To Contract or Not To Contract

[curtoid]

I'm currently an independent contractor ("1099 Employee"), even though I've been looking for something full time with benefits, etc. About a month ago I signed on to work for a Federal agency for an assignment that should last around 2 1/2 months.

The work is good - the pay is amazing - the commute is 5 minutes - the people are terrific - and there is an option this thing could be extended until the end of the fiscal year (Sept 30, 04), and maybe the end of the 2004 calendar year - or even become something "real," which I would like.

Meanwhile...I've been given a job offer from someone who is actually willing to wait until this contract is over with, however I have to commit to them now.

The pay is all right, but not the kind of pay I'm looking to get, and no where close to what I can get as a contractor - the commute would suck (Arlington to Silver Spring!! Yikes!) - and the potential for advancement is almost nothing, since this job is really out on its own, with no where else to go. However, the people are also great - the hours are very flexible, I would be able to bring a lot of different kind of things to the table, and it wouldn't be a stuffy Federal Government job.

(Although, to be fair, I think I found the one Fed department that could never be accused of being stuffy).

So...anyone with suggestions?

The Contract job won't commit to something long term now, or even an extension, until they know how much 2004 money they have to play with. Everyone has pretty much told me they expect the work to be extended (one guy said that as long as I didn't piss on the boss's desk I'd be fine), however I would feel foolish to pass up a known opportunity and not have the contract job to pan out - especially considering how long I've been looking for real work.

Benefits, security vs. Money, better career path.

Suggestions??

[KOP]

[furie]

1099 Employee


I don't know what that means


I think I found the one Fed department that could never be accused of being stuffy


GSA?


<img src="http://tseery.homestead.com/files/bod6.gif" height=100 width=300>



This message was edited by furie on 11-24-03 @ 7:23 PM

[high fly]

As long as the Republicans are in power, you can plan on the money to keep gushing in.
When it comes to spending, even money they don't have, they are the all time best, and have several record sized budgets and record sized deficits to go with them as proof.

It's hard to give an opinion without knowing just what you do, but it sounds like the second job offer isn't what you want.
Just take the offer as flattery and leave it at that.
That bums rush treatment-- gotta sign on NOW looks like a warning sign to me.

Keep-a sucking on that government teat. Do well on this contract and you'll prob'ly land another one or impress someone on the gvt. who'll hire you outright when the contract is over.



" and they ask me why I drink"

[shamus mcfitzy]

To Contract or Not To Contract


Contract. I mean really, when will the Marlins ever do anyth......oh

[JohnnyCash]

I say take the chance. It could work out great for you. Sure its a risk but I think its worth going for.Hope it works out for you, whatever you decide.

The work is good - the pay is amazing - the commute is 5 minutes- if that could actually become a permanent gig, that would rock.

Thanks to Reefdwella for the great Sig Pic.
<IMG SRC="http://www.osirusonline.com/cashsig.gif">

[Recyclerz]

Like High Fly said, without knowing you, your age, what career field you're in, etc. any advice is difficult but here's a few observations that might be of interest:

A decent benefits package (medical, dental, vacations, pension and/or 401(k) contributions) is generally worth about 30% of your total compensation (and if you consider that it is pre-tax it could cost 35-40% to duplicate with after tax $.) So make sure you're getting paid at least that much more from a contracting job.

Aside from a handful of municipal union jobs, job security (at any particular job) is an illusion these days. Make sure you're developing skill sets that are translatable to other related jobs in your chosen field. Be flexible in assessing what you want to/will do.

Don't fuck your boss's daughter, wife, girlfriend, etc. and have him find out about it through an .asf file on the internet. In fact, it's better if he doesn't find out at all.

Good Luck!




[b]Sig-less in Gaza[b]

[curtoid]

I'm rolling the dice and staying put, and have even offered to do a small contract for part of the work with the other place, which they might take because it would mean they could bring in someone at a lower level to do other stuff, etc.

Thanks for the input.


1099 Employee


I don't know what that means



There's no such thing, really - "1099" refers to the tax form that is filed if you are a contractor, instead of a "W2," which is used by employees.

The phrase has become popular as the use of contractors in the positions of regular employees have increased (especially at government jobs) - they work a 40 hour / 9-5 week, but they are responsible for all of their taxes, health insurance, social security, and retrirment. To compensate for that, a contract person often gets twice as much as a regular employee.

What often happens, too, is that people who had jobs for long stretches of time, suddenly find themselves out of work, however the company/gov then brings them back as contractors. While it may look good, that they are being paid a lot more than before, the truth is the company/govt is saving a fortune.

The upside is that you can write stuff off - the downside is there is no security. Someone doing contract work, who really calls themselves a "1099 Employee," is fooling themselves because they are not an employee at all.

The trend with the current administration is to do more our-sourcing, however if the Democrats ever get back in office (and these days that's looking like it might happen again in 2045) then the common belief is that it will shift back the other way, and replace the contractors with employees again.

Whew.

[KOP]

This message was edited by KOP on 11-26-03 @ 12:45 PM