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I don't think HN should disagree with me. In fact I think everyone on HN should repeat what I said to everyone they know . Don't take contract work, unless you'

I don't think HN should disagree with me. In fact I think everyone on HN should repeat what I said to everyone they know . Don't take contract work, unless you're absolutely desperate. The reason I was being so defensive though was because I know there are a lot of freelancers on HN. I'm not trying to bash their lifestyles or work choices, just pointing out that taking this kind of work (whether as a software engineer or as a janitor) sets a precedent that encourages employers to further view their employees as red numbers on a spreadsheet to be marginalized and reduced. But thank you for the comment, I get somewhat heated when this topic comes up because it seems like such an obviously bad deal for so many people.

kaybe 9y ago
I wonder how country-specific your advice is.
- Ancalagon 9y ago
  Pretty specific to america. Most other countries don't tie healthcare (and a myriad other social services and benefits) and gainful employment to one another.
  - TimPC 9y ago
    Contract work in Toronto was pretty good, especially with clients from markets with higher cost structures. You still generally want healthcare coverage on-top of the public system in Canada, but you can often get a better rate through either small business groups or an alumni association or other such alternatives. The downside of contract is you work some unpaid hours on the business itself (although you bill every hour you work for a client if you bill hourly, or use judgement on how much to work if you bill weekly). The pay tends to range from above market to way above market but some of that is absorbed by benefits. Taxes tend to be potentially lower in Canada for contract work in Canada depending on your structuring. Trudeau did attempt to change that with a policy to alter how holding money within corporations works so the way you achieve lower taxes does put some of your income at risk of some version of this policy eventually passing.

kaybe 9y ago

I wonder how country-specific your advice is.

Ancalagon 9y ago
Pretty specific to america. Most other countries don't tie healthcare (and a myriad other social services and benefits) and gainful employment to one another.
- TimPC 9y ago
  Contract work in Toronto was pretty good, especially with clients from markets with higher cost structures. You still generally want healthcare coverage on-top of the public system in Canada, but you can often get a better rate through either small business groups or an alumni association or other such alternatives. The downside of contract is you work some unpaid hours on the business itself (although you bill every hour you work for a client if you bill hourly, or use judgement on how much to work if you bill weekly). The pay tends to range from above market to way above market but some of that is absorbed by benefits. Taxes tend to be potentially lower in Canada for contract work in Canada depending on your structuring. Trudeau did attempt to change that with a policy to alter how holding money within corporations works so the way you achieve lower taxes does put some of your income at risk of some version of this policy eventually passing.