Reply to: Struggling to find contract after mat leave

[simplicity]

But as contractors we are supposed to the flexible ones, this is why we demand high rates. If you want to be inflexible, and expect the client to accommodate you rather than you accommodate them then you should seriously think about going back to permie.

I dont know what you do specifically, but what if something you are working on fails at 4:20pm and it must be fixed asap. Does the business have to take that risk (or cost implication) that you walk out as little Timmy needs picking up?

Every client is different so parents shouldn't be put off. A few years back I started my first contract (1 year gig) and found out after 4 weeks that I was pregnant! I hid it for a couple months but then had to tell them as my morning sickness was so bad. Anyway they liked me so much that they asked me to come back after the baby for another year!!

After that contract I managed to get another one which allowed me to work from home one day a week and then after that I got a contract that allowed me 2 days from home with yet another client!!

This current role is the first where I have worked a 5 day week in about 3 years but if I need to go to an appointment with the kids or attend sports day or the nativity play I am sure as hell going to go!! After all if I am not there they dont pay me. I am never behind on my work and take it very seriously but sometime s**t happens and may kids have to come first.

Both of mine attended nursery from the age of 6 months and it was hard at the time but now I have worked my way up and can afford to treat them to nice holidays and a lovely home. I have instilled a positive work ethic in them and they are so proud of me. They often boast about their mummy and where she works. I make sure I try to do the school run at least once a week so that I get to know the faces of their friends etc and I never miss a parents evening. Its hard juggling but working part time on the check out at Tesco was not the reason I went to university and worked my socks off!!

[wim121]

Companies tend to know if they try pushing a contractor/temp to hard they may just walk.....

I see your point. The good companies will try to hold on to skilled people, whether they are contractors or not.

Sadly, Ive worked in too many places that expect you to do the work of two people, since they are paying equivalent rates and treat you as a disposable commodity because you dont have the rights of a permie.

[SueEllen]

Since this quote was indirectly dug up, I wanted to state agreement to this.

As contractors, it is a flexible arrangement sometimes in our work hours, locations, assignments and work times, or sometimes all of the above.

If you cant be flexible, sometimes at a moments notice, then contracting isnt the right field for that person.

You know my permie employers required more flexibility than any of the contracts I have had.

Companies tend to know if they try pushing a contractor/temp to hard they may just walk.....

[theredore]

Jobs out there but there is a demand.

Hi - I'm just wondering if anyone else on here has struggled to find a contract after a year on mat leave - I'm assuming there's other females on here :-)

I've been contracting for 6 years in the testing field and perm for 6 years before that. Worked solidly the year before last to build up funds so i could have a year off with LO but now said funds have run out and I really need to get back to work soon.

Just wondered if anyone else has found it harder to get work after being off on mat leave? as i've been looking now for a few weeks and always explain why i've been off for the past year to agents - but although i've been put forward for a few places and even had one or two interviews - no luck in landing a role so far.
I've been told that having a baby might put employers off, so I'm wondering if it's that or just a January slump.

You have not .anything wrong and having a baby should not put off employers. What is happening at the moment is that there are lots of IT people being laid off so although there are jobs out there, there are many people applying to the same job. Unfortunately some people are just better at selling themselves so even though there is someone else better for the job, they are good at convincing the hiring manager. You could read more interviewing books to improve your selling points. One last note, it all comes down to luck too and if the person who you may be working for likes you . Keep going and best of luck!

[northernladuk]

FTFY. However, I don't disagree with you about having a full-time parent. Probably the first time we ever agreed...

and

since I am no bloody good at anything else

so that is twice in one post!

[d000hg]

I am of the firm belief, that a family unit, should have a stay at home parent to tend to the children and breadwinner. That is how you should raise a child. And before you ask, we have discussed this before and since I am no bloody good at anything else, I am the obvious stay at home choice.

FTFY. However, I don't disagree with you about having a full-time parent. Probably the first time we ever agreed...

[wim121]

But as contractors we are supposed to the flexible ones, this is why we demand high rates. If you want to be inflexible, and expect the client to accommodate you rather than you accommodate them then you should seriously think about going back to permie.

Since this quote was indirectly dug up, I wanted to state agreement to this.

As contractors, it is a flexible arrangement sometimes in our work hours, locations, assignments and work times, or sometimes all of the above.

If you cant be flexible, sometimes at a moments notice, then contracting isnt the right field for that person.

The civil service however is good for permies, who dont ever want to do much work, choose their hours or abscond from work completely whenever they like and then bleat about diminished wages or benefits which affect everyone in the workplace and rather than work harder like everyone in the private sector, stand outside striking. There isnt much difference between that and when they work though, as most go for a smoke every hour, smoking for 5mins but spending 10mins walking each way and getting a cup of coffee when they get back in. All in all, on a 5hr work day, a civil servant when they are working hard, will work for 2.5hrs.

[wim121]

He plans on having his wife/partner do all the childcare.

Then he will be back here a few years later wondering why he's going through a divorce.

And what is so wrong with that and why is that grounds for a divorce?

Quite a sweet life, to be supported and kept in luxury by a generous partner and be able to screw that out of them should you ever split up. That isnt so much a defamation on women (although there are some that know how the system works and abuse it), but a statement on the system itself.

Have you ever considered your post sounds extremely sexist, or do you just get away with that all the time because society gives females a free pass to be as sexist as they like?


I am of the firm belief, that a family unit, should have a stay at home parent to tend to the children and breadwinner. That is how you should raise a child. And before you ask, we have discussed this before and since I possess better homemaker skills, I am the obvious stay at home choice.

That wouldnt give me any ground to get a divorce at all. In an adult relationship, both partners make a mutual decision to enter parenthood. If one doesnt want to care for a child, what the hell is one doing, becoming a parent in the first place?

[SueEllen]

Do you plan to have children in future? Do you plan to send them to a nursery 8am to 6pm and later to 'alternative arrangements' to make sure you 'accommodate' your clients? Priorities!!!

He plans on having his wife/partner do all the childcare.

Then he will be back here a few years later wondering why he's going through a divorce.

Though if he has kids with someone who does clinical work in the NHS he will be in for a shock....

[Pogle]

I am not in production support. That type of 24/7 jobs don't suit me. I am a domain consultant and a business analyst. Yes little timmy needs to be picked up on time - every single day. Why should I go back to being a permie? I think ppl like you should consider that - your attitude is perfect for being a cribbing manager working for an Indian IT firm constantly trying to turn people into machines...

To clarify, there were occasions when things HAD to be done that day ...my husband did the picking up to let me finish the task....but I don't accommodate such after 430 requests until absolutely necessary.

You know what, I am not sure how many can make it work doing 8am to 430pm... But I am going to make it work. I m VERY good at what I do... Its just a matter of time...I am only 2 contracts old....I will struggle initially to find contracts....but when I do, I work hard...my clients will want me back...and THAT will help me .

And ppl like you are always there...trying to bring others down pointing to their circumstances....

Do you plan to have children in future? Do you plan to send them to a nursery 8am to 6pm and later to 'alternative arrangements' to make sure you 'accommodate' your clients? Priorities!!!

I like you - you sound like me

[TheFaQQer]

If you are going to lie and say there was an NDA in place when there wasn't one, why not say something else that's more likely to get you the role?

The answer I gave earlier wasn't a lie. I don't think lying to get a role is a good idea, as you will get found out.

[Freamon]

Well, I've worked for public sector organisations that I can't discuss. I've worked for private sector companies where there was an NDA in place where I couldn't discuss where I was working, and only discuss the work in the right way.

If a company puts a restrictive NDA in place, then you can't do anything about it, so I think it's a perfectly viable response.

If you are going to lie and say there was an NDA in place when there wasn't one, why not say something else that's more likely to get you the role?

[TheFaQQer]

How viable, in the real world, is such a response?

Well, I've worked for public sector organisations that I can't discuss. I've worked for private sector companies where there was an NDA in place where I couldn't discuss where I was working, and only discuss the work in the right way.

If a company puts a restrictive NDA in place, then you can't do anything about it, so I think it's a perfectly viable response.

[Clippy]

You don't have a gap on your CV.

For the past six months, you've been working for a small independent consultancy. Unfortunately, you are under a non-disclosure agreement, so can't go into any detail about who they are or what they do.

Problem solved.

How viable, in the real world, is such a response?

[JamJam]

<admin note>I have now enabled PM use on your account</admin note>

thanks