Bit of advice

[Diablos-666]

I'm working for a client at the moment who has shown an interest in employing me directly. I'm not sure what do to.

I work for a small consultancy firm doing quantity surveying. The client is a big Mechanical & Electrical contractor working on the new Westfield Shopping Centre on the Olympic Village.

Yesterday I had a meeting with a sub-contractor with my client present (he's the commercial manager). The meeting went well and I near as damn it saved the client 1/4million pounds.

After the meeting had finished the client wanted a de-brief and basically asked me what my plans for the future were etc... He said he finds me good value for money and I should be asking my boss for a raise. I said I actually got one this month already.

Then, not in so many words offered me a higher salary to join his company. I felt a bit awkward but I didn't dismiss the idea, you wouldn't would you.



So here's my problem:

I like my current employer, they have been very fair to me and I feel part of the team, being a small firm we are quite a close group. However, as I don't actually work with anyone from my company they don't know what I'm capable of and this could be reflected in my salary? They are also limited to what type of jobs / position they can offer me.

The client has seen my work and is happy, he feels he is getting good value (he pays my company ~£60k pa) and can offer me a position i was after. However, I don't really like the company or how they work. You don't feel wanted like I do with my company plus other reasons, but trying to keep this post as simple as possible.

I know money isn't everything but I'm looking to buy my own place in the next few months and a higher salary will help in getting a better mortgage. At my current salary the banks will only lend me ~£140k, living in south London this is not a lot to get something half decent.

At the moment I've had no concrete offers but should I speak to my employer about the above and see what he says.

Sorry it's so long winded. Thank you.

[blindswelledrat]

I think it depends entirely on the offer.
Money definitely isn't everything so if it's the equivalent of a couple of hundred quid a month it's definitely not worth it if you enjoy yourself currently.
If it's enough to make a positive difference in your life though, then I'd say go for it. You're working for the company anyway thus why not be paid more for it?

[Diablos-666]

I do like my company but don't actually have much contact with them. I meet them at xmas, at pay review time and then maybe 2 to 3 times a year.

It's nice moving around job to job, you meet new people go to new places etc... but as I said they don't actually see what work I do. I don't feel like I can progress.

They are only a small firm so could never offer me top money. The client's company is rather large and could offer me more money and a better position.

At the moment my main issue is if i should speak to me boss about it. But then I don't want to seem as chasing the £££.

[blindswelledrat]

You should deifnitely speak to your boss about it.
If they like you (which I assume they do) any boss in the world would infinitely prefer you to talk to them about any worries etc than stew on something and suddenly hand your notice in out of hte blue.

I'd ask for a meeting about your future, just to find out if they have any plans for you, and what you can do to improve your own position for the future.

[Diablos-666]

Well, I did do this last year. I requested a meeting and told them what I wanted to do and what I wanted in the future. They did try and move me, the client kicked up a stink and I had to return 1 day a week (but I was expected to do the same job that took me 5 days in 1 day!)

The other job I was on was meant to kick-off but the main contractor failed to get an order so I had to leave after a month and so I had to go back to the original client full time. Bit complicated, but hope you got the jist of it.

Anyhow, as my company is quite small they need to keep good relations with their client's. So taking me off the job would have caused bad relations and would affect any future work. I could understand this and just got on with it.

When I had my pay review last month, they explained that they are looking for the right job for me but it's a tight market etc... etc... They said they do appreciate me and see me in high regard and gave me a £2.5k pay increase.

So, to go back a month later effectively asking for more money is a bit cheeky.

[zippy3x]

regarding the new offer, do you have a feel for why he wants you?

Is it just to pay less?

I'm going to blatanty make up some figures here, so forgive me if i'm insulting you.

If your current co. charges you out at 60k pa and they pay you say 30k. Is the offer from the client closer to the 30 or 60k?

I ask because if he just wants to save cash and with a project that I presume, will end next year (olympic reference) then you may well find yourself looking for a new job then.

I'd be tempted to offer to work on a contract basis for ~55k - that way he saves some money, has more control and you get paid for the risk you're going to take.

[blindswelledrat]

CHeeky indeed.
I got asked for a payrise recently in circumstances that were a lot more cheeky than yours.
THe 'culprit' did it in completely the right way- acknowledged being embarrassed to ask and that he could be deemed to be taking ht piss under the circumstances, but laid out his reasons for asking followed by making the firm point that he wasn't expecting us to say yes and that he wouldn't be phased in the slightest if we didnt give him one.
We gave him a decent payrise and without a jot of resentment on our part bacause we wanted to, which is the crux of the whole matter.

[Diablos-666]

zippy3x said:

regarding the new offer, do you have a feel for why he wants you?

Is it just to pay less?

I'm going to blatanty make up some figures here, so forgive me if i'm insulting you.

If your current co. charges you out at 60k pa and they pay you say 30k. Is the offer from the client closer to the 30 or 60k?

I ask because if he just wants to save cash and with a project that I presume, will end next year (olympic reference) then you may well find yourself looking for a new job then.

I'd be tempted to offer to work on a contract basis for ~55k - that way he saves some money, has more control and you get paid for the risk you're going to take.

Not offended in the slightest.

Pretty close, I found out my company were charging £250 per day a few years ago when I was earning £30k, I've since had a further 2 payrises, but I still think the company are "only" charging £250 per day still.

I think this goes back to the fact they don't actually know what I'm capable of and so perhaps under charge for me.

I have thought about going contract as you suggested, but I'd rather have more experience / contacts behind me first. It's quite a big step to go on your own so to speak, it has the most potential for higher earnings that's for sure. However, at the moment the industry is looking to employ staff rather than contract staff.

Unless the client offers me silly money i.e. £10k more than what I'm on now (so pushing £50k) then I'll probably decline but it'll be nice for my boss to notice this for two reasons.

1) - The amount someone is willing to give me.
2) - Turning down the offer to stay put.

[Diablos-666]

blindswelledrat said:

CHeeky indeed.
I got asked for a payrise recently in circumstances that were a lot more cheeky than yours.
THe 'culprit' did it in completely the right way- acknowledged being embarrassed to ask and that he could be deemed to be taking ht piss under the circumstances, but laid out his reasons for asking followed by making the firm point that he wasn't expecting us to say yes and that he wouldn't be phased in the slightest if we didnt give him one.
We gave him a decent payrise and without a jot of resentment on our part bacause we wanted to, which is the crux of the whole matter.

That's an interesting post, not too dis-similar to how I feel really. Although in my case I think i'd rather take the higher salary elsewhere than ask for a payrise. I've never had to ask for one and feels a bit like begging / poncing, doesn't sit well with me.

Thanks for the posts guys, it has helped, even just talking about it. It's been on my mind and i havent been able to talk to anyone about it.