regarding appraisals. A couple of hours of your life once a year is hardly a big deal.

For politics, the best thing about contracting is being able to walk away and know you aren't going to have to stick something - but then again, if you are making decent money you want to keep good relationships.

I have very rarely encountered office politics and it has mainly when I have gone in as an outside consultant... and knowing I am going to be away pretty soon makes that a lot more bearable.

I think the really important thing is the change of scenery and not having to stick the same nonsense for too long.

[kanulondon]

£70k

But I don't want to go permie for the next 5 years

I am permie now, but looking forward to joining the dark side soon. My wage is OK but it fluctuates too much for more liking as it's linked with 'on-call' overtime.

I need a stable base...

KL

[ft101]

Yeah - it's all about the lifestyle that contracting allows. Not saying that it's easy or anything but you're never going to get a permie job with that level of freedom.

Personally, as long as I'm clearing more than someone in a permie job on 50k I'm happy - it leaves me plenty of time to work on my house and will allow me time to spend time with my family (when it arrives next year).

I'd only consider going back to a permie job if it was stress free...

Thats the approach I take too - i'm not chasing the highest rates, but looking to make myself competitive and get some repeat business. At the end of the day, its a lifestyle decision.

I was close to a offer of a permie job at 65k, 4.5k car allowance and other benefits so a total package of 70-75k. This involved 60%+ travel. Granted i'm doing that level of travel now as a contractor, but its on my terms.

[Torran]

Yeah - it's all about the lifestyle that contracting allows. Not saying that it's easy or anything but you're never going to get a permie job with that level of freedom.

Personally, as long as I'm clearing more than someone in a permie job on 50k I'm happy - it leaves me plenty of time to work on my house and will allow me time to spend time with my family (when it arrives next year).

I'd only consider going back to a permie job if it was stress free...

I've considered it a couple of times to be honest but always manged to talk myself out of it.. The stress attached to permy jobs of £80k+ from what I can see is substantial not forgetting the fact that you are basically on call 24/7 for the rest of your life (certainly in finance). The heads and directors around here are usually in before 7 and regularly have audios at 21.00 and at weekends

Screw that, I'm just not interested

[TykeMerc]

£70k

But I don't want to go permie for the next 5 years

I am permie now, but looking forward to joining the dark side soon. My wage is OK but it fluctuates too much for more liking as it's linked with 'on-call' overtime.

I need a stable base...

KL

If you need a stable base then forget being a contractor, it's an inherently unstable lifestyle. Rates are far from fixed and always negotiated and when you're on the bench/holiday/sick (god forbid) you have no source of income.

One major reason clients have for employing contractors is the flexibility to get rid at short notice when projects get cancelled.

[synoniv]

Consider this case:

If you had a gig that paid £500 per day for 3 years, then
one would have atleast £300K sitting in the business reserve account.
I'm assuming the contractor paid himself a fair salary/dividend combination and live a moderate life style that pays off an ongoing mortgage.

With £300K investable cash asset, that would make a return of 5-6% totally risk free means you would make an additional £20-24K per year in the current economic climate.

With the above case in mind, In my view, there is nothing wrong taking up a permie job for as low as £45K pa (even in London) provided there is chance to bounce back to the contracting market when it gets buoyant. Your own hard work have got your salary to the much appreciable and desired £70K mark anyway !

So by all means, go for £50K - that is no less or no more!

[badger7579]

For politics, the best thing about contracting is being able to walk away and know you aren't going to have to stick something - but then again, if you are making decent money you want to keep good relationships.

I have very rarely encountered office politics and it has mainly when I have gone in as an outside consultant... and knowing I am going to be away pretty soon makes that a lot more bearable.

I think the really important thing is the change of scenery and not having to stick the same nonsense for too long.[/QUOTE]



Totaly agree and even if there is office politics its quite easy to bite your lip knowing you'll be out of there in a short space of time. I'm in the situation at the moment where the company is going through a big merger/change and the permies are soooooo down and P****** off, I'm just quite smug

[ddaft]

Around the 90k mark would give me a big decision to make but really depends on how the client treats their existing permies. If they are all miserable as sin working crazy hours then why join them!

[kanulondon]

If you need a stable base then forget being a contractor, it's an inherently unstable lifestyle. Rates are far from fixed and always negotiated and when you're on the bench/holiday/sick (god forbid) you have no source of income.

One major reason clients have for employing contractors is the flexibility to get rid at short notice when projects get cancelled.

True, however I just meant my permie salary is a mare. Its up and down and I am certain that I would reach my stable base (in my head anyway) from potentially a 6 month contract. It probably doesn't make sense, but it's how I am reasoning it in my head

Understand the instabilities of a contractor and wages, but the risk/reward is far greater.

I work in finance and I am one of those whose a slave to having to have the phone on always....throw in a crackberry as well. They have me under lock and key

phuck that!

[oxtailsoup]

I'm getting £575 per day plus all expenses. I work from home 80% of the time with the remaining 20% on site at various sites (mainly London).

I'm currently in talks to go permy and the package would be £65-70k basic plus 15% guaranteed bonus
exec car allowance (approx £500pm)
pension (not sure how much)
free shares (ditto)
performance bonus (approx 6% of basic)
6 weeks holidays

And a guarantee that my role won't change... i.e. I would still be working from home.

The reason I'm considering the move is because the client is fantastic and I love what I do and the flexibility I have. It's great bunch of people and a great company all round really. Been contracting a long time and this is the only client in all that time where I have actually thought "i'd like to work here".

Not sure if it will happen yet as we are both in talks about it.