What would you do?

[Deleted User]

Acc72 wrote: »

Firstly, I would accept job 1 and worry about this if/when offered job 2.

Being cynical I would say that these days an employee is only "permanent" for the length of their notice period.

Also if the jobs are pretty simiar, there must be a reason why job 2 is paying so much more ? (surely the roles cannot be the same?).

Do you have particularly unique skills / qualifications / experience ?

As you have found these 2 jobs, how likely would it be to find another in 6 months ?

This is what I've done. I accepted job 1 before I even had an interview with job 2. The jobs are similar but number one is a 'graduate position' while you just need GCSEs for job two, not sure if this explains the difference in pay. Also, job one is working for a company which has a significant back log and so I assume it will be more pressured, working to targets and staying later until the job has been completed. The manager explained the high pay as a result of the fact that there are no benefits such as sick pay, pension etc. but I'm not sure if there is more to it than that. I don't have unique skills or anything. I suppose it is likely that I'll find a similar job in 6 months time but job 2 is working for a company I have experience with as a customer and is reputable, chances for career progression etc. I just don't want to take it for granted that I'll be able to find something similar a few months down the line since I've read some people's experiences on here and how tough it is to find a job.

[Deleted User]

DKLS wrote: »

Option one every time, I am just about to do similar, planning a jump from a perm role with decent package to a contract role paying significantly more.

May I ask what appeals to you about the contract role besides the higher pay?

getmore4less

I would look carefully at what is to be expected from 1,

Is it salary or hourly paid?

Allready not flexable on a prebooked holiday would send alarm bells ringing.


I can see this as a 6 month sweatshop anyone not giving 200% is out with notice.

I would have a good look at the contract.

[Deleted User]

getmore4less wrote: »

I would look carefully at what is to be expected from 1,

Is it salary or hourly paid?

Allready not flexable on a prebooked holiday would send alarm bells ringing.


I can see this as a 6 month sweatshop anyone not giving 200% is out with notice.

I would have a good look at the contract.

Job one is paid by the day (it's basically working behind the scenes for a high-street bank). The basic hours are 9-5.30pm but you're be expected to stay later if targets haven't been reached. When I was offered the job on Wednesday, the first question I was asked was 'do you have any holidays booked?' I told them about the one in March but because they expect everyone to have 100% attendance in the first 2 months, I've been told I can't have the holiday. Another girl told me she has a holiday booked for May and they said that was no problem. I haven't received the contract yet.

SteProud

If you go for the contractor role do you know how you'll be getting paid? If its via an umbrella company for example then you will have to pay both Enmployers and employees NI out of the contract rate.

This is typically one of the reasons that contract positions pay more in comparrison to a permie role.

[Deleted User]

SteProud wrote: »

If you go for the contractor role do you know how you'll be getting paid? If its via an umbrella company for example then you will have to pay both Enmployers and employees NI out of the contract rate.

This is typically one of the reasons that contract positions pay more in comparrison to a permie role.

Oh, I wasn't told this. Yes, it's an umbrella company (Contractor Solutions) and I have to pay them £15 per week so they can do all the accounts. Do you have any more info about these two different types of NI?

iaincross

I'd go for number 1 and look for a better option before my contract ended.

SteProud

Deleted_User wrote: »

Oh, I wasn't told this. Yes, it's an umbrella company (Contractor Solutions) and I have to pay them £15 per week so they can do all the accounts. Do you have any more info about these two different types of NI?

I work for an umbrella company so I'm not impartial but here is a link to a couple of independent guides and they include notes on National Insurance Contributions.


http://www.contractorcalculator.co.uk/Umbrellas.aspx

http://www.contracteye.co.uk/umbrella-company.shtml

Like I said, the reason the rate is higher is because you will pay both sets of NI etc.

Make sure you get a full contract of employment from the umbrella company and if you are claiming travel and subsistence expenses (which you should be able to do via an umbrella) only claim for what you spend and always, always keep the receipt.

Some of the less scrupulous umbrella companies will tell you you can claim anything you like and don't need receipts. This is absolutely not true and if HMRC checks it's you who faces the music and not the umbrella!

Sambucus_Nigra

I'd accept the first job I was offered and look at it once I had 2 offers to make a decision about.

The first job may not be as lucrative once you have taken Tax and NI off.

[Deleted User]

SteProud wrote: »

I work for an umbrella company so I'm not impartial but here is a link to a couple of independent guides and they include notes on National Insurance Contributions.


http://www.contractorcalculator.co.uk/Umbrellas.aspx

http://www.contracteye.co.uk/umbrella-company.shtml

Like I said, the reason the rate is higher is because you will pay both sets of NI etc.

Make sure you get a full contract of employment from the umbrella company and if you are claiming travel and subsistence expenses (which you should be able to do via an umbrella) only claim for what you spend and always, always keep the receipt.

Some of the less scrupulous umbrella companies will tell you you can claim anything you like and don't need receipts. This is absolutely not true and if HMRC checks it's you who faces the music and not the umbrella!

Thank you for your advice, it's much appreciated. There was absolutely no mention of having to pay two sets of NI. I attended an assessment centre yesterday for job 1 (the contractor job) and we were told we could claim £4 per day for lunch, business atire and travel expenses (does this include petrol?) Does this sound about right? Having used an online calculator, I've worked out that employer's NI is an additional £50 per week so I'm not sure why we weren't informed about that.