M is for Money

I’ve been pretty smug throughout this recession. When you still have a job and still have money, a poor economy isn’t so bad. It’s the unemployed, the job seekers, who are feeling the pain. I felt secure in my current job and my ability to quickly land a new one. But a couple of things lately have caused me to doubt my self confidence.

I work on a project that should soon start winding down. In theory I then move on to my “home” office in a nearby town, but only if they have work for me. A boss from that office was visiting the other day and he made a remark to the effect that they haven’t figured out what to do with me. For the last few years I’ve done a very narrow specialty because that is what they needed from me, even though my background is more general. I hope I haven’t pigeon holed myself. Time to start reminding them I am more than just X, I can also do Y and Z. But I’ve always had a few back up plans.

Another company has been recruiting me for years, the ace in my back pocket. I don’t particularly want to work for them, but there are worse things in life. That was until yesterday. My assistant happens to work for this other company and yesterday was his annual review, he found out they are putting him on salary. This is bad, very bad. Every hour I am at work is billed to a client, if the job requires 10 hours a day I am paid for 10 hours. How will it work in a salary situation? While certainly you only get paid your salary, are they still charging for the actual amount of work done? It seems someone got clever on how to milk additional profits in our thin margin business. Of course I’m never going there now!

My other plan, starting my own business, is still there in the background. We are in talks with another team, only one of two known to be in the running. I’ve worked with them before and would be happy to do so again. Maybe that will pan out, but I know the capricious nature of my industry and nothing is certain until you receive payment. Either option doesn’t feel as cushy as the job I already have, too bad nothing is certain in this recession.


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