Are dayrates suddenly taking a dive?

[SGD]

Mandatory holidays? Do they actually call it that? Is it written into the contract like that?

Not in the contract at all. Client comes along and says that all (or some) contractors have to take 10 days before year end (or other date) or you are on notice to have your contract terminated.

Rock and hard place scenario, usually associated with some duffwit's poor budgetary planning and a need to chop a few hundred grand from the costings with (theoretical) minimal impact (as some essential can be excused).

Just think about it. If you have a blended rate around £750 and 100 contractors then you pull back 100 * £750 * 10 = £750,000 in a single move. From a pure numbers play, it is about the singular most effective tool to recover costs and can be an alternative to a X% rate cut, which yields more but takes a longer time.

All are public relations disasters but becoming a way of life. 10 plus years ago we'd have nigh on walked off site with a client playing up that nonsense and gone to another gig.

[Scrag Meister]

Up to a month ago day rates for the type of contracts I'm doing were generally between £475 and 550, now I hardly see anything above £400 mostly around 350 and one agent even dared to call me for 250 per day

Are others seeing a similar trend?

Personally I wouldn't fret, the advertised rate for the type of work I do has dropped off by a lot in the ads, on the likes of Jobserve et al.

But I am happily on the most I have ever got, and that is 25% on the advertised/average rates.

I think the good roles are being promoted directly by the agents and don't se the light of day on the job boards.

[abbash]

Any more C++ contract positions available at your place?

I am in finance and C++, I got a rate rise this renewal.
However most jobs I get emails about seem to have very low rates.

Hi,

I have just finished a C++ developer contract and I am looking for another contract position.
Does the company you work for require any more C++ developers?

Regards

[MyUserName]

Hi,

I have just finished a C++ developer contract and I am looking for another contract position.
Does the company you work for require any more C++ developers?

Regards

Nah, unfortunately they only want perm devs now

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I am in finance and C++, I got a rate rise this renewal.
However most jobs I get emails about seem to have very low rates.

I am in a similar situation, I am on the highest rate I have ever been on by some margin + I managed an increase at renewal. extension is looking increasingly unlikely as I have single handedly squeezed every penny and some out of the budget for this project. unless another project comes along I will be the last contractor out of the door.

My constant worry now is how I am going to find another role at this rate or somewhere close to it. Gigs in Manchester are just not paying at the moment and I don't fancy a commute on the M62 so that is out of the question. I guess it is a decision between some bench time or taking a big hit on rate.

[BlasterBates]

The search results on Jobserve don't inspire me with confidence.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

The search results on Jobserve don't inspire me with confidence.

Exactly my feeling. I am surprised at this given the time of year... I am sure it will pick up again May/June time.

[BlueSharp]

Exactly my feeling. I am surprised at this given the time of year... I am sure it will pick up again May/June time.

This is the last friday of the easter holidays for schools and and I believe more people have this week off than any other except the christmas week.

Some companies move the good Friday bank holiday to the Tuesday of this week so only mess about with one short week, it's a no brainer to take another three days holiday then if you're a perm.

[kal]

This is the last friday of the easter holidays for schools and and I believe more people have this week off than any other except the christmas week.

Some companies move the good Friday bank holiday to the Tuesday of this week so only mess about with one short week, it's a no brainer to take another three days holiday then if you're a perm.

I have never heard of that before...

[kaiser78]

99% of the roles on jobserve are either a repeat of another role, CV harvesting, or just chaff.

I am pretty sure this statement is not true tbh - I always use Jobserve as my primary search site and have always managed to secure a role pretty easily. Or does it just mean that I am that good g ?