From Contract to Career
The last page of Straits Times classifieds has been seeing quite a lot of articles being contributed by staff originating from recruitment firms and I have this strong belief that these recruitment firms are possibly hatching some big conspiracy to get people to take up contract jobs instead of trying to land permanent positions. Remember, they do get commissions each time they successfully manage to match people to jobs and with contract staff, they potentially get more chances to earn commissions.
"For many people, a contract job is one that is relatively unstable, comes with fewer benefits and commands a lower pay, compared to a permanent position at the ocmpany. On the other hand, employers also tend to have the impression that contract workers are less committed to their work, and therefore, less inclined to perform well." Is this true? It had been the case in the past and it is still the case today.
In my industry, contract workers do not see the need to deliver quality output. As long as it meets the base requirements and works, they will get their pay. Outsourced work is basically the same thing, it works but when problems occur, permanent staff will have to start tracing into the details and all the slipshod work gets digged up.
Loyalty to a company is a passe concept today. You can think in the best interests of the company and support it strongly, but the day costs need to be cut, departments need to be restructured, whatever loyalty you had amounts to nought. No company is going to be loyal to you. Having this idea in mind, why should any contract staff, knowing they are employed to need the short terms increase in manpower needs, have any commitment to their work and perform well? Just do the basic, get the pay and call it a day.
I am still lucky to be a permanent staff. When things will change for me, I have absolutely no idea but hope my luck holds...
"For many people, a contract job is one that is relatively unstable, comes with fewer benefits and commands a lower pay, compared to a permanent position at the ocmpany. On the other hand, employers also tend to have the impression that contract workers are less committed to their work, and therefore, less inclined to perform well." Is this true? It had been the case in the past and it is still the case today.
In my industry, contract workers do not see the need to deliver quality output. As long as it meets the base requirements and works, they will get their pay. Outsourced work is basically the same thing, it works but when problems occur, permanent staff will have to start tracing into the details and all the slipshod work gets digged up.
Loyalty to a company is a passe concept today. You can think in the best interests of the company and support it strongly, but the day costs need to be cut, departments need to be restructured, whatever loyalty you had amounts to nought. No company is going to be loyal to you. Having this idea in mind, why should any contract staff, knowing they are employed to need the short terms increase in manpower needs, have any commitment to their work and perform well? Just do the basic, get the pay and call it a day.
I am still lucky to be a permanent staff. When things will change for me, I have absolutely no idea but hope my luck holds...
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