How to get in the mind set of doing what suits you, not what suits the company

antimatterx wrote: »

I work for a small tech company in Dublin. During the summer because of COVID, I was told that I had to sign onto 3 month rolling contracts, or be let go. I took this offer as it was a job, and I didn't want to go job hunting during the pandemic.

However, I'm not enjoying the company and I would like a change. I also want a pay rise, but pay is frozen due to covid, so I would like to look around.

I feel guilty looking around, even though it's in my best interests. I don't know why I feel like this as the company had no issue putting me on 3 month contracts when it was it in their best interests.

Why do you feel guilty looking around ? They were not feeling guilty when telling you that you had to sign onto 3 month rolling contracts, or be let go.

The only loyalty companies have is towards balance sheets, their own interests, no loyalty exists where their employees are concerned.

Look around and if you find something that suits you, grab it with both hands and consign them to history, where it sounds like they belong, good luck.

My company didn't pull any such shenanigans and were quite good to work for in general, but I still didn't feel a smidge of guilt at interviewing for and accepting an offer that came with a ~30% pay rise (more like 66% counting all the bonuses and RSUs) and better benefits. You have to look out for your own interests first, because your employer will be looking out for theirs, not yours; it's just business. Be a decent employee and give your employer a fair day's work as long as you're there, but if an opportunity comes along, don't hesitate over some misguided sense of loyalty to your current employer, and if your current employer starts dicking you around, then get out there and find something better. As you've seen, they won't hesitate to drop you in a heartbeat if they think it'll improve their numbers.

antimatterx wrote: »

I was told that I had to sign onto 3 month rolling contracts, or be let go. I took this offer as it was a job

Some might argue that this is/was a form of constructive dismissal. How long were you in the compay ?

Don't feel bad about looking around. It isn't wrong to say that you can't rely on the rolling contracts to always be renewed, or you want something more stable. Especially if it is rocky there after a year. If you enjoyed the work, the pay and atmosphere was good, then it would be understandable. Otherwise don't feel bad about it. They're not going to spend an extra penny on you while all this is going on, not while you're a contractor.
Focus on getting out of there.