Self employed - should I go perm

[PreemieBlessing]

I am faced with an agonising decision about my career. I became a self employed contractor back in January as the pay is much better than perm and we were struggling on my income only. My husband has finally got into a job which he is really happy with and I can now take a step back.

I have been renewed in my contract and now the employer is offering me a perm role (it's cheaper for them and I'm the missing skill). To be fair on them, when my children haven't been well, they have been quite supportive of me starting work late and reducing my lunch break etc. My manager has even kindly let me work minimal hours on a half day I had booked off and will still pay my half day rate. From September, my manager has also allowed me to work from home one day a week as I'd like to be able to do one day's drop off and pickup for my eldest son who starts school.

Now my predicament comes in the fact that I clearly see massive benefits in being a contractor, no one really to report to for career objectives, appraisals etc. I just go in, do my work and get paid a premium. I can upskill as I can learn in different environments with each contract.

At the same time, for my current place, I won't be renewed again given that they are pushing for a perm role so I'd need to be able to find another contract that can give me wfh flexibility.

The pay is £10k less per annum and holidays are less but I get the guaranteed work from home day and do not need to worry about interviews and getting a new contract within commutable distance and can wfh flexibility.

I have really enjoyed being a contractor and can see why it is so appealing, you are not there to impress, you just do your work and if your skills are still needed, you are renewed. You do not get involved in politics and you learn from different environments. At the same time, I know that in the past, when I was perm I used to find it frustrating being on projects I didn't want to be on, I hated the politics and couldn't be detached from work.

I also know that this is a critical time for my children as one starts school and one is still at pre-school.

I am such a dilemma on what to do... should I go perm and be stuck in something I'm really only doing for flexibility or do I take the risk and try and find contracts and hopefully be able to secure something that allows me to work from home...

I am in a guilty mother / working mother mess!!

I can't really make a useful contribution, as I'm a freelancer but am taking far less than I did in my previous perm job. I can safely assume you're earning quite a bit more than I am.

Ignorant of the money issue (which is a factor, but bigger incomes tend to have greater expenditure alongside)…

Continuing to contract sounds like a good idea to me. If it means you get to spend more time with your kids, you can turn down work if you want. The income is variable, but if the hubby can cover your household bills comfortably every month (and if that's what you want) prioritise spending as much time with your kids while they're young.

I'm in the same position as Jive. I don't make much as a contractor but can't quite bring myself to go perm again for the time being while my children are young. The flexibility and lack of office politics and expectations are - as you mention - a big weight off.

That said I'm out of contract at the moment and it is a worry, not knowing when my next pay packet will be.

Could you negotiate a better salary? They are clearly able to afford to pay more.

I've been a freelancer for many years and it's been much more lucrative than a perm job. Through a combination of circumstances I was forced into taking a perm job 2 months ago and am already looking to get out and back into freelancing. I'm finding the lack of freedom and flexibility a real frustration, as well as (as you mentioned) having to spend time on projects I'm not really interested in. If I were you I'd definitely stick to my guns and tell them thank you, but no thank you to the perm role. They're just trying to pay you less for the same work.

Presumably the lower salary offer is because as your employer they would also be paying tax and NI (and pension contributions?), not just your take home wage. So they may not have lots more money to offer you, though it can't hurt to ask for a higher salary

Have you only had the one employer since January? HMRC might question whether you really are self-employed.

You don't sound like a self employed contractor at all so you need to look at IR35. Contractors don't have managers. They don't kindly let you work half days- you set the hours as a contractor. They don't let you work from home- you choose the location etc etc