First Perm Role

[back2back]

Have been a contractor for the past 6 years pretty much working back 2 back on contracts with anything from 3 months to 18 months lenght. Picked up some great experience, good rates, saved most of it, even managed to get some training from a bank....

Last year, with news of the recession looming, i was contacted about a PERM job locally, within 20mins from my house - it was 6 months probation, for £35k + 15% bonus and benefits, - after 2 interviews i took the role.

12 months later, im still sat here, still on probation because the employer has come up with some crappy excuse that theres a hire freeze on, and been told im getting no pay increase, no bonus - basically nothing.

As a result i have handed in my notice and am on the verge of accepting another PERM job starting at £40k + bonus + benefits.

HOWEVER - in the back of my mind, im thinking shall i just bog off for a month - referesh myself from this permie land rubbish and come back in MAY seeking a contract.....

What are your thoughts, how is it out there? Would you play safe for another PERM job or throw caution to the wind and go for a contract in MAY.

Hope this isnt boring anyone.

Ta

b2b

[chris79]

Stay in work and don't burn bridges (even though it's tempting) is my advice. On the contracting side there's more on the bench in here than ever before I think.. now is not a good time to be contracting. £40k/year sounds ideal if you have that offer on the table. Good luck.

[back2back]

stay in work..

thanks for the reply...but is it really that bad out there, im getting the wrong impression i think....

Todate during the past month i have had 3 interviews for further work...

1st. contract £250 p/day - i turned down cause i couldnt get out of notice.
2nd. permie £40k didnt get the job.
3rd. permie £40k offer on table.

2 out of 3 aint bad - and i got a phone call about another job this morning which included a company car but crap basic salary?

Is it REALLY that bad out there? Is it just that the BIG money contracts are no there, personally i dont mind contracting on min £200 - £300 p/day im more than happy wasting my time sat in an office doing nothing all day for that?

[MPwannadecentincome]

Take the new job at £40K until the market improves.

[Fred Bloggs]

Try to get a sick note for a month first, (I fell off the ladder while decorating doctor, honest, me back really hurts etc...) presuming your job pays sick pay. In that month, try to get yourself fixed up with a better job and try to relax a bit. It appears you basically owe them nothing so try to take advantage a little. HTH.

[TykeMerc]

How long was the notice period stated during your "probation" period, I've not had a perm role in almost 2 decades, but it typically used to be rather short? If the supposed probation is still running (according to your employer) then you could exercise that short notice clause.

To be honest there's precious little stopping you from just packing your desk the day your next pay clears and not setting foot back in the place. Alternatively you can talk to the doctor, describe the working conditions and get signed off with "stress" for the next 3 months, that's a very easy scam to pull I believe.

[MPwannadecentincome]

How long was the notice period stated during your "probation" period, I've not had a perm role in almost 2 decades, but it typically used to be rather short? If the supposed probation is still running (according to your employer) then you could exercise that short notice clause.

To be honest there's precious little stopping you from just packing your desk the day your next pay clears and not setting foot back in the place. Alternatively you can talk to the doctor, describe the working conditions and get signed off with "stress" for the next 3 months, that's a very easy scam to pull I believe.

Probation period notice periods are often just 1 or 2 weeks.

Re getting signed off for stress, if you do this and you suffer from stress later for real and need to make an insurance claim for a related condition then the insurance company probably won't pay out - eg. overseas travel insurance!

[kaiser78]

I'm in the same position - currently 12 months into a PM contract (£500/day) and am in until July on contract. I have been offered to take the same role permie, paying £late 40s + blue chip bens (central London).

Am very tempted to go permie given today's conditions but something is telling me to stay on contract, partly because I think I will secure a next contract as a when and also my boss is a k*ob who I would not want to work for permanent (he told me this week that I am not doing enough hours (9.00-20.00) today and yesterday for example).

Go permie or stay contract ?

[Turion]

I'm in the same position - currently 12 months into a PM contract. My boss is a k*ob who I would not want to work for permanent (he told me this week that I am not doing enough hours (9.00-20.00) today and yesterday for example).

Go permie or stay contract ?

None of the above. This is preferable

[swamp]

1st. contract £250 p/day - i turned down cause i couldnt get out of notice.

Slavery has been abolished. You can walk out of any* job.






* apart from the Army etc.