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It’s funny how in Sweden it’s exactly the other way around: Coming back as a (self-employed) contractor is like hitting the jackpot, you typically double your p

It’s funny how in Sweden it’s exactly the other way around: Coming back as a (self-employed) contractor is like hitting the jackpot, you typically double your pay. Companies here even have policies to prevent employees switching over to contracting (for the same company). You have to work for some other company for at least a year.

gear54rus 4y ago
Is it because of the tax structure? Care to elaborate?
- bjornsing 4y ago
  I think it mostly has to do with the (over-)regulated labour market. Contracting is a way for people who don’t need job security to get payed more.
slaw 4y ago
In Seattle going as contractor means making $150k instead of $300k. Does contracting in Sweden pay double? $600k? Or as a contractor you make half what Seattle contractor is making.
- crazygringo 4y ago
  I'm not sure we're all using the same definition of contractor then? For the exact same type of work? Contract work virtually always pays much more than full-time on an hourly basis, since now you've got to cover your own health care, social security, and so forth. And then on top of that you're charging more because there's no security. The whole exchange you make for full-time employment is to be paid less than short-term contracts, in exchange for greater stability.
  - slaw 4y ago
    I am talking about the same position as a full time and as a W-2 contractor. You have insurance when on W-2.
    - crazygringo 4y ago
      OK people are definitely talking about two different things in this thread then. There's what you're talking about, W-2 contractors who work through a staffing agency which provides temporary work for lower-skill positions. They are often paid less than full-time but this is usually because they have less skill/experience. An equivalent full-time job often doesn't even exist at the company. And then there are independent contractors (aka consultants) who legally function as their own company, and who do higher-skill contract work. They are paid much more than full-time.
      - slaw 4y ago
        W-2 contractors are the same people who were FTE before. They are not paid less because they have less experience. Please read the article before you comment.
- bjornsing 4y ago
  Actually a contractor is about $150k here too. But an employee makes more like $75k.
- robinwassen 4y ago
  Kind of yes, but the scale of the amounts is a bit different. I quit my $60k CTO job and they paid me $140k to stick around as a contractor. Most $300k is CEO of a large company salary in Sweden. The prime minister earns around $200k.
pyuser583 4y ago
Im betting that Swedens well-regarded social safety net pays a roll in this. if benefits like insurance are unrelated to your job, and there are strong unemployment benefits, contracting would be 1000 times better.

gear54rus 4y ago

Is it because of the tax structure? Care to elaborate?

bjornsing 4y ago
I think it mostly has to do with the (over-)regulated labour market. Contracting is a way for people who don’t need job security to get payed more.

slaw 4y ago

In Seattle going as contractor means making $150k instead of $300k. Does contracting in Sweden pay double? $600k? Or as a contractor you make half what Seattle contractor is making.

crazygringo 4y ago
I'm not sure we're all using the same definition of contractor then? For the exact same type of work? Contract work virtually always pays much more than full-time on an hourly basis, since now you've got to cover your own health care, social security, and so forth. And then on top of that you're charging more because there's no security. The whole exchange you make for full-time employment is to be paid less than short-term contracts, in exchange for greater stability.
- slaw 4y ago
  I am talking about the same position as a full time and as a W-2 contractor. You have insurance when on W-2.
  - crazygringo 4y ago
    OK people are definitely talking about two different things in this thread then. There's what you're talking about, W-2 contractors who work through a staffing agency which provides temporary work for lower-skill positions. They are often paid less than full-time but this is usually because they have less skill/experience. An equivalent full-time job often doesn't even exist at the company. And then there are independent contractors (aka consultants) who legally function as their own company, and who do higher-skill contract work. They are paid much more than full-time.
    - slaw 4y ago
      W-2 contractors are the same people who were FTE before. They are not paid less because they have less experience. Please read the article before you comment.
bjornsing 4y ago
Actually a contractor is about $150k here too. But an employee makes more like $75k.
robinwassen 4y ago
Kind of yes, but the scale of the amounts is a bit different. I quit my $60k CTO job and they paid me $140k to stick around as a contractor. Most $300k is CEO of a large company salary in Sweden. The prime minister earns around $200k.

pyuser583 4y ago

Im betting that Swedens well-regarded social safety net pays a roll in this. if benefits like insurance are unrelated to your job, and there are strong unemployment benefits, contracting would be 1000 times better.