When is a ‘job’ not a job?

[lalasun]

In my world (freelance), you work for a range of different clients, and when someone offers you work, you might say ‘they offered me a job doing xyz’ or ‘I got the job’ for a contract/freelance role etc.

I have been doing the same thing for over 15 years. I won a new client today and, feeling quite pleased with myself, I said to my DH, ‘they offered me a job on the spot.’

Despite the fact I told him this was a freelance role beforehand, just like all my work, DH says he initially thought I meant they’d offered me a fulltime, employee position. Not sure why, given that’s not what I do, but this is what he claims.

He decided to go off on one, saying ‘but it’s not a ‘JOB’. It’s ‘work’. Apparently all the freelance ‘jobs’ I’ve had working for different clients shouldn’t be called jobs, according to him.

This has never come up in all the years I’ve been with him or since I’ve been freelance.

Am I right in thinking he was being quite mean (on purpose), or is my terminology wrong?

I'd probably use both words interchangeably. If it bothers him that much, I guess use his phrasing?

Tbh it feels like he was picking a fight, and trying to make me feel like a work win wasn’t to be celebrated, because it’s ‘not a ‘a job’ ‘, actually.

I guess perhaps this thread belongs in relationships rather than Work, but I was curious how others use the terminology…

Bit of both really.

If someone who was 'freelance' or a 'consultant' or 'agency' or anyone else who was not an employee of the business, said "they offered me a job" then I too would assume that the person had been offered a permanent contract with the employer.
So, in terms of the terminology, I think he is right.
I would expect a person who freelances to say "Offered me the work" or "offered me the contract".

OTOH, if this is what you have done for 15 years, and if you have always said 'job' it seems a bit strange to be confused now, rather than 15 years ago when he first heard you use it like that.

Good point! Maybe he was looking for an argument?

I’m freelance, and I refer to my contracts as jobs. I didn’t think it was an unusual thing to do!

In that context no difference. And equally to be celebrated

I’d be coming at more from a rights perspective- if you are paid PAYE get sick pay etc, I’d see you as an employee amd call that a job.

Free lance I think more you deal with tax etc but have more freedom to turn down work. So I’d think of you being offered work rather than a job.

I’d probably frame it as ‘gaining a new client’
but the terminology feels secondary. Well done you and congratulations on your success. Your boyfriend/partner sounds a bit intimidated or jelous when he should just shut up and celebrate with you

@Rugbyballhead - indeed. It seems like he was trying to make me feel rubbish about it and spoiling for an argument. There was a big implication that it doesn’t mean as much because it’s a freelance role…even though I’ve been freelance for all this time! Not sure why he thought I’d suddenly change my whole career path and take a full-time role for one company, but he’s claiming he thought that was what I meant by ‘they offered me the job’.

@TerrierCollector - glad it’s not just me!

It could mean either, I use it for both. I have a job working for a contract house and we do jobs for clients.

The phrase "offered me a job" implies employment IME. For what you meant I'd have said "accepted my quotation". So I can see how he misunderstood. But he shouldn't have been arsey about it and in any case should know you weren't looking for employment.

If anything, it’s much more of a success winning a freelance job then getting a permanent job, it means they know your work already and you’ve built a reputation, so please don’t let him ruin your evening. Well done you.

Thanks @ExponentialDelivery and @Wolfpinkola …you made me feel a bit better. What’s seems particularly annoying is there is one specific freelance role this company was recruiting for. Various candidates going for it, I did an interview…and they offered it to me.

To be told ‘but it’s not a job’ when I said ‘they offered me the job’ just seems so obtuse and mean. By his logic, I should tell people I don’t have a job (but do work 🤪).

Whether it’s a job or a contract it’s the same thing: work you will get paid for.
Many people work freelance, from journalists to artists to film actors. Electricians and builders are also often freelance - does he think that’s not a job?

Yes exactly @mondaytosunday . I pointed that out to him exactly. He started saying ‘it’s not a job unless you’re employed- ie regular pension/salary/holiday pay.’ So apparently all the freelance writers, plumbers, actors etc don’t ‘have jobs’ because they don’t work for one company exclusively 🙄

He was being so dickish about the whole thing I gave up eventually, but I’m really annoyed tbh.