What Are the Disadvantages of Being a Permanent Employee?

Having a permanent position isn’t generally viewed as a bad thing, but the fact remains that there are distinct disadvantages.

Quality of life, flexibility and career advancement all stand to take a hit the longer you are tethered to one job or position, especially if the economy is going through a downturn.

 

 

Diminished Job Security

As mentioned, the economy and the ebb and flow of sales can adversely affect even the safe, permanent employees. True, you may well keep your job indefinitely, but if you are indeed let go, your options may be limited since that job is perhaps all you do.

Temp workers, moving from place to place, are less susceptible to the ups and downs of the job market, as there is always somewhere else for them to go.

 

Less Pay

While the pay of a permanent worker may not be inherently bad, the fact remains that much of the compensation package is in non-liquid form. Insurance benefits are a prime example, as are company perks such as hotels and rental cars.

This may be fine, but the amount of cash that you take home is diminished thanks to said perks. It’s especially bad if you never find an opportunity to use them.

 

Boredom

Permanent workers often go to the same building, taking the same route and seeing the same faces. This isn’t necessarily a terrible thing, but it can lead to you having the perception of being stuck in a rut. This is especially true if your job is of a dead end variety or isn’t keen on career advancement.

 

Non-Flexible

If you are a permanent worker, then chances are that the job takes precedence in terms of both time and priority. It’s 40 hours of your week, and it’s your livelihood. Even if you have a knack for efficient time management, your outside-of-work options are limited in terms of going back to school, full-time parenting and exploring other interests.

 

Lack of Skill Development

A permanent worker will often find himself relegated to the same task for upwards of years at a time, only learning something new when his boss deems it necessary. This is potentially detrimental in that he isn’t staying sharp on new skills needed to get ahead in the industry he works in.

When it comes time to look for a new job, he’ll be behind the curve, especially in terms of technology. Temp workers’ job assignments are always in flux, meaning that their livelihood is steeped in keeping their skills current.