I have no doubt that this is not the best choice, but I am interested in the experiences of those who have returned to IBM as a contractor?
This is a bit discouraging, but I would like to look at this option from several perspectives:
Engineer 3- Was able to obtain a few 12 - 18 month corporate contract jobs. After three stressful contract jobs and numerous job searches, he inevitably had a heart attack and died. - @irl+19Njl2fF
FTE's are not treated any better than a contractor IMO.
IBM can terminate all at will employee's at anytime w/no notice.
Chase the $
Forgot to mention:
As a contractor I make it a habit to NEVER have any personal items at the IBM site. I just operate on the premise that the contract can end ABRUPTLY, ANYTIME, AT WILL, FOR NO GOOD REASON by IBM. That way, I have no worries about IBM getting off its rear end to (eventually) ship my personal items back to me.
To address those points.. all from my experience and how I handled them:
Yep- they sure do. When that happened, I just looked my immediate IBM supervisor in the eye and stated "Tell me when my last day is - because I won' t allow it." For some strange reason, I didn't get an hours cut -but the poor contractor slobs around me took the cut.
I actually got that call once - in the evening after business hours - by my contracting outfit stating my contract had been cancelled by IBM. They further said not to return to the IBM site and just mail the I-phone, laptop, etc. back. I steadfastly refused stating I would NOT suffer the time, travel, and expense involved in shipping as I was no longer being paid and that IBM should have (more professionally?) collected those items by close of business that day.
My contract agreement stated that those items had to be returned to IBM upon contract end; it did not state HOW. I was happy to cooperate in returning the items - but NOT at MY time and expense. So I insisted on $$ time and expense - UP FRONT - or IBM would have to come up with a different plan for the return of said items.
A back and forth hissy-fit ensued - but I eventually got a pre-paid UPS shipping carton in the mail complete with at home UPS pickup after about 2 weeks of back and forth b–ching and moaning. So it got done - my way. The only effort I expended was putting the items in the UPS shipping carton - at my doorstep.
I worked with this docile contractor at IBM - just one nice guy. He was technically smarter than I in many ways but he was also getting about $15.00/hour less. And he suffered another $5.00/hour pay cut during his IBM tenure. Luckily, he found a good paying job out of state and left. For some strange reason, again, I was never approached about a pay cut. I had read the riot act to my contracting outfit beforehand; they knew what I'd do. I guess they relayed that to IBM; and some sanity and reason prevailed.
Cons:
These are some of the things I've seen with contractors when I was at IBM
@eih,
100% spot on.
OT and standby pay laws are not adhered to unless you insist and press.
You bend the knee one time and they will continue to c-ap all over you.
Hold your ground, don't work OT or take on call unless they're paying you.
I've done it. The first thing to know is that they will low-ball you. Say no to whatever they offer the first time. The second thing is that IBM, like the Dude (Big Lebowski), endures. By that, I mean that it doesn't change. Ever. A lot of the insanity that would drive you crazy as a sentient being who is employed by and (why, I don't know) cares about the company ... it's still there. Mostly because of id–t FLMs and career building psychopaths.
There is one massive advantage. You never have to do Checkpoint. You don't do "Career conversations" with anyone. So no manager is trying to get you checked off on a miserable HR list. The flip side, as noted earlier, is that you're not really part of the team. I wonder right now how many more tee-shirts I could have to cut the lawn if I were part of the team. I think I'll make it without another "we went to Chipotle Mexican Grill (stock currently worth > 1/3 of IBM) as a team" shirt. Though I do have to change the oil soon, so I may need something clean.
You don't do BCG. But you do have to do a few things like Cybersecuirity. But since you bill by the hours, that's fine. In fact, a lot of awful meetings are fine because you keep your mouth shut and look at your watch and count the pesos. And think quietly, "ah, this is why the company is sinking. look at the money this is costing them."
If they hire you, they need you. Remember that and use it.
I remember those furloughs... no big deal. I did manage to get even once. I took another contract assignment while I was on furlough. I wasn't being paid; the IBM powers that be might decide within furlough time not to bring me back- putting the screws to me. So - I put the screws to them first and got the drop on them. Fair is fair.
There was no fallout. I got several more assignments at IBM in the ensuing years.
As you dish out, so must you learn to take, Big Blue.
Pro - Nothing
Con - You're treated worst than you were an employee. Remember those 4-5 furloughs?
Well OP, here's the skinny. I never worked fulltime for IBM but I have contracted with them over 1/2 dozen times over the decades.
You have to watch yourself with IBM (all clients, really) or you will be taken advantage.
Case in point:
Make sure your consulting contract has an overtime pay rate clause - as in 1 1/2 times your hourly rate for over 8 hours/day; 40 hours/week. IT'S THE LAW. Do NOT fall for the "professional day" c-ap.
That's just an excuse to get excess labor hours from you (where you are 'suddenly' treated as a "fulltime" employee) and IBM not paying for it. You're a PAID HOURLY contractor - so act like one.
If you get s—ered into the "Paid time off/ "compensating time off" scam, you'll be accumulating that as more "mission critical" projects keep popping up and you will have to beg and grovel to use iyour accumulated PTO. Management has a dirty habit of "suspending" PTO/comp-time for projects or for support coverage - been there; seen that. And if your contract ends, you will LOSE that "PTO" . So - Avoid it and get an understanding about payment for excess hours past 8 per day and 40 per week as well as "on call support" and weekend work before you start. Don't ever say "No" to it; but make it clear you intend to be paid. IBM will probably not go for it - in which case, you get to enjoy your weekends as well as have a good night's sleep each night.
If there is on-call and weekend work - that's overtime (BY LAW) and there is actually a schedule (made by IBM but not advertised) for contractor payment in those circumstances.
One annoying thing you may encounter depending on the management boob overseeing you:
IBM often has "feel good" events like afternoon lunches, picnics, house events, etc. Sometimes these management jerks think they are doing the project a service by saying you are not invited - "it's for "fulltime" employees only". I've experienced my immediate IBM management shutting me out; letting me attend on the sly, as well as inviting me outright. I never let any one of those decisions bother me. Let them have their goddamn event. Just give me the money.
Forewarned is fore armed. Stay focused.