Brexit

STARR INSIGHTS
STARR INSIGHTS
What does Brexit mean for our special relationship?
Contract vs. Perm: the age old debate
By Scott
Richardson
After the events of the last couple
of weeks it would be easy to get
the impression that the UK is very
much alone.
The much maligned Brexit vote has
sent reverberations around the
world and it would be remiss not to
expect something of a backlash from
some of the world leaders that are,
understandably feeling a little put
out. Picture a party, it is the biggest and most lavish of its
kind and there is a veritable who’s who of attendees. They
have laid out a spread and everyone contributes a dish or
two, a few drinks, perhaps some decorations and each have
their own rooms to manage within the party. There are those
that bring in huge platters and others that are putting more
stuff into doggy bags than they actually brought with them
but they are only called out occasionally because everyone
understands they have a commitment to ensuring all
attendees are enjoying themselves.
So now imagine the coolest, most popular person at the
party has decided they have had enough. They are fed up
with people swanning in and out of their room with no cares,
not contributing enough and generally making a mess. They
are especially fed up with the fact that they are tasked with
giving up the most elaborate, intricately designed food platter
(picture a 10 story Fruits de Mer with fireworks) when it would
be much better as the main event in their own party. So they
are leaving. They are leaving and they are taking all their
trinkets and party bags and canapes with them. Not only that,
upon seeing this flagship member of the party throwing their
toys out, some of the other party-goers are thinking maybe
they would be better off hosting their own party as well.
All in all, you can see why the founding party members are
feeling put out and why the UK is now drifting further and
further into the Atlantic.
Straight into the welcoming, loving arms of our Special
Friends: The US of A. Granted, most of the leading minds
stateside advised us to stay in the EU, apart from one. And
it really doesn’t do them many favours given that a lot of the
major business owners benefitted from Britain’s involvement
in the EU from a trading perspective and all that will need
to be renegotiated and hope that we haven’t thrown the
proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
The general consensus, when asked about Brexit, from the US
has been one of confusion and apprehension. Why would you
take such a monumental risk? Why, in this world of paranoia,
where you need all the friends you can get on an international
level, would you turn your back on the resources of the likes
of France, Germany and so on? Whilst they can definitely
relate to their own exponent of scaremongering, border
control, outrageous claims and thinly veiled xenophobia, they
can also attest to the fact that it is not a foundation on which
to build the future of a country.
There are other benefits to leaving although not many are
reported with as widespread fanfare by the world’s media
as the clickbait friendly one-liners from a Farage or Trump.
If negotiations go well, the UK will once again be masters
of their own fate with regards to the economy. The UK are a
resilient bunch and, if the FTSE and the pound are to be an
example of what’s to come, should come out of this whole
thing stronger than ever and still a genuine ally on the
world’s stage.
One thing that is for sure is that Britain is more in need of a
reassuring slap on the back from our special cousins now
than perhaps ever before. John Kerry has been quoted as
saying that our special relationship is never in doubt which is
great to hear but with both him and Obama suggesting that
maybe this whole Brexit thing should be forgotten about, it
will be interesting to see if the UK does decide to brush it all
under the carpet or whether the potential reward outweighs
the risk and we see the pluck and endeavour that the
Americans have loved about us for all this time to turn this
into a success.
However it plays out, the UK and US have something special.
The key is to use major events like this to strengthen the bond
between us, as we have done in the past and move forward,
arm in arm as leaders and exponents of the free world.
By James
Platt
Here at Harrington Starr we specialise
in all areas of Financial Service
Technology and we break it down
into permanent and contract but
what do people prefer and what
way is the market moving? Contract
employment has become an ever
increasingly popular option for both
employers and professionals working
in the industry due to the individual
nature of a lot of projects, it doesn’t
leave a lot of space for responsibilities beyond the original
requirement therefore negating the need for a permanent
hire and making the more lucrative, short-term option more
appealing. However, as the market continues to grow, the
number of permanent opportunities is also growing and the
contract market is becoming more and more competitive due
to the “hit the ground running” nature of each requirement.
Where a permanent hire could potentially ease themselves
into a role, picking up skills along the way, a contractor will be
expected to have full understanding and impact from day one.
It is not a myth that you can earn much more as a contractor
than you could as a permanent worker, but it’s not necessarily
a given either. A senior permanent worker can earn nearly as
much as a corresponding contractor, but will, in addition to his
or her salary, have a range of benefits that aren’t offered to
the contractor. These can include pension schemes, private
health care, car allowances, professional development funds,
to name a few; however, such roles do tend to be very senior,
and are few and far between as a result.
With every role they take on, career contactors are
constantly adding new skills to their CV. Each assignment
can provide opportunities to broaden a candidate’s expertise
expose them to new businesses and diversify their skills and
knowledge, which will in turn make them more attractive and
employable in future
In many ways, the greatest earning potential that a
contractor enjoys is compensation for the lack of job
security. More effort needs to be invested to maintain steady
workflow, and depending on a range of factors including your
skills, reputation, timing and the state of the economy, you
may find it difficult to secure your next contract.
So overall there are pros and cons to both side of the
market and a lot depends on security, finances and
progression. What can tend to be a deciding factor might
not have anything to do with the role itself, but to do with
life situations. Families, change in circumstance, can all
lead to an emphasis on longevity, job security and the
aforementioned benefits that you only get with permanent
positions. However, others who maybe more prepared, will
look to the lucrative day rates of contracting and develop the
sort of skills that negates the issue of security by becoming
the type of profile that can add benefit to any environment,
save while they earn big and even allow themselves the
flexibility that can be easier to negotiate as a contractor
allowing that circumstantial safety net, if needs be.
Realistically, the only person that can say whether you are
better off in contract or recruitment is you. However, if you
wish to find out more about the contract market and what
options might be live to you, call us and speak to one of our
experts in the space and we can help plan out your career.
Realistically, the only person
that can say whether you
are better off in contract or
recruitment is you.
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