That awkward rate moment when..........

[SimonMac]

What's your rate?

Higher than my last, hopefully lower than my next!

[Freamon]

There can be all manner of reasons why rates for what is supposedly the "same role" may differ. The person in question may have some additional domain experience (or lack thereof), or may have worked with the PM in the past (possibly when they were both at a different client). In my experience it's pretty rare to have a bunch of CVs all of whom are willing to come on board at exactly the same rate - it's usually a choice between someone more experienced at a slightly higher rate (which may be less risky) or someone cheaper but who fits the role slightly less well. This is especially the case when you're looking for specialist skills.

[DodgyAgent]

Why does'nt the client instead of rounding all the rates up to the highest do the reverse and round them down to £280 per day?

[MarillionFan]

Why does'nt the client instead of rounding all the rates up to the highest do the reverse and round them down to £280 per day?

[ChimpMaster]

£25 a day more than yours for the same job.

Marginally it becomes meaningless when you earn as much as we do

[Spacecadet]

If you don't know, you don't know.

WHS

I found the first couple of contracts a right bugger to land, agents seemed to think I would turn permie at the first offer. Ended up taking lower paid contracts to get my foot on the ladder

[DodgyAgent]

There can be all manner of reasons why rates for what is supposedly the "same role" may differ. The person in question may have some additional domain experience (or lack thereof), or may have worked with the PM in the past (possibly when they were both at a different client). In my experience it's pretty rare to have a bunch of CVs all of whom are willing to come on board at exactly the same rate - it's usually a choice between someone more experienced at a slightly higher rate (which may be less risky) or someone cheaper but who fits the role slightly less well. This is especially the case when you're looking for specialist skills.

Not everyone is the same, and circumstances are very different for each contractor. Circumstances are constantly changing and rates should be free to reflect this. However £280 per day when everyone else is earning circa 3500???? Give that agent a prize!!

[MarillionFan]

WHS

I found the first couple of contracts a right bugger to land, agents seemed to think I would turn permie at the first offer. Ended up taking lower paid contracts to get my foot on the ladder

Better to be in a contract than on the bench.

[BoredBloke]

.......someone realises they are on substantially less than everyone.

During the quiet Xmas time, the contractors around us got chatting about our rates. Now in our team, we all work generally the same role, similar experience and apart from one person, generally work 8.30 till 5.30 (project depending). So we go around the table, and rates come out £500, £475, £525 etc. Then we get to the person who works long hours most days. Looking somewhat crestfallen, they said they were only on £280 PD - apaprently it is there 2nd contract role after being permie for 25 years and thought £280 was good!

Be an interesting conversation with there manager in January!!

Happened to me and a guy I worked with. The agency we worked through billed a second agency who billed the end client - we took the jobs because there was not much about at the time only to find that the first agency were puling £100 a day out of each of us. I saw my contact through and left at the end of my allotted time - we only found this out because the agency at the end of the chain kept sending me 'my' agency invoice showing the true day rate. I won't ever work for them again. After I left this agency mistakenly paid £15k into my business account. I stuck it in my high interest account and made them jump through loads of hoops before I handed it back.

[SneakySimon]

Why on earth would you discuss your rate with other contractors?

We were discussing the 10 %pay cuts, this led onto old contracting rates – best and worst then we went on and discussed current. There are only 5 of us and we are all mature adults. We have been working together for a couple of years – obviously would not share with anyone!

I always have the opinion that pay info provides power to the employer. By learning of others pay, your removing that power and empowering yourself. Few years ago when I was a permie, some numpty left on the printer everyone in IT’s pay which highlighted some disparities between people as well as some odd anomalies in both directions – for example, of the 30 managers at my level, the pay range was £18,000 to £46,000 – some were on less than the people they were managing! Highlighted that ability and tenure were not the only criteria for good pay, also being friends with the right people helps!