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hedgehog

(36,286 posts) Sun Sep 28, 2014, 05:01 AM Sep 2014

"Contract employee" [View all]

How many people out there are working as contract employees? What it means is

- no paid vacation

- no sick days

- no paid holidays ( a holiday means a short paycheck the next week)

- no security

- no decent feedback (you'll get laid off for no reason with no warning)

- no 401K - pension? what's a pension?

Software workers have been dealing with this a long time. Now, so are a lot of factory workers. Now, this:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/09/27/351993359/more-flights-canceled-in-chicago-suspect-had-been-told-of-hawaii-transfer

36 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

"Contract employee" [View all] hedgehog Sep 2014 OP

Yes, had a couple of contract jobs as a QA tester after my job was moved overseas. djean111 Sep 2014 #1

Back in the late 70's/early 80's when I first entered the corporate world, bluesbassman Sep 2014 #2

Yep, I remember those days quite well. I worked/lived through that change from my early years RKP5637 Sep 2014 #5

I was just entering the workforce during the Reagan years marym625 Sep 2014 #8

Yes, I think that is what many relate to anymore. It's a shame, there were far better days when one RKP5637 Sep 2014 #10

USA, Inc. Exactly. Sad. just so sad. eom marym625 Sep 2014 #11

I kinda like it better that they don't have loyalty yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #16

Present. Add to that no Unemployment benefits since you are "self employed". adirondacker Sep 2014 #3

I'm sorry. I hope something comes along soon. marym625 Sep 2014 #9

Thanks. adirondacker Sep 2014 #12

Thanks for the link. marym625 Sep 2014 #13

that would depend sabbat hunter Sep 2014 #19

I was about to point out how fuzzy that term was. Ms. Toad Sep 2014 #29

And don't forget to double up on FICA. Downwinder Sep 2014 #4

I am one. IdaBriggs Sep 2014 #6

so much crap goes back to Reagan marym625 Sep 2014 #7

Hospital contract worker here nightscanner59 Sep 2014 #14

Interesting that this plays out in such a wide occupational scenario. adirondacker Sep 2014 #15

I'm now self-employed, doing residential remodeling & home repair. CaptainTruth Sep 2014 #17

I do Marrah_G Sep 2014 #18

That would be me... Wounded Bear Sep 2014 #20

Also, Try Applying for SSI daredtowork Sep 2014 #21

Are you misclassified as an Independent Contractor? FrodosPet Sep 2014 #22

I did time as a contract employee. It sucked. (nt) Paladin Sep 2014 #23

Yep. I have a salary job and several IT jobs that are on contract. Rex Sep 2014 #24

I am self employed, meeting all that, by choice rather than overworked/underpaid uppityperson Sep 2014 #25

It's time to start contracting out C-level, VP & Director positions. CrispyQ Sep 2014 #26

For software developers it's not always a bad thing. Xithras Sep 2014 #27

But lose the incredible tax benefits that come when those are provided through your employer - Ms. Toad Sep 2014 #30

The tax thing is a real issue. Xithras Sep 2014 #31

The biggest issue is the inability to set aside significant income for retirement Ms. Toad Sep 2014 #34

And, at least where I work, contractors are paid OT and FTEs aren't. WillowTree Sep 2014 #35

been in video games for 15 years. Phlem Sep 2014 #28

i worked at new york telephone from '79 to '88 DesertFlower Sep 2014 #32

Adjuncts too. Starry Messenger Sep 2014 #33

It's All About Cheap Labor Dirty Socialist Sep 2014 #36