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I contract/consult all the time. I don't see these the same - 1. I negotiate a rate. Sometimes I negotiate a higher rate after a few months. 2. I have frequen

by Nursie 6y ago

I contract/consult all the time. I don't see these the same - 1. I negotiate a rate. Sometimes I negotiate a higher rate after a few months. 2. I have frequently asked for changes to contract terms, usually after a legal review, and had those changes put in place. 3.... kinda agree with you, not sure it's exactly the same as the uber situation 4. The client company can't evaluate my performance in any way they want, at least officially, they get no say over how or when I do the work, how much I am available to work etc. Practically speaking, point 4 is usually something of a compromise, as the client needs me to deliver the work in a timely fashion, and me signing a contract then disappearing for a month wouldn't go down well! But neither would it be good business practice for me.

unishark 6y ago
Your example is not as logically meaningful however. An example of something not being done (i.e., negotiation) can serve as a proof it is not necessary, assuming it was legal. The converse doesn't work. Maybe your experience is with companies who like to do legally-unnecessary things. Large companies obviously don't negotiate as much as small companies. In the US, contracting for engineering has been outlawed to a large degree, so large companies avoid doing it because the penalties are retroactive taxes and fines. And perhaps class action suits from former contractors as well. So it's mainly small companies without "by the book" behavior doing it in software. In other fields, it is completely common however.
- Nursie 6y ago
  I'm not sure why it's not logically meaningful... the parent said that their experience as a contractor was similar to that of an Uber driver, I'm giving a counter-example in myself. > The converse doesn't work. Maybe your experience is with companies who like to do legally-unnecessary things. It's not legally necessary to negotiate a pay rate, but it is something that often happens, usually informally. The point is not that it is necessary but that it is possible - an uber driver cannot negotiate. I can and do. > In the US, contracting for engineering has been outlawed to a large degree Thankfully that's not the case here!

by Nursie 6y ago

unishark 6y ago

Your example is not as logically meaningful however. An example of something not being done (i.e., negotiation) can serve as a proof it is not necessary, assuming it was legal. The converse doesn't work. Maybe your experience is with companies who like to do legally-unnecessary things. Large companies obviously don't negotiate as much as small companies. In the US, contracting for engineering has been outlawed to a large degree, so large companies avoid doing it because the penalties are retroactive taxes and fines. And perhaps class action suits from former contractors as well. So it's mainly small companies without "by the book" behavior doing it in software. In other fields, it is completely common however.

Nursie 6y ago
I'm not sure why it's not logically meaningful... the parent said that their experience as a contractor was similar to that of an Uber driver, I'm giving a counter-example in myself. > The converse doesn't work. Maybe your experience is with companies who like to do legally-unnecessary things. It's not legally necessary to negotiate a pay rate, but it is something that often happens, usually informally. The point is not that it is necessary but that it is possible - an uber driver cannot negotiate. I can and do. > In the US, contracting for engineering has been outlawed to a large degree Thankfully that's not the case here!