You know you like your gig when..

[NickFitz]

Sounds very much like employment to me - do they invite all their suppliers, or just the IR35 caught ones?

Oh, I'm slap bang in the middle of IR35. They sought me out personally because of my expertise; I told them I didn't want a perm job so they took me on as a contractor. I don't know what the situation is with the other contractors (who are legion in all roles, many from the States).

If, for example, I tried to suggest right of substitution, they'd just laugh. Most of the people who could do the work at the required level already work there anyway. If I found somebody who could substitute for me, they'd hire them to work there as well as, not instead of, me.

Furthermore I haven't been hired for any specific project, but work as directed. Once the project I'm currently on no longer needs me, I'll be moved over to another project, or maybe go into maintenance mode for a while.

I don't know what they pay their permies but I doubt I'm costing much more than them. The main advantage I have over being a permie is flexibility over time off (not that I ever take any). Most importantly, I can ignore all the internal politics and just do what I enjoy: coding

(In fact this month I didn't bother going to the picnic as work seemed more interesting than lying about in the sun.)

[TheFaQQer]

Add to this the monthly event when we abandon the office for the afternoon to have a company-supplied picnic with free beer and wine, which my report-to guy confirmed is billable time, and I have to say that despite the travelling, I can't wait to renew in December

Sounds very much like employment to me - do they invite all their suppliers, or just the IR35 caught ones?

[NickFitz]

OK lets amend the first reason:

1- You can clear off to home by 4pm EVERY day, and you are home by 4:45

I wouldn't mind that if I had a home to go to, but I only have a hotel. Therefore I tend to:

1. Arrive 3 - 4pm on Monday, having spent the morning sorting stuff out at home and avoided the busiest time on the motorway;
2. Work 9:30 - 20:30 from Tuesday to Thursday (with an hour for lunch), then go down the pub;
3. Leave at 13:00 on Friday, again avoiding the motorway crush and having plenty of time to chill out in preparation for the weekend.

Add to this the monthly event when we abandon the office for the afternoon to have a company-supplied picnic with free beer and wine, which my report-to guy confirmed is billable time, and I have to say that despite the travelling, I can't wait to renew in December

(BTW, this is also the gig where, dealing directly with the client rather than through an agency, I discovered on receiving the contract that they were paying me more than I'd asked for. The manager's explanation: "I've found that if you give people more money than they ask for, they tend to want to stick around." )

[Stan]

What time do you get in?

[SandyDown]

I'm out of the office by 2 on a Friday, to start my journey home. I have no idea what time anyone else goes.

OK lets amend the first reason:

1- You can clear off to home by 4pm EVERY day, and you are home by 4:45

[TheFaQQer]

1- See everyone clearing off home by 4pm

I'm out of the office by 2 on a Friday, to start my journey home. I have no idea what time anyone else goes.

[NotAllThere]

1- See everyone clearing off home by 4pm

Nah. I left at 3:30 last Friday. So I didn't see them.

[lilelvis2000]

You don't have the crap commute I have. I scream everyday wishing it to end...and it will at the end of November.

[snaw]

Who's this bloke called "Friday Morning" then?

[BoredBloke]

"2- Friday morning comes and you don't have the impulse to go down on your knees"

Is that what you have to do to get your timesheet signed?

[SandyDown]

1- See everyone clearing off home by 4pm
2- Friday morning comes and you don't have the impulse to go down on your knees, tears on your eyes shouting "TGI Friday"