owlmoose | Working for a living

I think I've mentioned a couple of times here that I've been working at the same non-profit research organization for a few years now, in a job status that is typically intended to be short term -- for new hires on probation, or going on or off parental leave, or on their way out the door (like to retire or go back to school) but they don't want to give all their projects up just yet, or hired to work specifically on a short term project. I was in that last category when I started, working on two specific projects for three or four months, but people kept finding more work for me to do, and I started looking for more work on my own, and before I knew it I'd been with the organization for over four years with no plans to leave in sight.

And although I've quite enjoyed the flexibility of being an hourly employee who can take time off at a moment's notice, I'm also not eligible for benefits, and we've gotten to the place where we will save a whole lot of money if we can be on my employer's health insurance. So I've requested a change in status, and today it was approved. As of December 1st, I'll be a salaried employee working at 50% time, and I hope eventually to move up to 75%.

It's a good organization, and good work, even if not quite what I imagined doing with my life ten or even five years ago. I get to do research, and hang out with great people, and the organization treats us fairly well as these things go. I'll miss my flexible schedule, but I'm looking forward to paid holidays and being eligible for professional development and raises (I actually got a small one immediately with the status change; most of it will be eaten up by the insurance costs, but our overall finances will still come out ahead overall). So overall I'm good with it, although it'll be an adjustment. As always, we'll see how it goes.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yay! :)

That's great news, good for you.

Yay!!

What does 50% time mean, though? XD

Thanks!

50% time refers to working half time, or 20 hours a week. That's the fewest hours you can work and be eligible for benefits at my organization. If you work between 50% and 75%, you're considered part time; more than that is full time. I'd like to get up to 75% (30 hours/week) because benefits are a lot cheaper, but I wasn't quite able to get that approved. I hope next year sometime.