Which is better?

[Francko]

A permie job paying 45k + banking benefits or a contract paying £30/hour?


PS What are banking benefits usually?

The contract pays even less than the permie money.

Not really much of a choice really. Some people might argue about a lifestyle decision. Right. But it must have a price, shouldn't be done for free.

If you are a contractor and end up in a long term accident they can get rid of you very quickly. Be permanent and if they get rid of you because of that, you can get loads of cash in compensation.

[wendigo100]

PS What are banking benefits usually?

Good pension, insurance - pretty good.

[arthur_cider]

I've been a Lotus Notes/Domino 2nd/3rd line contractor since my last permie (9 years ago) and still enjoy the role and also still averaging £30 p/h to this day

Many have commented that it should have died years ago, but some of the big blues are still using it, and even migrating to it. GSK, BAA, Ernst & Young, IBM, Royal & Sun Alliance for instance, all of which I have had contracts with and has nicely kept the home fires burning!

Cheers Lotus/IBM, just give me one more year

[Rantor]

i wont be getting away from Notes. Its a 3rd line Notes support role for an investment bank.

Don' worry - the opportunity to jump ship will be there if you want it enough

[al_cam]

It depends on so much that it is a difficult question to answer but purely on a financial basis, even taking into account permie financial perks such as employers pension contributions, and assuming similar time off contracting/permie holidays the contract is better, but not by that much.

If you value non-financial permie benefits such as continuity of earning and the possibility of flexible working then take the permanent job.

All things being equal, I would take the permie job, but it depends on your personal circumstances - if you've no family to support and fancy the variety, opportunity, lack of politics etc that contracting brings, then go for the contract.

[Swiss Tony]

A permie job paying 45k + banking benefits or a contract paying £30/hour?


PS What are banking benefits usually?

Do you see yourself retiring at this company? If so benefits count. Otherwise keep in mind that all you’re doing is renting them during the period you are with them. What have you done of your own back to ensure you can retire? Are you financially secure in the event of mishap etc.

When (if) you move to another company the benefits may be different or non existent. And they will cost a bugger load more as well if you need to do it yourself. If you go into contracting again you will need to set it up again.

Best you keep your ‘benefits’ handled by you and then look at the opportunity.

Oh and by the by if you were with the company for 40 years you would only usually get 2/3 finial salary equivalent in a pension. You would still need to make it up.

Look at the cash in hand, the additional (?) skills you would be getting, and career progression. Oh and office politics, distance from home, lifestyle also count.

[TheFaQQer]

A permie job paying 45k + banking benefits or a contract paying £30/hour?


PS What are banking benefits usually?

Permie job.

[notescontractor]

i wont be getting away from Notes. Its a 3rd line Notes support role for an investment bank.

[Rantor]

I see you're involved with Lotus Notes. In which case I'm not going to answer the question. Nothing personal, just that that software should have died a horrible death a long time ago...

I was a notes bod (guru level sad to say) in the mid-late nineties and it was a fantastic platform until it was left to rot post-IBM purchase. Oh, the interweb dodn't help its chances much either!

I bounced into Siebel thinking it would be gone in a year and it would be back to Notes before the next version - dead wrong but the biggest stroke of luck I ever had

NotesContractor - 45k for the oportunity to get away from Notes seems a good deal to me

[daviejones]

I see you're involved with Lotus Notes. In which case I'm not going to answer the question. Nothing personal, just that that software should have died a horrible death a long time ago...

It has some good points but overall, yeah it should have died!!! I do remember using Lotus Organiser though and quite liked that but it was a long time ago.

[Troll]

PS What are banking benefits usually?

Not usually worth it now a days HTH

[Cowboy Bob]

I see you're involved with Lotus Notes. In which case I'm not going to answer the question. Nothing personal, just that that software should have died a horrible death a long time ago...

[notescontractor]

A permie job paying 45k + banking benefits or a contract paying £30/hour?


PS What are banking benefits usually?