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Previously on "Contracting at high rate for charity"

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  • fullyautomatix
    replied
    Originally posted by GillsMan View Post
    I've never been asked to lower my rate for any of the charities I've either contracted at or provided deliverables to. I knew someone who had a lengthy contract with a well-known charity. Not the greatest rate, but he did have whole swathes of time where he had no work. They just paid the money.

    That said, I'm yet to work with a charity that was even half-way organised. They seem to be full of people who couldn't even cut it in the public sector. Pay wise, they are fine though.
    Charities and Councils are just spending money which they did not have to earn. So yeah, they will spend it like there is no tomorrow paying the highest rates. Ironic really when it comes to charities, they are set up for a specific cause and should focus on spending on that cause.

    Leave a comment:


  • fullyautomatix
    replied
    Originally posted by Eirikur View Post
    Got this opportunity, 6 months initially, they are paying an above private sector average rate for my area of expertise, because it's urgent. How long until they ditch me or start begging me to accept a lower rate, it because it's too expensive for them?

    I'm close to declining the offer, but would like to see what others have experienced

    There must be a reason why charities offer above average rates. Let me think what it can be. I know, maybe its because all the contractors start thinking there must be something fishy with charity offering above average rate and so start declining, thus triggering a vicious cycle.

    Leave a comment:


  • garethevans1986
    replied
    I did a 3 month stint with a charity a few years ago, good fellas and really nice people to work with, all of the work was remote so didnt need to travel into their office etc, unfortunately their budget was tight so that put a limit on the amount of contract work I could do for them but they came back to me a few months later and still a customer today.

    GE

    Leave a comment:


  • Eirikur
    replied
    I now declined the offer, also for reasons NLUK gave, a charity just looks absolutely rubbish on your cv. They are in a constant mess, nothing seems to happen. All you achieve is deskill yourself.
    Accepted another contract with a large telco/ISP, bit lower rate but looks better on cv and more widely used technology.

    Leave a comment:


  • northernladuk
    replied
    Originally posted by youngguy View Post
    Could you elaborate a bit pls? Do they have a particular rep or way of working?

    I'm genuinely interested
    Different reasons I seem to remember. One took a low rate to get off the bench but he said it was a complete mess. Expect him to sort it all out. Just no support or structure many large companies had. JFDI on a shoestring type thing. Another had problems getting paid. Although they were all charities there were enough problem stories to switch me off.

    That said some people said PS is a nightmare and I've found it OK. Maybe just horses for courses.

    Leave a comment:


  • youngguy
    replied
    Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
    I don't even bother with charities whatever the rate. I know a few people that have tried them and not one of them has much good to say. Buggers your CV up as well IMO.

    I steer well clear personally.
    Could you elaborate a bit pls? Do they have a particular rep or way of working?

    I'm genuinely interested

    Leave a comment:


  • Snarf
    replied
    I don't see why there is an issue? Its above market rate but youre worried they will lower it in the future?

    Few options:

    1. Dont take it, wait and maybe find something else at market rate.
    2. Take it and fill your boots until they ask you to lower your rate, then lower your rate down to the market rate.
    3. Take it and fill your boots until they ask you to lower your rate, then say no, They will either keep you at your higher rate or end your contract.

    Of all three option 2 seems the best, you get the higher rate for as long as it lasts then IF they try to lower it at some point in the future and its still acceptable stay, youll still have had x months at a higher rate than if you didnt take it.

    Leave a comment:


  • MrMarkyMark
    replied
    Originally posted by Eirikur View Post
    I had a bad experience with a city council. 6 month contract ditched after 2 months, because someone was coming back from maternity leave at some point in the future. I'm afraid charities will be similar or worse.

    If most of us had the attitude that you are displaying with this, we would never work at all

    Honestly, you just cannot compare this sort of thing, people can have bad experiences on one contract with one company, then have another one, same company different team, where it can be quite good.

    Leave a comment:


  • LondonManc
    replied
    Originally posted by Eirikur View Post
    I had a bad experience with a city council. 6 month contract ditched after 2 months, because someone was coming back from maternity leave at some point in the future. I'm afraid charities will be similar or worse.
    Not that there's stories of other organisations cutting contractors at a moment's notice in any other sector, or anything like that.....

    Banking?

    Leave a comment:


  • northernladuk
    replied
    Originally posted by Eirikur View Post
    I had a bad experience with a city council. 6 month contract ditched after 2 months, because someone was coming back from maternity leave at some point in the future. I'm afraid charities will be similar or worse.
    What use is any of that????

    Leave a comment:


  • GillsMan
    replied
    I've never been asked to lower my rate for any of the charities I've either contracted at or provided deliverables to. I knew someone who had a lengthy contract with a well-known charity. Not the greatest rate, but he did have whole swathes of time where he had no work. They just paid the money.

    That said, I'm yet to work with a charity that was even half-way organised. They seem to be full of people who couldn't even cut it in the public sector. Pay wise, they are fine though.

    Leave a comment:


  • Eirikur
    replied
    Originally posted by oracleslave View Post
    My highest every rate was 9 months for a charity. I left once I'd had enough.

    You're asking for answers to potenital future behaviour of a client about which we know nothing I assume in order to obtain some peace of mind about YOUR decision. Really?

    Turning down a well paid gig on the off chance they might lower the rate at some unknown point in the future sounds like rank stupidity to me
    I had a bad experience with a city council. 6 month contract ditched after 2 months, because someone was coming back from maternity leave at some point in the future. I'm afraid charities will be similar or worse.

    Leave a comment:


  • oracleslave
    replied
    My highest every rate was 9 months for a charity. I left once I'd had enough.

    You're asking for answers to potenital future behaviour of a client about which we know nothing I assume in order to obtain some peace of mind about YOUR decision. Really?

    Turning down a well paid gig on the off chance they might lower the rate at some unknown point in the future sounds like rank stupidity to me

    Leave a comment:


  • northernladuk
    replied
    I don't even bother with charities whatever the rate. I know a few people that have tried them and not one of them has much good to say. Buggers your CV up as well IMO.

    I steer well clear personally.

    Leave a comment:


  • Eirikur
    started a topic Contracting at high rate for charity

    Contracting at high rate for charity

    Got this opportunity, 6 months initially, they are paying an above private sector average rate for my area of expertise, because it's urgent. How long until they ditch me or start begging me to accept a lower rate, it because it's too expensive for them?

    I'm close to declining the offer, but would like to see what others have experienced

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