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More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

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Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#31

Post by armchairhacker »

Personally i think “hybrid” jobs where there is more to be done remotely is probably for the best. Some people function best in-person, some function best remotely, so there is the most productivity and worker comfort.

A big issue i see is networking and social life. But those aren’t always good with in-person jobs either, your coworkers could be different than the people you like hanging out with. I think instead we should create more options to socialize and network outside of your job.

Also of course not every job is best for hybrid, but most software dev seem to be. I’ve been lucky to work in places which had some hybrid pre-Covid, and being in person has its benefits (e.g. much easier to communicate and ask for help), but working at home has benefits too (e.g. working productively when you have other appointments that interrupt you during the day)

Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#32

Post by toomuchtodo »

jnwatson wrote: post #24
toomuchtodo wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve been coaching folks on jumping to new jobs for the last several months (helping others level up is my jam). In all cases, when I’ve told them to have the employer put the remote terms in their offer letter (if it’s not in writing it doesn’t exist), it has been done. Most of the time it’s painless, the few times the candidates have been told no I suggested they walk and the company capitulated in under 12 hours a…

That's quite timely advice. That's a very good point.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. You absolutely have to have a BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement, “plan b”, in the event the employer walks away) to operate like this. If you need the job, you have less leverage. Your goal is to maximize your leverage. Best of luck to all seeking new roles, I believe in you!

Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#33

Post by finiteseries »

seoaeu wrote: post #9
mgkimsal wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you get more $ in return... I don't see much downside. People will have to learn to run themselves as a business/contractor, and have a bit more discipline re: taxes. Getting a check for $3000 doesn't mean you can spend all $3000 immediately, etc. If we move in this direction more, we'll potentially chip away at some of the "employer=healthinsurance" mindset that has trapped so many people in less than optimal job…

That's a big if. For jobs like being an Uber driver, the consensus seems to be that you get less money.

There’s a lot of overhead to being an independent contractor period, but they’re definitely not all manual labor who are on the hook for their equipment’s gas, insurance, maintenance, fees etc in “designed markets”

Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#34

Post by mmcdermott »

DoctorDabadedoo wrote: post #18
MattGaiser wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m seeing is a lot for software development job postings in Canada. It is “remote” but you are required to live in the city.

I've seen a lot of bait and switch from recruiters on this recently. Job listing: Remote possible First/Second interview: We would actually prefer this position to be on site.

That's shady, but look on the bright side: the bait is a tell that they know what people want. Usually it's just a matter of time at that point.

Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#35

Post by slumdev »

neogodless wrote: post #16
SQueeeeeL wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Umm, we live in a hell world without universal healthcare. Until that changes bennies are pretty important

Are you saying that you are unable to purchase health insurance in your hell world? I live in the United States, and when I was working as a 1099 contract worker, I bought health insurance for my family for little more than what an employer deducts from my paycheck. It was actually a very nice plan.

> when I was working as a 1099 contract worker, I bought health insurance for my family for little more than what an employer deducts from my paycheck.

How long has it been since then?

What most people would consider "good" insurance costs $1500-2000 per month for a family.

I've never seen an employer chip in less than 50% of that cost.

Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#36

Post by wonderwonder »

SQueeeeeL wrote: post #7
neogodless wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Benefits are just an appealing name given to anything an employer chooses to spend money on instead of paying you that money (and the trade typically works in their favor). Certainly, there are cases where contract employment is offered with pay that does not compete well against full-time employment/salary plus benefits, but that is not always the case. Anecdotally, I've seen contracts done as W2 with benefits, even…

Umm, we live in a hell world without universal healthcare. Until that changes bennies are pretty important

I work as a contractor without benefits. I got a 75% raise over my last job which was w2. I can easily pay for my own benefits, got the bonus of being able to allocate more to retirement via my i401k and can write off a ton of stuff to reduce my taxable income that I would have to pay for anyway working a w2 remote job. New laptop, portions of my power bill, phone bill, internet etc. I think the best part is mental, I no longer care about promotions, office politics or getting recognition from leadership. I just clock in do my work and clock out, if they want me to work more hours that's cool too, I just charge them for it at my hourly rate. I really like it. Your mileage may vary of course.

Edit: Another benefit is health care premiums are tax deductible as long as you are not eligible to go under a spouses employer plan.

Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#38

Post by skohan »

armchairhacker wrote: post #31

Personally i think “hybrid” jobs where there is more to be done remotely is probably for the best. Some people function best in-person, some function best remotely, so there is the most productivity and worker comfort. A big issue i see is networking and social life. But those aren’t always good with in-person jobs either, your coworkers could be different than the people you like hanging out with. I think instead we…

Yeah I have worked fully remote and fully on-site, and both modes have issues.

Also since being forced remote for a year or so, most of my colleagues are happy to be returning to in-person work on an occasional basis

Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#39

Post by wonderwonder »

the_only_law wrote: post #21
disabled wrote: post #2

I also would not be surprised if more American jobs are now hiring people on as contractors only, without the benefits.

Are they offering rates that offset the cost of that stuff? Most contracts I see absolutely suck because they just offer what an equivalent full time roles would with an additional tax burden.

I think it depends on the role. I got a 75% raise when I switched to contracting. I have a year to year contract but everyone else here on the same contract has been here multiple years. I work for a contracting company and they contract me out to a unicorn company. Pay is good, hours are good and when they aren't I get paid OT.

Re: More than 75% of Job Posts are Remote

#40

Post by nickjj »

neogodless wrote: post #5
disabled wrote: post #2

I also would not be surprised if more American jobs are now hiring people on as contractors only, without the benefits.

Benefits are just an appealing name given to anything an employer chooses to spend money on instead of paying you that money (and the trade typically works in their favor). Certainly, there are cases where contract employment is offered with pay that does not compete well against full-time employment/salary plus benefits, but that is not always the case. Anecdotally, I've seen contracts done as W2 with benefits, even…

> but also using the U.S. tax system to great advantage, putting a very large portion of my gross pay into tax-advantaged accounts[0]

Yep, I'm not an accountant but a 401k for 2021 says you can contribute up to $19,500. But a SEP account for 2021 maxes out at $58,000.

A SEP account is something a contractor or any self employed person can contribute to. It's a tax deferred account meaning the amount you put in is taken off your income right now but then you pay taxes on it later when you withdraw it. Like a 401k, the catch is you need to wait until 59.5 years old to touch it. You can also invest it.

Being able to defer an extra ~40k of income every year is a lot. You could take that 40k and invest it. At 0% interest over 15 years that's $640,000, 3% interest yields $828,593 and 5% interest is $989,456. If you took out your 40k / year at 60 years old, you'd be paying almost no tax on it since your income will be $0 since you're retired and your 828k (middle ground of 3%) would last you another 20 years.

Then there's 15 years of not being taxed on 40k of income at a 35%+ bracket which is roughly 14k a year or another 210k (not counting state taxes which are quite high in places like California and NY). Even if you had to pay $10k a year out of pocket for your own health insurance for 15 years you're coming out way ahead.

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