Reply to: "Fixed-term" vs casual contracting

[threaded]

To make themselves irreplaceable - but of course you knew that. Drugs, Sex and Software Architectures -- I feel a novel coming on.

I try and rise above it all and often position myself at the meta-architecture level.

[ratewhore]

Hmm, I'm doing a lot of "Front-end" stuff as well at the moment. Quite creative if I must say so myself as well...

Just asked because it seems a vague term, you can perhaps guess at what it means, but it's a bit like me saying that my main role is 'IT stuff', could mean anything which makes it difficult to judge if the first contract was simply a fluke or not (and could put a different light on things), or whether you're better off telling them to take a hike...

I met a 'new technology evangelist' once. At least, that was according to his business card. But then it was 2000 and things were very different then...

[Jabberwocky]

Oh, you ought to hear developers griping about architectures. Never seen a major project where there weren't at least three disparate architectures brought in all fighting for some use.

And why does everyone want to slip their favourite library into the build for cris'sake?

To make themselves irreplaceable - but of course you knew that. Drugs, Sex and Software Architectures -- I feel a novel coming on.

[Denny]

This post is boring, it's boring me. It's ended. Finish it.

Your boring me with your 'stop posting on this thread it's ended' messages.

Finish it.

[ChimpMaster]

This post is boring, it's boring me. It's ended. Finish it.

[threaded]

Oh, you ought to hear developers griping about architectures. Never seen a major project where there weren't at least three disparate architectures brought in all fighting for some use.

And why does everyone want to slip their favourite library into the build for cris'sake?

[tamper]

There certainly isn't nearly as much design/creative contract work as there is development, and often it isn't as well paid (which is a personal gripe, since I think it's just as skilled) and often isn't as long-term (contracts measured in weeks, rather than months).

Then there's also the fact that everyone's got a bloody opinion about one's design output, whereas my developer colleagues often have their 'black art' left well alone.

But don't get me started...!

[Joe Black]

Hmm, I'm doing a lot of "Front-end" stuff as well at the moment. Quite creative if I must say so myself as well...

Just asked because it seems a vague term, you can perhaps guess at what it means, but it's a bit like me saying that my main role is 'IT stuff', could mean anything which makes it difficult to judge if the first contract was simply a fluke or not (and could put a different light on things), or whether you're better off telling them to take a hike...

[Denny]

Hi all - my first post, so be gentle!

For the past 8 months I've been contracting for £475/day. Always a 2-month contract period, but extended 3 times.

Now I'm looking for the next thing, and an agent has just called with a 6-month "fixed-term" contract for a large ISP offering £42k pro-rata. When I said that this seemed to be considerably less than I was earning, the agent said "This is a fixed term contract and thus cannot be compared to a regular contract payable on a daily rate".

Which sounds like rubbish to me. Now you lot probably hold the same opinion of recruitment agents that I do, but that aside, are there any circumstances under which he could be right? I've read the arguments about 'contract hourly rate = permie salary in thousands', but even if that's true (hmmm...), I don't see that I'd accrue any useful benefits within 6 months!

What do you think? Has anyone been in this position?

Cheers,
tamper

The only time it would be worth considering a fixed term contract is if you are being offered an opportunity to train (at the company's expense) in something you would otherwise find difficult to move into. Otherwise, if you are planning on taking up a permie role but have an extensive history of contracting (which can be notoriously difficult to overcome from sceptical would be employers and recruiters). Or if you've got a huge gap in your CV that desparately needs plugging - and fast - just to tide you over until you can begin contracting again! Being fixed term under these circumstances is infinitely better than being out an out-of-work contractor and struggling to find work whilst meeting the mortgage and bills.

You would also be an employee of the company too and therefore paid PAYE (so full whack of tax too with no allowable dispensations). Therefore, I would not consider it if you are confident of getting other contracting work at the rates you've enjoyed in your last role.

[tamper]

And what perchance does a 'creative' do?

Heh. Front-end stuff really. I would say 'graphic design' but it's frequently more than that since these days eveyones expected to be a lip-service-only-don't-want-to-compromise-the-project usability expert.

Or a 'felt tip pen boy' as my developer colleagues used to refer to me

And it probably goes without saying, but I say 'creative' because that's the name of the general job function - I don't mean to suggest that development / network design / whatever isn't creative in its own way!

As for the 'fixed-term' contract thing, now that I think about it I have come across in public sector appointments - but usually it's 2 or 3 year fixed term, in which case the permy benefits make more sense. But in this case of a 6-monther, I agree with you lot and I'll pass it up.

t

[Joe Black]

Hope so. It's a bit tricky cos I'm not an IT developer. I'm a creative, and there aren't as many decently-paying gigs around for us lot!

And what perchance does a 'creative' do?

[zathras]

I've never heard of a so-called fixed term contract.

I have

and it usually is a byword for someone who wants a contractor but does not want to pay the 'premium' for a contractor.

Of course an employee costs far more on top of salary than a contractor ( consider SSP, SMP, Paid holidays, Pension Contributions ). That's because the contractor absorbs these into his or her rate. Take those into consideration and the premium for mid-low contracts is virtually non-existant. Nobody does it for the money.

Maybe they are hoping to avoid the costs of employment as well, hoping that giving it the name of contract means that the contractor will absorb those costs as well. Well tough! See that very short pier. Go and take an exceedingly long walk over it please.

[Fungus]

I've never heard of a so-called fixed term contract. All the contracts I've done have been for a fixed term of 3, 6 or 12 months which seems to be the norm. All the other contractors I've seen, with a few rare exceptions have been on the same scheme.

The only alternative that I've seen is a contract for a set price for a piece of work delivered with agreed functionality, and by an agreed date.

You say you are a creative type? Mmmm. Ever thought of being a job agent? I don't mean to be rude to you, but it requires considerable imagination to come up with the lies they do. To be fair I did once catch one telling the truth. I think he was tired. My experience is that agents have but a tenuous connection to reality, and that tends to revolve around their income and its maximisation.

[Torran]

Fix-term 'contracting': all the negatives of permanent work, without any of the benefits; all the disadvantages of proper contracting without the financial rewards. Don't be a fool.

to be fair most FTCs offer sick pay and paid holidays as well as a level of security i.e 30 day notice period as opposed to no notice period and have done for a few years now. You effectively become a permanent member of staff for a period of time.

but it is just a permy position, mostly used by people who are looking to go perm at the end of the contract.
I would expect the rate offered to be at least 25 - 30% higher than a perm role and to be honest a FTC for 6 months is a nonsense.

As mentioned before..leave well alone

[NoddY]

Fix-term 'contracting': all the negatives of permanent work, without any of the benefits; all the disadvantages of proper contracting without the financial rewards. Don't be a fool.