I've been out of a job since mid June. My former company was forced to let 15 of us go as the main contracting company is loosing money and was able to find a loophole in the contract to force my company to let us go. Anyway, I'm not hurting financially, and can hold out for a good 7 - 1/2 months although I don't want to be unemployed for that long. I'm in the I/T industry, and in Hawaii, there aren't a whole lot of jobs (it seems to be picking up a little though).

A contracting company made me an offer that I don't know if I want to take. Here's the details:

2k+ /year increase in pay over my last job (no big deal)
1 week of vacation after you've worked for one year - (this is one of my biggest concerns)
No sick leave Their policy is no work, no pay - (this is the other part of my biggest concerns)
No paid holidays until you've worked 3 months (wtf???)
Supervisory position (only two people under me, but this is where I want to be in my career)

This is for the same contract I was working on. The biggest problem is that if I take this job, I could not work for another company on the same contract for six months after I leave (another problem). I have another offer for 10k more per year than what my last job paid, two weeks vacation, one week sick leave, not a supervisory position, but this is only contingent on them getting the bid for 15 positions. I don't know how likely it will be they will win the bid, I've never heard of either company before. They should know if they won the bid by mid next week or so.

The current offering company wants me to start on Monday. They will not negotiate on pay, benefits or starting date. I need more time in case the second company wins the bid.

Here's my feelings:
I'm not sure if I want to work for the first one because they won't negotiate on anything especially the start date. I know they are making about 30k - 40k off of the position, so I can't see why they won't budge. Their benefits totally suck. I've only worked for one company that had the same crappy benefits, but at least I got paid for holidays! Given that this master contract is where most of the jobs are popping up these days, accepting the offer would prevent me from working on this contract for six months (maybe more) after I leave that job.

My wife says not to take the offer, but it's a job and it pays and having income is better than not having income. She's very supportive of me, and does not want me to work where I won't be happy with the position. What would you do?

 

The benefits may not be right, but I would choose the first option. I'm a little more conservative when it comes to career choices. I would be concerned that the second company would not land the bid, and you would be out of both opportunities. If the job market was rich, I would say the risk would be o.k., but in this economic environment, I'd go with the sure thing. Also, being in the supervisory position would be a plus.

 

Personally I've always loved contract work.

I've worked when I wanted, as hard as I wanted and for as many hours as I wanted. Made a ton of coin doing contract..but this one sounds like it sucks.

If they won't negotiate then they are making the majority of the money. If you know anyone on the inside, ask them to have them request you..then you can negotiate.

Again..sure thing in this situation makes more sense to me.

 

I have never really done contract work before. Something I would like to know more about.

 

Rick,
Send me your resume or give me a call, Snuffs (yeah im speaking or writting in 3rd person) got mad hooks up. If your in IT and got pretty good experience...if you have a clearance (that would totally own) But ill see what I can do for you.


-Ryan a.k.a Snuff (speaking in 3rd person again)

 

It's not really contract work like you think. I'm not a contractor per say, but I'll be working for a company that bids on a contract from another company.

Also, to add to the confusion, I have a clearance with the government that opens up a lot of doors for job hunting. I think that's why I'm not sweating it too much being unemployed since jobs that require clearance are easier to find than in the private sector.

 

I would have to agree with your feelings on this matter. I too think that working and having income out weighs the crap that you have to deal with. However, this gets old really really fast. In about a month you are going to wish you didnt take the deal and want out. But like you said, you cant go to a related job for 6 months!!! Did I read that correctly? Hard to talk about on a forum. Call me and lets do lunch! Stephen you in??

 

I'm always up for free lunch. Thanks for offering, Chieh.

 

Rick,

This is amazing, I gotta say in the time I've known you, I think you've been out of work more than you've been employed! To me the benefits don't sound that bad (it's what we have ), and a non-comp clause is somewhat normal (according to Fran). I say take the "bird in hand"

 

Boy, you're not kidding! After 9/11 and my first job loss after working 7-1/2 years straight (due to downsizing), put me on a long streak for unemployment. However, since I have a clearance, it shouldn't take that long to find another one.