Is it possible to survive working seasonally/temping/shortcontracts in the long term?

tpx111

I'm wondering if it's feasible to be a serial short-term contract worker in the long term?

I'm 41, managed to save for and buy (no mortgage) a house in the good times. I'm single and have no children, no rent, no mortgage, so I've found that even when working crappy min wage jobs the past few years I have plenty money to survive on. I don't, however, have a private pension.

After working a few min wage jobs since the good old days, I recently landed a well paid job. The problem is, being single, and being that most of my friends have settled down, I live a pretty isolated, lonely existence. The only thing I really look forward to is going to visit family abroad.

I think I'd be much happier if I could work 8 or 9 months of the year here, even on min wage, and spend a few months of the year over with my relatives. But I'd really want to know what I'm doing before I quit the 1st decent job I've had in a while.

Does that sound feasible? Does it sound mad and a bad idea? I think back when times were good it would have been pretty easy to find a job at short notice, maybe not anymore? Are there agencies that would cater for people who are specifically looking for short term contracts? I'd just be worried about leaving jobs of my own accord, doing that a couple of times would probably not look good. All of my work experience is in Production Operator/Warehouse roles if that makes any odds.

CelticRambler

I'm a few years older than you, but otherwise in a similar situation - effectively single with no "at home" dependents, house bought-and-paid-for. I only work short-term contracts - half way through a three-week stint today in Alsace, next one is 10 days in the UK, then two weeks in another part of France, then back to the UK for three weeks ... It suits me just fine: I get to meet family as and when I want (and where - Ireland, France, Germany, UK) and can organise time off to suit my own interests.

I've prepared my CV in such a way as to offer myself specifically as a gap-filler with all the experience necessary to step in without any training, something that's very much in demand in my line of work. Contrary to what my careers guidance teacher said decades ago listing all my short stints in different places has been a selling point - potential employers are reassured that I can do what I say. I had seven different requests to work the second half of this month, some of which were very attractive locations (the money's always the same) and it was hard to decide which six to turn down.

But ... there's nothing to beat the feeling of coming home to my own house; and being always on the move means that the only long-term relationships you have are with family. I have a relatively niche leisure interest that means I regularly meet the same people at events all over the country, but these are fairly superficial friendships, and there are times when I miss having a good old chat with someone who already knows my life history.

And even though I really enjoy travelling to/around and working in faraway corners, I am setting aside some of what I earn for a specific longer-term project, with the intention of "settling down" again as soon as that's under way. I don't believe our generation can count on having a decent pension, so I'm making my own (very) alternative arrangements.

Then there's always the unexpected spanner in the works - the someone you meet in the wrong place at the right time who makes you wonder how the feck you're going to re-write all of your plans to include her ...!

tpx111

tpx111 wrote: »

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I think I'd be much happier if I could work 8 or 9 months of the year here, even on min wage, and spend a few months of the year over with my relatives. But I'd really want to know what I'm doing before I quit the 1st decent job I've had in a while.

Does that sound feasible? Does it sound mad and a bad idea? I think back when times were good it would have been pretty easy to find a job at short notice, maybe not anymore? Are there agencies that would cater for people who are specifically looking for short term contracts? I'd just be worried about leaving jobs of my own accord, doing that a couple of times would probably not look good. All of my work experience is in Production Operator/Warehouse roles if that makes any odds.

In Cork the likes of EMC take temps on for 6 months I think and let them go for a few months and hire them back again. I know a chap on that cycle for a few years.

I think what might suit you is a 4 cycle shift role somewhere that's open 24/7 ........... when you take your time off wisely you can effectively have over a week off for 24 hours holidays, you can do that 6/7 times a year. No go if you want a few months off at a time of course.

If you can manage away on minimum wage jobs I wouldn't be overly worried about having no private pension ........... the tax relief on the marginal rate of tax on pension contributions can be eroded by fees etc over years.

I'd try and save a small few quid so you have some cash for retirement though.

If the job you currenytly have is decent though would you not consider knocking 5 ish years out of it and save as much as possible. With a decent wedge in the back at 46 and your house situation as it is now you'd be in a decent place financially.

tpx111

@CelticRambler. It sounds like you've got it licked! I would guess it's an easier thing to do if you've got a decent skill, like a software developer or something. Do you mind me asking what line of work you're in?

Augeo wrote: »

In Cork the likes of EMC take temps on for 6 months I think and let them go for a few months and hire them back again. I know a chap on that cycle for a few years.

I think what might suit you is a 4 cycle shift role somewhere that's open 24/7 ........... when you take your time off wisely you can effectively have over a week off for 24 hours holidays, you can do that 6/7 times a year. No go if you want a few months off at a time of course.

If you can manage away on minimum wage jobs I wouldn't be overly worried about having no private pension ........... the tax relief on the marginal rate of tax on pension contributions can be eroded by fees etc over years.

I'd try and save a small few quid so you have some cash for retirement though.

If the job you currenytly have is decent though would you not consider knocking 5 ish years out of it and save as much as possible. With a decent wedge in the back at 46 and your house situation as it is now you'd be in a decent place financially.

I'm in Cork myself, so thanks for the EMC tip! I know Apple also do similar, but are much less dependable by the sounds of it. You could be there for a week, left go, and then called back again the week after. Impossible to plan anything working in that place I'd say.

Staying where I am for a bit and saving up would probably be the wise thing to do, you're right. I'd definitely take my time deciding what to do.

tpx111

tpx111 wrote: »

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I'm in Cork myself, so thanks for the EMC tip!.........

Depuy Synthes (J&J plant) in Ringaskiddy would be worth a look too. I think Flexsource look after the temp production folk hiring there.

Depuy took over one of the previous Pfizer plants a couple of years ago so they have two facilities down there now, I think they generally take folk on for a good few months at a stretch, 6, 12, 21 month type thing. They used to have a weekend shift where they'd get temps in for 2 or 3 shifts over the weekend, rest of week off but they could call you in for another shift midweek. Decent cash and work isn't too bad.

tpx111

Augeo wrote: »

Depuy Synthes (J&J plant) in Ringaskiddy would be worth a look too. I think Flexsource look after the temp production folk hiring there.

Depuy took over one of the previous Pfizer plants a couple of years ago so they have two facilities down there now, I think they generally take folk on for a good few months at a stretch, 6, 12, 21 month type thing. They used to have a weekend shift where they'd get temps in for 2 or 3 shifts over the weekend, rest of week off but they could call you in for another shift midweek. Decent cash and work isn't too bad.

Thanks for the tips, that's actually really useful. It's always good to know which agencies deal with which companies, especially the pharma ones!

tpx111

tpx111 wrote: »

Thanks for the tips, that's actually really useful. It's always good to know which agencies deal with which companies, especially the pharma ones!

Depuy Synthes aren't pharma :pac:
They are part of J&J but are a medical device plant, they make orthopaedic hips and knees for joint replacement surgery

When I said they took over the Pfizer plant that might have sounded misleading, I should have said they took the building, all the pharma equipment etc was sold off