To those who are self employed, could you punch a clock again?
 

I just had a job offer come in. At one point in my life, this would have been sort of a dream job. Union shop, I would have had killer bennies, great retirement package, almost guaranteed job security , and to boot, I know guys who work there, and they said it is the easiest job they ever had.
I just cant do it. I dont think I could ever punch a clock and march for the man every stinking day of my life again. I have not answered to any one in 17 or so years, and really have no desire to try at this point in my life. I sort of enjoy the challenges of self employment.
Have any of you ever closed up shop so to say , and gone back to a real job?? How did it work out??

Have done it in both directions a couple o few times.

My decision is always pretty much based on what is going on in my life personally and professionally.

Sometimes I like and need the freedom, sometimes I like and need the stability.

Right now I'm with a company and it's been nice to not have to worry about payroll and all the other stuff that comes with employees.

Just turned down a "real job" last week... good pay, excellent benefits and would have pretty much been able to write my own job description. Wasn't easy to refuse, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew I couldn't do it

After 20years of self employment it's very unlikely I could ever punch a clock again.

NO


FLIPPIN"


WAY.




unless I had to . . .

+100

I consulted on my own for a few years until one of my clients offered me my current job. I was a sole practictioner so just about every moment of the day was thinking about finding, doing and billing work. I made a lot more money, but now I actually enjoy life more. I'm not union, and I don't punch a clock.

NO way, after 27 yrs, there would be a chance to work for someone else and punching a time clock would never be in the picture.

The pay would have to be enormous, the hours extremely flexable and the bennies would have to be more than just health insurance.

Out on my own for 14 years now.


NEVER would I work for someone again, EVER.

Exactly why Unions are going under. A false sense of job security coupled with laziness.

No, never again.

I've been self employed in one way or another for better than 25 years. work when I want, how I want and charge what I want. get to work when I want and leave when I want. or that's what I tell myself. when I have a job going on, I'm usually working before 7:30-8am and lots of times get home about 7:30/8pm. work at least 1/2 day Saturday and sometimes Sundays. I'll work holidays sometimes just to have something to do. Xmas Day, 4th July, Labor Day.. no big deal.. when you have nothing else to do but sit home alone, might as well go work a while. Now if someone TOLD me I have to be there a certain time/day/hours.. company rules, supervisors, bosses? no fkn way. I work on Johnny time.. I get bored going to the same place every day if a job runs over two weeks. my jobs can be 60-80 miles N, E or W of home and just driving the same direction every day on a job for more than a week gets old. No way could I handle going to the same place, doing the same thing, with the same surroundings, the same people.. day after day, month after month year after year. then you retire and die

I could potentially work in another business, but it would very likely be small and I'd be in an owner/partner/officer position. Been doing the current gig for 20 years and still happy enough to not jump out.

BTW - you still have to worry about payroll when you work for somebody else. It's just that you have less control (and stress) over who gets paid and who doesn't when things get tight. Tends to be a surprise too.

27 years working for a information technology/management consulting firm which allowed me a lot of latitude and provided great experiences. It was almost like running your own business under a venture capital framework. Took an early retirement offer 10 years ago and have been self-employed since and would not go back. I have to say the first 27 years set up the last 10. No regrets having a ball and doing what I love.

I got my general contractor's lic as a young punk in college and never looked back. I don't think I can ever pass the ball. I am the team, so no way. I do work as work as a woodshop teacher at my local high school for 3 hours a day just so I can punch a clock for fun.

Absolutly not. After 25 years my job is still enjoyable. Friends come by to hang out, cutting my productivity but why should I chase them off and do more work. Plus I have no job skil that would make a living in the real world.
Jim

You still won't be accountable.

I guess i could punch a time clock, but it would mightilly suck.

To feed, cloth and shelter my family - yes.

But,

Other than working in restaurants in high school and college - I have never worked for someone else. Corporate America would be a real shock to me.

Nope--I think I'd snap.