Comments on: uninescapable – the uncertainty cost of subcontracting http://scientificink.com/blog/2006/07/20/uninescapable-the-uncertainty-cost-of-subcontracting/ not particularly objective musings on odds and ends - Dunrie Greiling, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:42:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Helene http://scientificink.com/blog/2006/07/20/uninescapable-the-uncertainty-cost-of-subcontracting/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Helene Fri, 25 Aug 2006 18:05:20 +0000 http://scientificink.com/blog/?p=15#comment-28 I beg to offer another opinion on the subcontracting front. With longer term contracts, say 6 - 12 months long, the temporary nature fades away quickly as you realize that you'll be in that place/position for up to 1 year. A sense of belonging begins to arise, as well as a true effort to build teams - after all, you're going to be there for a while so you might as well make the best of it. However, given my current needs in life, the temporary nature of subcontracting gives one a sense of freedom and control, beyond what I could achieve as an employee bound to a particular employer and their set of rules on time off and hours. So, having said all this, I really mean to agree with Dunrie on the effects of the extreme tenuousness of the previous situation, which I too was a part and shared many of the same feelings about it. For me, a 6 month contract is about right - with a 12 month ok as long as the position and team are fun to be with. Those shorter contracts, done by the hour versus the month, are far too difficult to deal with. I beg to offer another opinion on the subcontracting front. With longer term contracts, say 6 – 12 months long, the temporary nature fades away quickly as you realize that you’ll be in that place/position for up to 1 year. A sense of belonging begins to arise, as well as a true effort to build teams – after all, you’re going to be there for a while so you might as well make the best of it.
However, given my current needs in life, the temporary nature of subcontracting gives one a sense of freedom and control, beyond what I could achieve as an employee bound to a particular employer and their set of rules on time off and hours.
So, having said all this, I really mean to agree with Dunrie on the effects of the extreme tenuousness of the previous situation, which I too was a part and shared many of the same feelings about it. For me, a 6 month contract is about right – with a 12 month ok as long as the position and team are fun to be with. Those shorter contracts, done by the hour versus the month, are far too difficult to deal with.

]]> By: Resk http://scientificink.com/blog/2006/07/20/uninescapable-the-uncertainty-cost-of-subcontracting/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Resk Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:27:04 +0000 http://scientificink.com/blog/?p=15#comment-18 From the little we've spoken about this, I'd have to say that your current situation sounds better for your overall mental health than your last job. What you appear to be struggling with this time around is more "normal" work-related issues, whereas previously it was the nature of your tenuousness as a subcontractor. Your position itself is more solid, so you're naturally beginning to dissect other portions of your work environment -- picking it apart, piece by piece -- what doesn't work? why doesn't it work? It seems to me to be completely within your nature to do so. I'm not saying that you're a negativist (if that's even a word), just curious and oft-perplexed. It's the nature of your relationship to work. It's not uncommon. And it's much healthier than MY relationship to work. Witness: http://resk.livejournal.com/173306.html. Now that I've "friended" you, you should be able to read that (provided that you're logged into LJ in this window). Check out the comments. BTW, thanks for the loan of the books. I had already looked at that edition of "Parachute," but am starting to really get into "Now! Discover your Strengths." From the little we’ve spoken about this, I’d have to say that your current situation sounds better for your overall mental health than your last job. What you appear to be struggling with this time around is more “normal” work-related issues, whereas previously it was the nature of your tenuousness as a subcontractor. Your position itself is more solid, so you’re naturally beginning to dissect other portions of your work environment — picking it apart, piece by piece — what doesn’t work? why doesn’t it work?

It seems to me to be completely within your nature to do so. I’m not saying that you’re a negativist (if that’s even a word), just curious and oft-perplexed. It’s the nature of your relationship to work. It’s not uncommon. And it’s much healthier than MY relationship to work.

Witness: http://resk.livejournal.com/173306.html. Now that I’ve “friended” you, you should be able to read that (provided that you’re logged into LJ in this window). Check out the comments.

BTW, thanks for the loan of the books. I had already looked at that edition of “Parachute,” but am starting to really get into “Now! Discover your Strengths.”

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