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Re: Thoughts on transitioning from one contract to another
Subject:Re: Thoughts on transitioning from one contract to another From:John G <john -at- garisons -dot- com> To:Ed <glassnet -at- gmail -dot- com> Date:Sat, 27 Sep 2014 12:34:14 -0400
If it were me, I'd see what Employer A offered as an hourly rate. If it is
lower than the rate for a similar job, I would request that they match the
higher rate, regardless of your previous rate there. I wouldn't accept
anything lower than my previous rate, and would ask for 20% above that rate
as you will be paying higher taxes as a freelancer than as an employee.
I would not mention anything to Employer B at this time. However, I would
try to find out about the possibility of extending the contract.
A lot depends too on the number of hours Employer A is offering. If there
is any way to work it out that you can do both - for at least as long as
Employer B is willing to keep you going - I'd try that too. If you could
offer A +/-30 hours and B +/-10 hours a week ... that might make it better
for both places as each would be looking at slightly fewer hours ...
My 2Â,
JG
On Sat, Sep 27, 2014 at 12:10 PM, Ed <glassnet -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> I would like to hear from fellow writers who have experienced a quick
> transition from one contract to the next as a new opportunity appeared.
>
> I may be at the tail end of a 3-month contract. I was placed by a well
> known body shop (Employer B) at a very good rate, and the hours are 2-3
> days each week. I work from my office 1-2 days each week. The work
> supervisor (a project engineer) is a good manager. I have no complaints at
> all, and see this type of assignment as ideal. However, it is a project
> that is constrained by budget and time. I should be concerned with the
> project end, but I am not aggressively pursuing work, and letting my muse
> take charge, for a change. I have not received an end date yet.
>
> For 10 years previous I was employed as a full time writer (Employer A). It
> was a very good job, but there is an economic cycle, and my number came due
> in January. Now, 9 months later, I am expecting a job offer to go back
> there, but as a temporary worker of Employer A. I don't have specifics yet.
> But I expressed interest when asked.
>
> There are 2 questions in my mind, and I think fellow writers will bring the
> right perspective to this discussion.
>
> 1. If hourly rate for Employer A was X, would you ever accept less than X?
> I realize that a fair rate would be X + 25%, or more, but not expecting
> that kind of offer. Money has not been discussed at all.
>
> 2. Would you discuss this at all with Employer B, or the work supervisor?
> Or, just give 2 weeks notice if and when this becomes an issue.
>
> I believe all of this will play out in the next month. There are other
> aspects to consider, but I thought posting this now a good idea.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
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