Job security is increasingly important for
IT contractors as the economic downturn starts to bite,
according to research.
Three months ago, 16% rated job security as their most important
criteria when choosing contracts, compared to 20% now - an increase
of a quarter.
The research, by contractor services provider giant group plc,
suggests IT contractors are more concerned about maximising their
amount of time in work as the risk of unemployment rises.
Fewer contractors ranked work-life balance, responsibility and
employer brand as important in quarter three compared to quarter
two of 2008.
The survey also found that more contractors would choose a
longer contract over a high per-hour payment.
Matthew Brown, managing director of giant, said, "A large number
of contractors working in the financial services sector are having
their
contracts terminated or not renewed, as banks skim off
non-essential staff. This has struck a blow to their confidence and
made many of them reconsider their priorities, becoming more
pragmatic about their prospects for the next 12 months."
