I work at a big 4 (not tech, consulting/accounting) company as a contractor. They recently offered me a FTE role. $40k less pay for 10-20 hours more a week; meaning they expect their FTEs to work 50-60 hours a week for 4/5 of what they'd pay contractors to only work 40.

The work is interesting, I love my team and such, but cannot and will not give up 10-20 more hours to what amounts to just another job. There's no incentive to convert, no justification to work 2500 hours a year for some lousy bonus.

Atleast I get to keep my contract, keep billing my rate and only work about 1960 hours this next year.

I'd say until companies get realastic about hours, expectations and salary it's going to be difficult for them to convert people. I mean, your company makes lets say $100,000,000 in profit this year with what a 50% margin; probably higher with software. You can pay the contractor $200-$250 k this year, but only your staff $160k, or $190k once benefits and all that get factored in. Really? You can only pay $160k for perm and $200k for contractor? ?!? You're a team of like 30, making like $100m

...

So if you'd like a Snr Eng here's what I'd do:

1. Work life balance. Make it so I can do my job in 40 or less

2. Don't take advantage of me

3. Don't make false promises

4. Pay me really well

5. Give me generous time off and benefits

6. Let me work when and where I want

7. Don't ask me to believe in the culture, or give a shit about the mission. I'm not here for the mission. I'm here to do my 40, make a lot of money and enjoy my time outside of my job.