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Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

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Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

#1

Post by ritchiea »

I asked this once here before and had some positive responses, it's now been 7 years so I hope it's ok to ask once again as things have changed a lot since then.

I'm a developer and also a writer. I'm trying to consistently carve out more time in my weeks for writing (which unfortunately is not very high revenue!) by looking for part time development work. Are there any companies openly friendly to part time development work? Specifically I'm looking for 80-100ish hours a month as a fullstack or frontend developer but welcome any topical replies so that this can be a useful resource to others as well.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

#3

Post by brudgers »

mtmail wrote: post #2

Add yourself to the 'Freelancer?" thread on https://news.ycombinator.com/submitted?id=whoishiring

I agree.

Freelancing/contracting/consulting is statistically the only way to part time work in professional fields.

One reason is that the basis of a freelance/contracting/consulting relationship is that the freelancer/contractor/consultant is solving the company's problems. But the reason people seek part time professional work is focused on solving their own problems.

I mean it's great that the OP wants to set up their life for writing. But it's hard to expect a software company with no personal relationship with the author to absorb the overhead for that dream...

...the people to ask to support the writer's dream are the writer's readers.

Working as a consultant/etc. means the author absorbs the overhead for their day job. Those costs can be built into the rate.

And of course, 80-100 hours of billable work as a freelance software developer usually entails an equal amounts of billable and unbillable work.

Rates are higher than direct salaries to make consulting/etc. viable.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

#4

Post by ritchiea »

brudgers wrote: post #3
mtmail wrote: post #2

Add yourself to the 'Freelancer?" thread on https://news.ycombinator.com/submitted?id=whoishiring

I agree. Freelancing/contracting/consulting is statistically the only way to part time work in professional fields. One reason is that the basis of a freelance/contracting/consulting relationship is that the freelancer/contractor/consultant is solving the company's problems. But the reason people seek part time professional work is focused on solving their own problems. I mean it's great that the OP wants to set up t…

I'm already a freelancer and posted in the most recent monthly freelance thread.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

#6

Post by bberenberg »

I would totally hire a part time person for 80-100 hours a month if they're highly self motivating and a GSD personality. There are also places like Holland where you can typically get a job and then request to work fewer hours (with a relative pay adjustment) and this is protected by law.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

#7

Post by satvikpendem »

bberenberg wrote: post #6

I would totally hire a part time person for 80-100 hours a month if they're highly self motivating and a GSD personality. There are also places like Holland where you can typically get a job and then request to work fewer hours (with a relative pay adjustment) and this is protected by law.

> part time person

> 80-100 hours a week

Huh? I think this is the opposite of "part-time."

Re: Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

#8

Post by satvikpendem »

I've been looking for something like this and basically, no, not unless you want to be a freelancer or contractor. It just doesn't make sense for companies to hire at part time levels when they can just use contractors instead.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

#9

Post by bberenberg »

satvikpendem wrote: post #7
bberenberg wrote: post #6

I would totally hire a part time person for 80-100 hours a month if they're highly self motivating and a GSD personality. There are also places like Holland where you can typically get a job and then request to work fewer hours (with a relative pay adjustment) and this is protected by law.

> part time person > 80-100 hours a week Huh? I think this is the opposite of "part-time."

Typo, thanks for pointing it out. Edited to month.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any companies friendly to developers seeking part time work?

#10

Post by brudgers »

ritchiea wrote: post #4
brudgers wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. Freelancing/contracting/consulting is statistically the only way to part time work in professional fields. One reason is that the basis of a freelance/contracting/consulting relationship is that the freelancer/contractor/consultant is solving the company's problems. But the reason people seek part time professional work is focused on solving their own problems. I mean it's great that the OP wants to set up t…

I'm already a freelancer and posted in the most recent monthly freelance thread.

I was talking about why companies tend to be disinclined toward staffing part time professionals.

If you are already freelancing, there’s even less of an obvious benefit to a company since it can contract with you without the liabilities that come with employing you.

To me talking to your clients about part time employment seems like a good way to gain relevant information.

Part time professional positions mostly come from personal relationships.

Good luck.

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