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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tabitha on February 24, 2004, at 0:12:35
My former company contacted me about going back there on a consultant basis. They asked if I could start Monday. It sounds a little horrifying. I quit that job 6 months ago partly because it s*cked, but mostly just to take a long vacation. I've mostly been sitting on my behind since then, but it's relaxing. I've been thinking about going back to work but so far haven't quite had the motivation to do the jobhunt.
The pay she quoted was lower than I expected. With the loss of benefits it might not even be as much as my former salary. I have to call a payroll agency to find out some more about the overhead costs. I think I'd definitely ask for more money. I'd also have to keep regular hours and wouldn't get sick time. On the plus side, it's hourly pay, and in my field there's quite an annoying expectation of free overtime.
It would just be temporary in my mind. They do really short-term contracts anyway, then it sort of goes month-to-month. Kind of like a really low-rent apartment building :-( My thinking is it would get me moving again, then I could look for a new job from there.
Or... I could just pass and start a real jobhunt.
Posted by octopusprime on February 24, 2004, at 1:28:35
In reply to Back to Work?, posted by tabitha on February 24, 2004, at 0:12:35
tabitha -
the one positive thing you posted about taking the job was just an anti-negative ("i won't have to work free overtime!") ... as i'm sure you've noticed, you don't have to work free overtime while taking a vacation in your home.
if you are not strapped for cash, why would you take a job that sucks? even if it is temporary?
the positives of working should outweigh the negatives, especially if you have other options.
job hunting is awful, but i don't think it's as bad out there as it used to be ... do what's best for you and your mental health.
Posted by tabitha on February 24, 2004, at 1:45:47
In reply to Re: Back to Work?, posted by octopusprime on February 24, 2004, at 1:28:35
Good points, OP. The other big anti-negative is that I've been kind of feeling stuck about getting started on the jobhunt-- and this just fell into my lap with no effort. Not exactly a glowing recommendation either, is it?
I just heard from another friend in my field who also left my former company and found what sounds like a better job in only a few weeks.
Just doing the research on consulting and payroll and tax issues felt like getting going.. maybe I can do it..
Posted by octopusprime on February 24, 2004, at 2:12:41
In reply to Re: Back to Work? » octopusprime, posted by tabitha on February 24, 2004, at 1:45:47
tabitha, you can do it!
the consulting and payroll issues may pay off in other ways. you can freelance or contract for some other people. maybe start your own business.
a job hunt is just one email or phone call at a time.
consider your options carefully and make sure you get what you're worth. the first part of a new job is the honeymoon phase - you should be happy then, because many times it's all downhill from there.
signed,
the hasty job-accepter who never takes her own advice :)
Posted by Angielala on February 24, 2004, at 9:51:12
In reply to Back to Work?, posted by tabitha on February 24, 2004, at 0:12:35
Hmmm.. tough one. Would doing a few contract type things with the old company make you want to run away from any job idea or would it motivate you to find something better with benfits and all?
> My former company contacted me about going back
there on a consultant basis. They asked if I could start Monday. It sounds a little horrifying. I quit that job 6 months ago partly because it s*cked, but mostly just to take a long vacation. I've mostly been sitting on my behind since then, but it's relaxing. I've been thinking about going back to work but so far haven't quite had the motivation to do the jobhunt.
>
> The pay she quoted was lower than I expected. With the loss of benefits it might not even be as much as my former salary. I have to call a payroll agency to find out some more about the overhead costs. I think I'd definitely ask for more money. I'd also have to keep regular hours and wouldn't get sick time. On the plus side, it's hourly pay, and in my field there's quite an annoying expectation of free overtime.
>
> It would just be temporary in my mind. They do really short-term contracts anyway, then it sort of goes month-to-month. Kind of like a really low-rent apartment building :-( My thinking is it would get me moving again, then I could look for a new job from there.
>
> Or... I could just pass and start a real jobhunt.
>
>
Posted by tabitha on February 24, 2004, at 15:01:57
In reply to Re: Back to Work?, posted by Angielala on February 24, 2004, at 9:51:12
> Hmmm.. tough one. Would doing a few contract type things with the old company make you want to run away from any job idea or would it motivate you to find something better with benfits and all?
That is exactly the question. My thought was it might be easier to find another job as an employed person, but I haven't tested this idea out. Some people in my field do consulting long-term, going from place to place.. that's another option too. I'm researching the conditions of doing it this way.
Posted by tabitha on February 24, 2004, at 15:11:23
In reply to Re: Back to Work?, posted by octopusprime on February 24, 2004, at 2:12:41
Thanks for the little nudge. Self-confidence is an issue for me, but so far I've always managed to get good jobs and do OK (except for one awful non-medicated year). I need to keep reminding myself of that.
I'm looking into the issues of doing consulting.. it looks like I'd at least need an agency to do the payroll and W2 for me, and there are all kinds of different services for that.. I'd be dealing with my employer plus the agency then.
At least I just learned more than I ever knew about payroll taxes. I'm going to eagerly dredge up my old payroll stubs and tax returns and look at numbers. It sounds minor, but I can really get paralyzed about financial paperwork.. so I'm glad to see myself moving on this.
Posted by Angielala on February 25, 2004, at 14:13:38
In reply to Re: Back to Work? » Angielala, posted by tabitha on February 24, 2004, at 15:01:57
It sounds like you could make some good money... perhaps you can find a part time job with benefits (some bigger companies do that, healthcare firms tend to do that, etc) and then you could have a part time job- less stress, and make some money on the side doing contract work... you have tons of options, which is great!
Don't worry too much, though... I bet you the cards will jsut all fall in place when you least expect it :)
> > Hmmm.. tough one. Would doing a few contract type things with the old company make you want to run away from any job idea or would it motivate you to find something better with benfits and all?
>
> That is exactly the question. My thought was it might be easier to find another job as an employed person, but I haven't tested this idea out. Some people in my field do consulting long-term, going from place to place.. that's another option too. I'm researching the conditions of doing it this way.
Posted by tabitha on February 25, 2004, at 14:53:02
In reply to Re: Back to Work? » tabitha, posted by Angielala on February 25, 2004, at 14:13:38
> It sounds like you could make some good money... perhaps you can find a part time job with benefits (some bigger companies do that, healthcare firms tend to do that, etc) and then you could have a part time job- less stress, and make some money on the side doing contract work... you have tons of options, which is great!
Thanks for the encouragement. Most of the temp agencies let you buy health insurance from a group plan and have 401k plans, so it's about the same benefits as I had working fulltime-- except I would pay about $300/month for the insurance instead of $25/month. The hourly pay is higher so it covers that easily. Unless a company offers matching 401k or stock bonuses, you end up with pretty equal benefits doing contracting. The only thing is I need to be sure to stay under some group health plan so they can't do the pre-existing condition exclusion on me. That just means I can't go more than 18 months between jobs, since that's how long COBRA coverage lasts.
Gee it sounds like I've got it all figured out doesn't it? Just need to plod ahead...
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