How Contracting Has Changed

[quackhandle]

First post in almost seven and half years.

These issues have been building up, maybe it was cathartic to type it all out.

qh

[Snooky]

Can someone translate this in to a few sentences using words no longer than 6 letters please?

Why use many word when few do job?

[vetran]

few do job?

Don't be mean about NLUK

[willendure]

Can someone translate this in to a few sentences using words no longer than 6 letters please?

Here’s the summary that ChatGPT gave me. It is not very good at counting the number of letters in a word is it?

The user shares their ups and downs as a contractor. They started in the late 2000s with low pay and moved to a permanent job, which became overwhelming. Returning to contracting brought success during the Lib Dem coalition but later struggles due to IR35 rules. Post-pandemic work briefly thrived but slowed again with long gaps and low rates. Frustrated with current conditions, they consider early retirement, supported by property investments and a small pension.

[Ketto]

If you’re struggling to get outside IR35 and retirement is a realistic option, why not take some inside IR35 and plough it into pension for a few years? Retirement could be quite a bit cushier.

[TwoWolves]

Thankfully it's not finished, but hopefully it will get better if we are given a chance rather than tax dodging doom-mongers talking it down all the time. Most of the media is owned by non-doms and foreign businesses and need to increase the profits for their shareholders, so they rely on doom scrolling.

Your explanation sounds much like it was written by Whitehall/Labour central office, unfortunately, it is the cost of government that is central to our problems. The key indicator is GDP per capita; this has been flatlined since 2008 coupled with a steady climb in liabilities. On the current trajectory, we are heading towards a fiscal crisis and likely state default. We cannot tax our way to prosperity, as Rachael from customer complaints has succinctly demonstrated.

[Smartie]

If you’re struggling to get outside IR35 and retirement is a realistic option, why not take some inside IR35 and plough it into pension for a few years? Retirement could be quite a bit cushier.

74% effective take home? Yes please.

[unixman]

An amusing read, with ups and downs that sound familiar.

[sadkingbilly]

An amusing read, with ups and downs that sound familiar.

quite.

[MarillionFan]

AI long bulletin.

• Early Contracting & Permie Mistake – Started contracting in the late 2000s, took a perm job thinking it’d be career progression, but ended up overworked and undervalued. Quit after being overloaded with impossible deadlines.
• Golden Contracting Years (2010-2015) – Thrived during the Lib Dem coalition, easily moving between contracts with no gaps.
• IR35 & Post-Pandemic Hustle – IR35 crackdown made contracting harder, but managed to stay outside IR35 until 2020. Got furloughed during the pandemic, then enjoyed a brief boom from 2021, even working two remote contracts simultaneously.
• Current Market Struggles – Last two years have been tough, with long gaps between short contracts. Rates have dropped, fake job ads are rampant, and agencies are condescending about employment gaps.
• Considering Early Retirement – Frustrated with the current contract, clueless management, and the overall state of the market. Weighing the option of retiring early, thanks to good property investments and a small pension.