Moving from FT to Contract Work. Advice?

[monkey]

Hi all! Lurker here. I posted probably almost exactly a year ago about my boss wanting me to be available to work weekends even though it hadn't been discussed beforehand. I got some really great advice that helped put things into perspective. And I made it over a year at the job, so I'm proud! Lol. (I work as a writer/editor and do some management of other writers/editors in a telecommuting position. I've been working for this company in some capacity for more than 2.5 years, but started full-time around 1.5 years ago. I've never met anyone that I work with, despite my full-time status.)

Anyway. Things have come to a head. I believe I have (had?) a great relationship with my supervisor, but she was just on medical leave for a few weeks and I had to work directly for my boss. His management style is SO different, and I didn't handle it well. He contacts me nights and weekends, and I was pretty overwhelmed from covering my supervisor's role on top of the weekend coverage expectations (my direct supervisor has never asked me to work weekends). I got overwhelmed, we had a chat, and it looks like I'm headed back to contract work. I'm pretty pissed, but I realize this situation can also be a blessing in disguise. I can have the ability to do the parts of the job I like without being "on call," and pursue other opportunities (volunteer/work/freelance/etc.). But I have to propose a plan that will work for everyone going forward, and figure out what rates I will accept in a less stable position.

If anyone has been in a similar situation, I would appreciate hearing how you handled it! As a telecommuter, I just bombard my friends and family with my job stress and it hasn't been such a good thing.

Also, how do I calculate rates at this point? Let's say I make $50K/year at this job. The Internet tells me that's equivalent to around $25/hour, but that feels way too low. When I started with this company, I was actually earning a rate that wasn't far from that range, so the salary felt appropriate. At this point, though, I feel like I need to ask for what I actually need. I was thinking of asking for $30/hour-ish, but I feel like that's way too low, especially since they have a track record of me being really reliable and good at my job. I don't want to take a penalty, and I guess I feel like if they want me to stay, they should pay me. But I'm also very aware that they may tell me to fuck off.

Feel free to tell me to fuck off as well  

[monkey]

Thanks! This is super helpful. In my salaried job, I never really got official PTO or vacations (we could take whatever time we need off as long as the work was done! But there was no real policy and the company is tiny so it's challenging). I definitely learned a lot in the year+ I was an employee for the company (plus the time I spent as a freelancer). I just identified some recruiters in the area and will send them my resume.

I think I also like the flexibility of freelance/contracting but I decided to give this job a go. Thanks, @crackhabit and @foodielicious

[sadlebred]

One thing to make sure of in the contracting world is to put $$ into your emergency/living expenses fund in case you have some weeks/months where you don't get 40 hours/week or suddenly find yourself without a contract. I like having a cushion for those situations as a contractor.

[monkey]

Sorry to resurrect a week-old post, but I just wanted to post a weird update, in case anyone cares.

I asked for an hourly rate that seemed reasonable (thank you for the advice!) but my boss flipped out at the number and offered me the exact hourly rate equivalent for my salary (not considering loss of benefits and other value, plus the fact that was my starting hourly rate for straight-up editing when I began working there more than 2.5 years ago). NO THANK YOU. I refused his offer, said I'd be willing to work for somewhat less than the rate I proposed, but basically I would be done at the end of the month unless he came up with something better.

Radio silence for nearly a week, so I've started tying up loose ends at work to ease the transition and looking into new opportunities. Then he calls me today and and says he wants to bring me back full-time, same salary, no expectation of nights and weekend availability unless it's been discussed beforehand. So basically I get the job I thought I signed up for a year and a half ago, so yay?

My supervisor lobbied hard for me to get this offer. I love working for her but I don't trust my boss to respect my boundaries (though at least time they will be in writing). I enjoy the job well enough when she's my "buffer" from the boss, but the last 6 months have been tough on me and it's hard to get perspective.

I don't know what I'm looking for here, but I wanted to follow up and thank you for taking the time to respond to my initial post. I really appreciate it!