Leaving a permanent position for one that's contract

[INTN]

If stability is an important factor for you - then I wouldn't do it. Start looking for another permanent position if you feel you need to change. I realize, of course, that even permanent positions don't always work out, but the likelihood of success is higher.

[katestar]

What about paid time off and health insurance. I would only consider it if I could get these two. Any job is bearable if you're getting good health coverage and enough time off. If I go contract and hate it and I can't take a day off, I would kill myself.

If it is a great opportunity to advance your career, you are single and feel stuck, I would do it. If I had a family, I most likely wouldn't unless my SO was making enough to cover us both and then some.

[sinsativ]

See, Tracy, each of us has our own situation. You are married, two children, youngest just turned 3, so to change positions to a contract job, unless your husband has a very stable, secure, guaranteed job and insurance. You need to base all that in your thoughts. If your youngest was in school, even then, but for the next 3 years, I would wait. Just my opinion. Check your benefits on your permanent job. Makes up a lot when you add the 2 plus weeks off, paid, did they pay maternity leave? do they cover insurance? do they have sick time off? you lose all those. need to add the value of those to your contract promise before you consider the change.

[HomeHuntress]

All of you points are noted and already being considered - greatly. Thanks!

I'd love to hear more stories from people who have been in a similar situation before.

[yellowbelle]

In my industry, you have to be someone with a lot of experience to contract, but it offers you a chance to learn more technologies which in the long run makes you more marketable if/when you return to being an employee (again that's just MY industry).

It's funny you should mention but at my company I know there's a lady who is looking to move to contracting - she has no idea I know she put in her resume with a friend of mine. She is easily the worst employee I've ever seen in my entire career. She is going to crash and burn as a contractor, and then she's out health insurance, unemployment, etc. As an employee it's more difficult for us to get rid of her because we'd have to document everything as a CYA. As a contractor, she can just be dismissed. SHE is safer as an employee but doesn't know it.

[NJBest]

Originally Posted by HomeHuntress

I would be a W2 employee, so no worries there.

Hmm, I definitely wouldn't do it as a w2 employee unless there was a favorable perk. One of the downsides of a w2 employee is that you cannot max out your401k to the $49,000 limit.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by NJBest

Hmm, I definitely wouldn't do it as a w2 employee unless there was a favorable perk. One of the downsides of a w2 employee is that you cannot max out your401k to the $49,000 limit.

Youd have to consider that a legitimate downside first.

[I_Love_LI_but]

Originally Posted by yellowbelle

In my industry, you have to be someone with a lot of experience to contract, but it offers you a chance to learn more technologies which in the long run makes you more marketable if/when you return to being an employee (again that's just MY industry).

It's funny you should mention but at my company I know there's a lady who is looking to move to contracting - she has no idea I know she put in her resume with a friend of mine. She is easily the worst employee I've ever seen in my entire career. She is going to crash and burn as a contractor, and then she's out health insurance, unemployment, etc. As an employee it's more difficult for us to get rid of her because we'd have to document everything as a CYA. As a contractor, she can just be dismissed. SHE is safer as an employee but doesn't know it.

So ... are you going to/did you tell your friend about this lady's shortcomings ... or are you keeping your mouth shut in the hopes that she will get the contracting job and resign from your workplace?

[redvelvet709]

Originally Posted by HomeHuntress

Have you ever left a permanent, full-time professional position for one that's on a long-term contract? Why, and what were the results? Any regrets?

No way I would ever do this. I actually have had some offers for this. Why would anyone risk losing health insurance, 401k, dependable income and stability for something that can end 8 months later? I cannot imagine.

[hardworkerinOC]

would you consider a contract position, if it is over 2 years long and that the salary range is over 15-20k more, than you are currently earning? I understand that the PTO, Sick-time, health insurance, retirement etc., are essentials, but with a raise of this figure; it should incorporate such costs, right?

Also, what has been the experience with these employers either extending, or potentially hiring this person, if he/she does a phenomenal job as a contractor? I've always wondered, as I've never personally been a contractor, myself..

I think some of you mentioned, but wanted to confirm, if the contract expired, would you be eligible for filing for unemployment? Granted that, you were contracted through some sort of staffing agency?