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Typically,
This would be a no-brainer question but I have 2 offers on the table. One is a high paying contract-to-hire job with a very stable large financial company that is very flexible and family oriented. (yucky commute though). The other job is a permanent job with one of the Big 4 auditing firms.
The problem: Everyone I've asked about the Big4 has spoken negatively about the stability due to recent mass layoffs in IT. ( I wont be in IT there though) and the fact that they are NOTORIOUS for working VERY long hours. They average a min of 200 annual OT hours and rate your performance on how much OT you work. I have kids so I am not interested in slaving anymore. Been there done that.
I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place because I am used to having job stability and benefits for my family. I want a perm job but not the ridiculous hours. Work/Life balance is important to me. What would you do?
What makes the commute yucky? Does it take longer?
200 OT hours/year = 10% OT = average of 4 hours/week = average 48 Minutes/day.
If your commute is longer by 24 minutes each way, then the time issue may be a wash depending on distribution. Clearly, I went for a flat distribution in the calculation above.
Typically,
This would be a no-brainer question but I have 2 offers on the table. One is a high paying contract-to-hire job with a very stable large financial company that is very flexible and family oriented. (yucky commute though). The other job is a permanent job with one of the Big 4 auditing firms.
The problem: Everyone I've asked about the Big4 has spoken negatively about the stability due to recent mass layoffs in IT. ( I wont be in IT there though) and the fact that they are NOTORIOUS for working VERY long hours. They average a min of 200 annual OT hours and rate your performance on how much OT you work. I have kids so I am not interested in slaving anymore. Been there done that.
I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place because I am used to having job stability and benefits for my family. I want a perm job but not the ridiculous hours. Work/Life balance is important to me. What would you do?
How long is the probation period and how confident are you that the position is really a temp to hire and not just a temp position.
Contract to hire is risky. They could just tell you "see ya later" at the end of the contract (regardless of your performance) simply because they only needed someone temporarily and didn't want to advertise it as such.
At least with a permanent position, the company normally needs a good reason to fire you.
I have never worked contract to hire, and I wouldn't unless I was desperate.
Yes, I can definitely handle 4 hours extra a week, its just that I was forewarned that they have "busy season" and that estimate could increase during Jan-Mar. The commute to my current job commute sucks because it is about an hour away, requires taking several highways, bi-ways, tolls and bridges to get there.
You're right, the commuting time may wash the extra hours away. Hadnt thougt of it that way. Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJBest
What makes the commute yucky? Does it take longer?
200 OT hours/year = 10% OT = average of 4 hours/week = average 48 Minutes/day.
If your commute is longer by 24 minutes each way, then the time issue may be a wash depending on distribution. Clearly, I went for a flat distribution in the calculation above.
You're absolutely right and thats why I am thinking the extra money may not be worth it in the long run.
Quote:
Originally Posted by statisticsnerd
Contract to hire is risky. They could just tell you "see ya later" at the end of the contract (regardless of your performance) simply because they only needed someone temporarily and didn't want to advertise it as such.
At least with a permanent position, the company normally needs a good reason to fire you.
I have never worked contract to hire, and I wouldn't unless I was desperate.
You're absolutely right and thats why I am thinking the extra money may not be worth it in the long run.
It depends but if you have kids and the benefits are very important to you, I would opt for the perm job immediately with benefits.
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Hadnt thougt of it that way. Thanks! 
