Things made more difficult than they should be...

So, a few months ago, you may or may have not noticed that the company I work for was assimilated purchased by Microsoft. I used to work for the empire as a contractor back in 1999/2000 and while working for them isn't bad, the side effects as a contractor I wasn't expecting nor did I relish. A good relationship ruined and no personal life were just a couple of the problems it caused, and no amount of money I was raking in doing it was worth it in retrospect.

Now, let's fast forward to a few years ago when I made the decision to pursue artistic roads in Vienna while still working for a company that I had grown to love and nurtured my artistic and international ambitions by making a concession towards me and allowing me to continue working for them, with the trade-off of making me into an independent contractor. To this point, it has worked out pretty good for both of us.

Back to today. I have no desire to remain a contractor under the jurisdiction of my new parent company and the only reason I agreed to the contractor status in the first place was that my original company did not have an office in Austria. Microsoft does, so I see no reason not to make me a full-time employee again. Not only would it save the company money in overtime and currency exchange fees, but it would save me money in having to manage my taxes on my own and would make me feel more included in an already disconnected work environment. (working out of one's home is nice for the first year or so, but I miss seeing and working with people face to face.)

So, for now I will continue the fight, and I have given myself a time-frame. End of the year. That's when I have to have a decision either way. Failing that, there is a labour crunch here in Austria for Highly Experienced Database Architects/Admins and I am sure there is someone else that would love to have my dedication. All things equal, however, I would rather not go anywhere.