Reply to: BT cutting contractor rates now....

[Sausage Surprise]

BT did similar stunts after the tech boom ended and ended bring more of their Indian IT contractors to save money. It's another nail in the coffin of UK based IT staff at BT.

30 of us (proper contractors) were hired in 2007 because they couldn't do the job. We are now down to the last 4 but they still insist on pushing work to the sub continent. Testing has now become their lowest of the low priorities - the end product will be tulip and the customer will not pay..... the bean counters are not interested and are only looking at short term "wins".

[Green Mango]

BT did similar stunts after the tech boom ended and ended bring more of their Indian IT contractors to save money. It's another nail in the coffin of UK based IT staff at BT.

[chris79]

The contractor rate cuts are forecast to save BT £9million this year.....

Maybe in staff costs, but will probably cost them 18million due to corner cutting, staff morale, less service capability, and a drop in customer satisfaction. They probably just got rid of the 'core' capability of their service through the loss of highly skilled contractors.

If it was all so simple every company would just kill off staff willy nilly.

[Wonderstuff]

The contractor rate cuts are forecast to save BT £9million this year.....

[garyphipps]

Ive quit on principle, I have not had a rate raise since i started 2 and half years ago. Now they want to take 12.5%. They are taking the piss.

I am scared i might not get another job. But at least ill keep my pride.

The permies get paid more than we do.

To be honest bjj1971, I think you are MAD!
Whilst I understand that you have principles, do you not also have outgoings?
Other than an emergency role I am finishing today which has been a welcome 12 days work, I have not worked since before Christmas - when my contract was terminated as their budgets were pulled. I would of gladly taken a 20% cut over nothing for 3 months!!

[BoredBloke]

Ive quit on principle, I have not had a rate raise since i started 2 and half years ago. Now they want to take 12.5%. They are taking the piss.

I am scared i might not get another job. But at least ill keep my pride.

The permies get paid more than we do.

I'd have taken the hit but used the lower BT rate to fund my job search. Getting 87.5% of the old rate is better than nothing. When I was there, none of us were offered a lower rate. I know that nobody except me has found another role yet, although it's only been about 3 weeks. A large chunk of our office in Leeds was let go on the same day.

[pmeswani]

Ive quit on principle, I have not had a rate raise since i started 2 and half years ago. Now they want to take 12.5%. They are taking the piss.

I am scared i might not get another job. But at least ill keep my pride.

The permies get paid more than we do.

You should have taken the pay cut and told the client that you will be providing 12.5% reduction in work. If they are not happy with that, they are more than welcome to terminate the contract.

[Fred Bloggs]

That's very bad news. Sympathies. If it happens here, I'll have to take the cut and sit here with renewed effort towards finding a new job. At the moment I think I'm OK till June. Mrs Bloggs would go ape if I just quit!

[bjj1971]

BT cutting contractor rates now....

Ive quit on principle, I have not had a rate raise since i started 2 and half years ago. Now they want to take 12.5%. They are taking the piss.

I am scared i might not get another job. But at least ill keep my pride.

The permies get paid more than we do.

[Mr_Z]

Anyone prepared to call BT's bluff, refuse the rate chop and risk the layoff?
Presumably 90% of people affected in current climate will lie down and accept it, so they may let those that make a stand get away with it. Presumably if you are still there by now, it must mean they need you because BT have been laying off left right and centre. Risky strategy though!

[Sausage Surprise]

No, there does seem to be stuff around, just guess it depends on what field. Don't smoke. Plenty of commitments. Saving for a rainy day helps, but I guess that's what's called being in it for the long game.

Oh to be as smug as you....

[minestrone]

Friend got bumped from BT recently, all contracts ended in his bit.

[Flashman]

Off topic but I`ve heard HP contractors have to take a 10% cut and HP permies a voluntary 5% cut. But 30% - yikes!

Tis true, at least for EDS

Agent called today. -10% cut on renewal.

Also 'strongly requested' by client to take a week off (un-invoiced) in April.


Happy Frickin Days

[HappyOnHoliday]

Eh? Are you some BT Senior Manager with some hidden agenda? BT in Leeds (NHS) have paid massive rates since 2004 as well as BT in Lytham & Blackpool. EDS lost loads of permie staff to BT who were paying well over the odds when all the staff did was move next door.

In the contract market, not permie, and no hidden agenda. Certainly not paying over the odds from where I'm sat. Which is possibly why I see other work around at similar rates to pre/cut rates. Cuts would bring rates to below those being offered elsewhere.

Your second statement is just utter bollocks. I am guessing you are a youngish single bloke, no commitments, have a large warchest and a **** all mortgage that you share with some bird (or partner) that enables you to sit smoking funny fags for the next 6 months with no worries.

No, there does seem to be stuff around, just guess it depends on what field. Don't smoke. Plenty of commitments. Saving for a rainy day helps, but I guess that's what's called being in it for the long game.

[Sausage Surprise]

Fair enough, but in many areas BT have managed their rates very tightly over the past few years and have never had a reputation as a big payer, i.e. already toward the lower end. Guess it is their prerogative in any case, just think it to be fairly sharp practice to enter a contract one week only to try and move the rate down the next, why not agree a shorter term if their is uncertainty of affordability.

IN any case, have looked on jobserve and spoke with a few contacts, seems to be a fair bit around paying pretty ok money. Am not worried at all.

Eh? Are you some BT Senior Manager with some hidden agenda? BT in Leeds (NHS) have paid massive rates since 2004 as well as BT in Lytham & Blackpool. EDS lost loads of permie staff to BT who were paying well over the odds when all the staff did was move next door.

Your second statement is just utter bollocks. I am guessing you are a youngish single bloke, no commitments, have a large warchest and a **** all mortgage that you share with some bird (or partner) that enables you to sit smoking funny fags for the next 6 months with no worries.