Poor rates and bench time

[Numpty]

this was asked in other threads - search for "abuse of ICT"

That search only returned your message! Until now .

[chris79]

Well second week on the bench and I'm enjoying it, reminds me about the good side of contracting - the ability to have time out when you like it!

In the space of a week I've ended up with a number of job leads (both perm & contract), one a 2nd stage interview for a perm job.. another at the place I last contracted at.. looks by the way things are going I'll most likely end up in a permie job. The location of where I live, competition for the few jobs on offer as well as the worsening rates are making contracting less and less lucrative/appealing right now. I'll probably do a bit consultancy on the side to earn a few extra pennies through my limited co. and just keep the money in the business account for a rainy day or to fund some ridiculous plan B further down the line.

[moony1234]

I'm on an SC government contract at the moment, nothing lucrative about it believe me.

WHS!

Quite the opposite of lucrative infact...

[AlfredJPruffock]

I'm on an SC government contract at the moment, nothing lucrative about it believe me.

My last client let me go because they couldn't afford to keep me, since then they've had 3 contractors on site and none of them have lasted more than a week due to the crap rate and ridiculous workload. The agent contacted me asking if I was interested in the role again on the reduced rate, it felt good to say no thanks.

Just waiting for them to realise their mistake and cave in.

Interesting comments - this is what can happen with the cheap and cheerful rate chaps - with this high turnover rate though I doubt the current agent is going to retain this client.

Everybody is a loser
.
But cheap mind.

[gingerjedi]

I'm using the bench time now to train a few certs I need, then I seriously think I'll end up back permie as much as I don't really want to, it just seems right now unless you land on a lucrative SC cleared .gov contract the agents and clients are just going to milk the situation and play everyone off against each other.. something I refuse to participate in unless my situation gets desperate.

I'm on an SC government contract at the moment, nothing lucrative about it believe me.

My last client let me go because they couldn't afford to keep me, since then they've had 3 contractors on site and none of them have lasted more than a week due to the crap rate and ridiculous workload. The agent contacted me asking if I was interested in the role again on the reduced rate, it felt good to say no thanks.

Just waiting for them to realise their mistake and cave in.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Why would an agent do this? Ain't nothin' init for him. The rate is low, but by no means exceptional. Would suit a wannabe PM who has just passed his Prince, shirley.

this was asked in other threads - search for "abuse of ICT"

[ddilling]

Well back on the bench with a nice war-chest to cover me intact.. had a bit of fun discussing some opportunities.. as much as the situation is bad I'm starting a campaign from my home-office to push back against this deflated market.

After discussing a very interesting and worthwhile 12 month role today we got to the "so what is your rate?".. to which I replied "I'm happy to go with the market rate, what do you have in mind?"... (always catches them on the hop)..

Anyway after politely stating I could not work away from home for £120 per day (what planet are these guys on) and laying down my minimum rate, I've been told my CV is still being put forward and that they hope to come back to me. I explained that they would be lucky to get someone (given the location) and would have to hope they were local to the client, as well as the fact nobody would give any sort of commitment to a full 12 month (this was key to the project) for that kind of rate.

If clients really think that specialists/experts are willing to 'contract' for permie wages but with none of the benefits, then it leaves me asking the question whether contracting (for myself) long-term is indeed a viable option.

I'm using the bench time now to train a few certs I need, then I seriously think I'll end up back permie as much as I don't really want to, it just seems right now unless you land on a lucrative SC cleared .gov contract the agents and clients are just going to milk the situation and play everyone off against each other.. something I refuse to participate in unless my situation gets desperate.

Doing pretty much the same as you.

I got offered a gig, 12 month contract at £200 a day, and turned it down. I just couldn't bring myself to do it - knowing how much they were taking the piss.

I can't imagine though that the contract market won't pick up - might be next year - but it'll happen.

[Turion]

just means they are going through the motions and an indian onshore will be doing the work.

Why would an agent do this? Ain't nothin' init for him. The rate is low, but by no means exceptional. Would suit a wannabe PM who has just passed his Prince, shirley.

[Liability]

just means they are going through the motions and an indian onshore will be doing the work.

Its in all our interests to destroy ourselves.

Or setup onshore call centres for outsources IT to India

[chris79]

Well back on the bench with a nice war-chest to cover me intact.. had a bit of fun discussing some opportunities.. as much as the situation is bad I'm starting a campaign from my home-office to push back against this deflated market.

After discussing a very interesting and worthwhile 12 month role today we got to the "so what is your rate?".. to which I replied "I'm happy to go with the market rate, what do you have in mind?"... (always catches them on the hop)..

Anyway after politely stating I could not work away from home for £120 per day (what planet are these guys on) and laying down my minimum rate, I've been told my CV is still being put forward and that they hope to come back to me. I explained that they would be lucky to get someone (given the location) and would have to hope they were local to the client, as well as the fact nobody would give any sort of commitment to a full 12 month (this was key to the project) for that kind of rate.

If clients really think that specialists/experts are willing to 'contract' for permie wages but with none of the benefits, then it leaves me asking the question whether contracting (for myself) long-term is indeed a viable option.

I'm using the bench time now to train a few certs I need, then I seriously think I'll end up back permie as much as I don't really want to, it just seems right now unless you land on a lucrative SC cleared .gov contract the agents and clients are just going to milk the situation and play everyone off against each other.. something I refuse to participate in unless my situation gets desperate.