Job security. Come again?

From the Community…

• 
  Posted by JustSayNO Sat Dec 20, 2008 10:32pm PST

  You have the right attitude about self. Many companies, the majority, views employees as expendable assets. They are are the most expensive thing a company has. Look GM, Ford and Chrysler, and then Toyota and Honda in the USA. The UAW been like a parasite barely keeping the host alive.

  One thing about working for yourself is forming a circle of colleagues. You may land a gig that requires you and an extra person or two. You keep a 10% or so commission if you help place a colleague(s) with you, and in turn down the road they may be able to help place you and take a 10% commission - quid pro quo. Nothing wrong with that as you are business associates with your own LLC. You work together yet keep separate books. Works well.

  My dad worked at GE for 35 years. He retired in 1986. That was then. Today, there are no guarantees or implied work until you are ready to retire. No pension fund either except some companies match 401k contributions (tax-deferred retirement saving an employee can sock away upto $16K per year). Social Security (USA) is a joke which no one can survive on so you really are on your own.

  As you get contracts, you'll build a reputation. And, you should bill enough knowing you may only work 1,500 hours or so per year rather than the 2,080 hours (52 weeks x 40 hours). Also, you need to cover holidays and time off for vacations and healthcare, insurance, etc that an employer offers.

  In the USA, I've seen a nasty trend for W2 contract work. You are an employee for 3-6 months, under contract, yet you can't take business expense. Those are typically offered by India-based "body shops" and they pay poorly.

  Maybe you can carry 2 gigs at a time? You sound like a strong survivor in this brave new world.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by springtime Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:48am PST

  Job security certainly is an oxymoron; it makes about as much sense as

  "safe bomb". The short term contract may not be ideal ,but as you know, it will expose you to new people and new ideas. It could be just the stepping stone you need to launch yourself independently and to explore new avenues you have not yet thought about.

  Right now, I am remodeling a 1950's house. What a mess ! I knew I needed an expert who could be trusted; there are many shysters in the remodeling business. The guy I hired is a perfectionist; I couldn't be happier. He also had some ideas I had not thought about. He is also the minister of a small church. About four years ago, he realized that he needed to supplement his income, although his heart lies in his ministerial services. By word of mouth, this man has more remodeling work he can possibly handle. He usually works from 7:00 - 6:00 but can alter his schedule as he pleases to also accomodate his church duties. He told me yesterday that he would be taking two weeks off but would continue work in the new year. That is precisely the beauty of being independent.. taking time when you feel you need it, not when the company designates it.

  Good luck and good health to you in '09.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by FiredFor Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:42am PST

  Max - Interesting what you say about the commission for colleagues. With 2 freelance jobs I've picked up, this exact situation has happened. A creative director asked me if I knew of another resource required to work on each of these projects, and I leveraged my contacts to pull the right people in. Although these colleagues may get more work down the road so a percentage of their fee is one route to go, I'm thinking I should have been charging the CD (the agency) as I'm really providing a service that is normally the job of the CD. Not sure how to go back at this after the fact. Hmmm....

  thanks for your comments.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by DeAnn Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:59am PST

  What you say is so true. I've found the same to be true for myself, professionally. It makes me wonder why any of us put any effort into work in the first place if all we are is a number to go on the chopping block and suck-up employees matter more than quality workers.

  May I ask what you do that you can take on contract work from home? That sounds like a really interesting thing to do. What degree do you have? What's your background?

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by hooha Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:18am PST

  My teacher does consulting on the side and she is very successful. She encourages the same for us. In fact, she was @ the gas station filling up when an opportunity came her way and she now has a new client. What an inspiring story she has about work in this bad economic times. She keeps telling us that the work is there if we know where to look. Hopefully, I will get couragous like her and go that route.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by FiredFor Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:22am PST

  Hi DeAnn -- the contract work isn't at home so my apologies for the confusion. I'm a copywriter in advertising and starting in the new year, I'll be on on site at an agency for 3 months with a short-term contract. So kind of half-way between a regular job and working from home. :)

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Monique Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:26am PST

  Well, I've had the experience of being laid off or just feeling like I've been overlooked for promotions. One thing I realized about being self-employed is that as much work as I put in for the company I worked with is the same amount and more I could put in for myself. Being self-employed and being a business owner are two different things. If you want to write your own financial ticket, you've got to think in terms of long-term wealth. You know, residual income. It's a lot of work to be self-employed, however a business owner is different. You've got a staff doing all the work for you (people & the internet). This allows you to be with your family when you choose to and travel. Create systems that will allow you to have passive income. Otherwise, you might as well go back into the market. I learned the hard way. Working, working, working...as a self-employed person. NOT! Begin thinking like a business person. A business person thinks about long-term wealth. You want to be receiving checks in the mail even as you sleep. Lots of stuff on the internet for you to generate that kind of wealth. Build a team so that you can have other human interaction. Yes, I know working from home can be kind of lonely. Sounds like you're on the road to where you choose to be.

  Much success.

  Life Coach

  yobodyinc.com

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by dustymoon Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:14am PST

  After having worked for this company for 28 years my husband lost his job to "restructuring" two days later they offered him a job in the same office doing the same thing he had been doing, only this time it would be on a parttime basis, working nights, weekends, and during events at 1/2 the money and no benefits. I told him to stay home, clean and cook and I would support him.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Lobster Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:11pm PST

  I don't believe in job security, but we need these companies prevent America to fall. We can't compromise our faith in capitalism.

  I've traveled in various countries and let me tell you this, no country provides a waitress the option to keep her tips potentially estimating between $100-$200 a night, except America. The night time gig is keeping food on my family's table. America is known for its unlimited avenues of capitalistic opportunites, and I hate to see it screech to a halt.

  Yes, all of us are feeling frustrated, angry, and betrayed, but no matter what, we cannot let any business, large or small, fail. What can everyone of us do to support our economy? I hate to be an altruist when it's uncertain if I'll have a job next year. I'll juggle 3 jobs if I have to - use the money for family, put some away for emergencies, and eating out at inexpensive restaurants that might need the support & business.

  It's the best I can do. It's as far as I can contribute. If there's more I can do without breaking my budget, let me know.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Husain Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:37am PST

  I am a Diploma enginer Of Electronics .

  Report Abuse