Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Need Advice


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 285
Date:
Need Advice


My employer and I are currently discussing options for me to continue working when we begin full-timing next month.  I was hoping to possibly stay on at 50-75% because I would still receive partial benefits (medical,dental) although I would lose my employer contributions to my retirement account.  They are not sure they can do this unless they found somebody willing to replace me part-time (unlikely).  So they are considering the possibility of hiring me on an hourly basis.  Is there a rule of thumb as far as what I should ask for if they pay me per hour?  Does it seem reasonable to add to my salary the amount they currently contribute to medical, dental, insurance, retirement, and paid-time off and figure out what it comes to on an hourly basis.  Do I try and add extra for overhead (internet access, computer upgrades, regular backups, etc....) or is that pushing it? 
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Colleen



-- Edited by pierreandcolleen at 05:33, 2008-05-31

__________________

Are we there yet?
http://www.colleenandpierre.wordpress.com/



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 327
Date:

Hi Colleen,
You probably need to hear from somebody who is actually doing this on the road... Having said that, I would certainly start high and negotiate down. I work fulltime from home (not on the road yet - sigh) and my employer pays for my home office expenses (up to $50/month for internet access and all of the cost for a VoIP office telephone), as well as other miscellaneous non-travel expenses. That's a lot cheaper than what it would cost them to provide an office space for me somewhere. Telecommuting to the workplace is getting to be very common. I can't see anything wrong with factoring in the value of health insurance either when computing an hourly rate... Once you agree on an hourly rate, that would be a fixed number... Employer-paid health coverage on the other hand goes up and up every year (ever noticed how your contributions from your paycheck go up every year, copays go up, and the coverage isn't quite as good as it was last year?). It's all negotiable, and you'll never know what you could get unless you ask.



-- Edited by Tim & Robyn at 05:07, 2008-05-29

__________________
Tim & Robyn


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 544
Date:

Colleen,

Try www.salary.com

There's lots of good information regarding salary rates by area and different job classifications. And tips for negotiating salary. Don't know if they have anything aimed at road warriors/ work kampers but some of the contract employee tips may help.

I currently work as an "at will" contract employee and negotiated a higher salary because I didn't require health benefits. Those are covered by my retirement package from my first career.

Another source for wage info is here:
http://www.gpo.gov/davisbacon/
It's a little difficult to use but has wage rates that include markup for overhead such as benefit packages. These are the wage rates used by companies wanting to do business with the federal government. It makes for a good guideline in negotiations.

Like Tim & Robyn said start high and negotiate down. They must like your work otherwise they wouldn't be discussing a flexible work situation. In today's job market it's easy to find someone to do a job. I just saw an article where a company posted an ad for a job and recieved over 5000 applicants....within the first week. They were overwhelmed by the response and resubmitted the ad with much tougher requirements and still recieved over a 1000 resonses.

Good luck....

__________________
Larry
"Small House, Big Yard "
7 years to go to FT
Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe Pickup


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 527
Date:

Colleen, it's been a while (long while) since I was in the same position. In those days the rule of thumb was to double your hourly rate in order to cover your self-employment tax (you'll be paying both halves of your social security), cover the federal witholding, general overhead, etc.

I did this at three separate times with three separate employers and they still felt they were saving money at twice the hourly rate. Just be sure to keep receipts for everything and get a good accountant for your taxes.

Oh, I was a computer specialist....various positions.

__________________


Donna & Stu (& Sadie, too)
2 Taking a 5th ~ Sadie Speaks ~ Fire Lily ~ ToadilyPets



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 152
Date:

My employer tripled my salary on an hourly basis, but without benefits (insurance, vacation,etc.) I was able to continue to contribute to my 401K during this time. This was a fairly short termed arrangement while continuing to train my replacement, about 6 months.

-- Edited by Tylersamma at 20:28, 2008-05-29

__________________
2006 Alfa Gold DP (Big Al)
2008 Saturn Vue (goes where he's toad to)


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 285
Date:

Thank you all for your input.  It is very much appreciated. 

-C

__________________

Are we there yet?
http://www.colleenandpierre.wordpress.com/

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us