Why do permies assume we are poor?

[MarillionFan]

Maybe it's the OP's attire?

[Pondlife]

I _NEVER_ discuss my rate with permies. I'm quite happy to let them bash the costs of big consultancies but on the few occasions that a permie has openly winged about the cost of externals I point out that their internal cross charge rates are the same, if not higher. They get a confused look on their face and the conversation ends. Many just don't understand what our rate covers.

If anyone ever references my personal rate I just say that this is what the company charge not what I get.

[minestrone]

I just smile when rate is discussed openly. Literally will not say a word if the conversation swings that way.

[russell]

I find the opposite, most permies think us contractors are overpaid, but I always play it down, like "My Aston? Yeah its 1 year old and not that comfortable anyway".

[Scoi]

All permies in my line of work know that contractors get paid well but thats off set with the odd stint on the bench and no holiday/sick pay etc. The car park doesn't seem to fit the mould here. Senior management have lots of German cars whereas contractors seem to make do with something a lot less desirable and blends in with the rest of the normal permies, i suppose topping up the war chest and sorting the mortgage out is priority for me and other contractors so i turn up in a £2k 10 year old car. Hourly rates are pretty easy to find so if they want to know ball park figures then it would take them a few minutes to find out, quite a bit of jelousy if anything, until they realise i can only do this by living away from home and not taking time off for a week in the sun 4 times a year.

[Bunk]

I find the opposite, most permies think us contractors are overpaid, but I always play it down, like "My Aston? Yeah its 1 year old and not that comfortable anyway".

WHS

I always hear comments about contractors being loaded, or if I mention how much time I like to take off people say "bloody hell, you must being getting paid too much".

Never had people I work with feeling sorry for me. I get that sometimes from friends or people outside of work who think anything other than a permie job is just temping, "Still temping? Oh well, I'm sure you'll get a proper job soon" or "Oh, is there no chance they'll offer you a permanent job?". I usually mutter under my breath that I bloody hope not.

Anyway, it doesn't even register on my list of things to concern myself with, and I recommend it doesnt for you either. Don't feel you need to point out how well off you are because nobody likes a twunt boasting about how much they make, it's a surefire way not to get asked back.

[doodab]

I trundle in each morning in my 9 year old Golf.

We should do an experiment to see if this scales linearly with the age of the car. Try turning up in a 50 year old Ferarri

[oscarose]

I just smile when rate is discussed openly. Literally will not say a word if the conversation swings that way.

If I can be bothered (rare), I'll give some waffle re: no security, you could jump ship and do it, no holidays, no benefits etc.

[curtis]

I get that sometimes from friends or people outside of work who think anything other than a permie job is just temping, "Still temping? Oh well, I'm sure you'll get a proper job soon" or "Oh, is there no chance they'll offer you a permanent job?"

I thought it was just me that gets this I'm glad to see it appears to be a general thing that other contractors get also.

It drives me nuts, I can let it go most of the time but when its family I always feel I have to justify how I work as no doubt they think I'm taking advantage of my partner who chooses to work full time permermant while I'm obviously in their eyes having a great time at home and temping now and then!

[Mich the Tester]

I've never come across this; I've seen the opposite several times, but I just don't talk about money with permies. On the rare occasion that some permie goes on about it and keeps asking about how much I earn I simply say 'enough; other than that it's none of your business'.