Job Offer - Rolling Contract Work versus Current Permanent Job


Roker SOL

Winger
Right, difficult situation.

I've a job offer out of the blue. Everything has happened at breakneck speed, from first contact by agency, through to immediate person-to-person interview to job offer 24 hours after the interview. I've been thinking through the offer since last Tuesday. I am not rushing the decision though and am waiting for confirmation that references have been taken before I accept or reject the post.

The position is almost identical to my duties during my last three years at my previous (not current) employer before I had to give it up to look after my late mum. I had no real issues with that former job.

Wages are working out at about 2/3rds higher than my current wage. However, the new post is initially 6 month contract with chance of renewal every 6 months contract rather than permanent. They are claiming they have work for up to four years. I'm not sure this is the case, however, the company is a reputable one.

My current employers are finally taking recent issues seriously and talking about reasonable adjustment for potential AD-HD and Asperger's. I'll note I'm no sick leave with stress due to these issues, plus a difficult relationship with my current line manager. I've mentioned this difficult relationship on here in the past though problems due to potential undiagnosed AD-HD and Asperger's may in part have led to this.

My potential new employers don't know about my potential AD-HD and Asperger's assessment, my thinking being only to disclose if necessary as the conditions are mild. I've not been diagnosed yet, so I have nothing yet to declare (the NHS Mental Health appointment for initial diagnosis has been put back due to NHS work overload and an outbreak of flu amongst NHS staff over the Christmas period).

Two of my mates are telling me to stay put as my current post is permanent and my current employers are apparently good at reasonable adjustment. They are noting in the new job the agency would be my employer rather than the company and thus if the company decides they have no need for me at any stage, then the agency could end my tenure with little notice.

I've also talked to a business owner for an impartial opinion and he's said as an employer that he would take on agency staff to cover a short-term peak in work. He has also said that he could let agency people go at any time.

I also believe my employment rights would be back to day one, without any rights in case of dismissal, etc.

So it's a choice of getting away from a difficult situation with my current manager though possible support versus more money, but loss of job security.

Thoughts?

I'm aiming to put this to bed in the next day or two.
 
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Do you need the extra money? Not being funny but if you don’t, and with the additional uncertainty of the new job, and its longevity, with your diagnosis, would the extra money recompense for all the changes you’ll be bringing to your life?

Some people thrive on the adrenaline of the challenge, it crushes others. Only you know what it’s likely to do to you.

It’s great to feel wanted and wooed, and having money thrown at you, you just have to look deep inside yourself to ask “is it right for me?”
 
If you are considering a contract role then any contract for services should include a 1 month or 30 day notice period. Ask the agency for a copy of their standard contract so that you are aware of notice period, and can read through the contract to check for any clauses that may be problematic.

Also do you work in a a combination of role/location where there are lots of contract and or permanent opportunities? If the answer is no, then taking a contract role might be a risk.
 
I’ve always chased the money, hasn’t always work out best but never mind.
Ho with your gut, don’t burn bridges and think of yourself and your family
Good luck
 
your main issue at your current employer is your line manager whats not to say the same wont happen in the new role. Have you asked yourself why the new job pays so much more? Will it be more demanding stressful? You are having your ego stroked a bit at the minute(and none of us mind that) try to take a more detached view
 
How much do you need the job security? Would you be ok demand if you lost your job? I'd go for security but circumstances may be different.
 
Do you need the extra money? Not being funny but if you don’t, and with the additional uncertainty of the new job, and its longevity, with your diagnosis, would the extra money recompense for all the changes you’ll be bringing to your life?

Some people thrive on the adrenaline of the challenge, it crushes others. Only you know what it’s likely to do to you.

It’s great to feel wanted and wooed, and having money thrown at you, you just have to look deep inside yourself to ask “is it right for me?”
The difficult manager is the one that would swing it for me. Life is too short to have to deal with cvnts. Also, the money could be saved up for a nice buffer.
 
There’s a lot of variables to consider first.

What’s your home life like? Do you have a partner and kids? How would they cope if you lost your contract.

What’s your financial position? Renting? Mortgage? Debt? Savings?

I’d have to think hard about a company that say they have work for 4 years but only want agency staff on 6 month contracts. I know it’s very common but there are often underlying issues for the company.

What is the financial position of the company? Abbreviated accounts are available on Companies House so that will give you an indication.
 
How much demand is there for your role? If the agency contract ended tomorrow how long would it take you to find a new placement? How long can you go without an income? My experience as a contractor is that contracts rarely have more than a 7 day notice period either way and in one case for me was an hour when a project was shutdown. If you're in a high demand role contracting is a no brainer if there's a good margin compared to an employee role and you're unlikely to need time off e.g. due to Illness
 
Here is my take.
We don’t really know the ins and outs from the last situation only your side of the story.
All of your medical issues are out in the open and it sounds like that they are making reasonable adjustments which is decent.
The Job is permanent.

As the new one is rolling it is very easy to get rid of you. One mistake or they don’t like you you’re out.
Can you take this stress?

Personally as you are discovering yourself and your traits and how you function I’d stay as you are until you know fully your working strengths and development areas and your resilience. When you get that bang on then you maybe ready.

Moving jobs is incredibly stressful to someone without disabilities and could you cope?

Most people are stressed, have conflict, can’t be doing with work but persevere through it.

Choice is yours but I’d stay out at the moment.
 
Stay where you are. You have more rights if your condition worsens or affects your work.
Once you go with an agency they can, and will, finish you at the stroke of a pen with no recourse.
Agencies are only blood sucking leeches making money off your back.
 
I switched from a job with a rolling monthly contract to a permanent one a few years ago. I took a pay cut in cash terms but the benefits were better going permanent and it took away the uncertainty. Some months my contract wasn't renewed until a few days before the end of the month and even one month not until the morning of the final day when I had already started to clear my desk and say my goodbyes.
 
Id stop where iwas and sort the line manager, which will probably happen once you get a diagnosis and reasonable adjustment . Dont let one twat drive you out if a decent number
 

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