However, it seems that there quite a few of those whom Ford has got rid of, but who intend to try to get hired back as contractors in the coming period?
14 replies (most recent on top)
some people go back as contract to get away from wife.
@2nxn - all depends on the agency. Some are happy to pass along the full 1.5x since they're still getting a cut of that and their required profit margin was already met without any OT involved. Others may be paying on salary and will mistreat heads with all that Exempt status involves and allows, however my understanding (~10-15 yrs back) was that if the agencies were paid a higher rate for OT hours put in then they had to pass it on to the worker. That policy was put in place since a little over 20 years ago since the main agency supplying the "web farm" was paying the agency heads 1.5x for OT but charging Ford 2x for the hours.
Man it took a lot of effort to scrap and squeegee all the Ford mud off. Would never trudge thru the Ford mud pit again. Far better to let the current hogs roll around in the mud.
I don't need to work, so if I work again, it will be something more worthwhile and less cut-throat than automotive or IT, something that is rewarding, this was not and never would be. I would never come back.
- 5x OT? Interesting... My agency charges 1.5x to Ford for my OT (I confirmed it with the Agency), but I just get 1X. That's one of the reasons I am never interested in OT.
$105/k for contract is insanely low when you retired from Ford.
I was Agency “GSR 8” applications engineer and was making $95k base plus 1.5x on anything over 40hrs, average $105k/yr. That’s without an engineering degree and previously being a PMA that was tossed over to an engineer group during the re-org in 2019.
I can't come back because I took a package. Don't need to work anyway. As long as you have your health, you have everything you need. I SS and a pension. Yes, I took the pension. You can't buy time.
@1fxu+1kn9wQNF Why limit yourself to auto industry?
The 6 month is to limit a companies downside if you don’t work out.
Nearly everyone I know initially got a 6 month contract from new position. Those that worked out subsequently were offered longer term contract/hired in at higher rates. Those that didn’t work out were released at end of 6 month contract. It is just smart business.
I am returning to Ford in January as an agency employee since literally there was no one left who was trained to take over my job . Since I retired voluntarily at the end of November, I spoke with at least 10 contract companies and there were no engineering contract positions paying more than $105K per year in the auto industry. I am coming back for 10% more than my salary when I left and will be making 1.5X for anything over 40 hours per week. Unfortunately, the norm seems to be only a 6 month contract, so I will take my time training others so I can continue my own yearly contributory pension that I no longer have.
Folks that take retirement buyouts also can't come back. However, all that they need is a VP signature to override that even for SIRP'd folks
I was SIRP'D in August and I wouldn't go back to Ford no matter what. I didn't realize how under paid and overworked we were. I was literally in meetings from 7-5, M-F and still expected to produce what was necessary for the job. 50+ hours a week was the norm, as well as getting phonecalls and attending meetings during time off.
I'm at a new company. They refuse to let you work while you are on paid time off. They buy us lunch all the time. We have team get togethers paid for by the company, no "get your $20 to so-and-so" if you want to attend. I'm making more, working less because the culture here is "no meetings for meetings sake!".
Life outside of Ford is so much better! Even Ford's "perks" are riddled with caveats. Management leases aren't cheap and you have to go to the company garage for service and if there are problems and recalls (and with Ford vehicles there are always problems and recalls!). It's as if Ford purposely makes things difficult no matter what the "benefit" is.
Just like losing extra vacation you paid for when you leave! "Hey we let you buy additional time off but you're screwed if you leave, voluntarily or involuntarily!" What?
You long timers have no idea how much better it is outside of Ford. You are stupid if you didn't take the lump sum and go get another job. Next year you will get laid off in a down economy. Good luck with that!
If Ford you were SIRPed, you can't come back as a contractor. If you retired or quit, you can.
Knowing your job and making it look easy can often be viewed as being a slacker. Work life balance is something that should be valued. Too often did I hear from my workaholic friends that they failed to use all their vacation time. If my old bosses called me tomorrow and asked if I could help out with a project why would I not take them up on it? I had a pretty good reputation of getting things done with little emotion or fanfare.
A wise supervisor once said you are trading time for money. Working for free is just that..
The ones that want to come back are exactly the ones Ford should not bring back.
They are the ones happy with the toxic status quo.
The highly skilled won’t return
@OP. I truly respect your decision, but it is silly to believe that some long term Ford employees, which were comfortable in their positions before SIRP or retirement, would not be willing to come back, especially those who have worked at Ford since graduation.
Now, I believe the technical skilled employees that leave Ford and start in a new company, will NOT be back at FMC. There are better managers, salary and life balance options out there.
To each its own...