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Hypothetically....
After being made redundant at my previous employer after 27 years of service, I got a contract position with a similar co. I've been there on a contract basis since, now entering my 4th year as a contractor.
During this period there have been a number of discussions about converting contractors to staff plus a number of reorganisations, last being in December where both staff and contractors lost jobs. I kept my contract role.
Whilst being a contractor is fine in terms of hard cash, I'd much prefer being in a position with employer pension contributions, ability still to get paid if I'll, medical care, etc and would be willing to sacrifice hard cash for this.
I'm aware of folks retaining contract positions in the new organisation, but having received offers of contract positions elsewhere, tendering their notice and they then have received offers of staff jobs where we are. Others who retained positions have resigned and left for other positions elsewhere too. The industry I work in is becoming more stable/optimistic than it has been fir a few years.
There are also staff positions being advertised in other depts, some of which look interesting and where, after informal discussion with the hiring managers, have been advised to express interest and apply.
The issue is that a staff position ticks mores boxes for me so I whilst I should apply for these internal staff positions, I am concerned that some (current boss) may view this as being disloyal and this may have negative affects - I.e. contract not being renewed. I'm happy in my current role but the tick box missing is staff v contractor.
So, how best to broach this subject with my boss?
In the same way as you have written this ..surely he / she will prefer an honest approach ?
I've been perm and contractor on and off through he last 30 years. I'm now permanent with 25 odd staff working for me (some odder that others), most permanent now though still a mix.
The trend in my industry is to move from contract to permanent as most contractors are long term. The argument is that it improves retention of IP and reduces cost (which is true now that no-one gets a final salary pension).
Decide which role your after. If you want to stay with your current boss, put it to him in terms of saving to him and retention of IP. If you want to move departments, still best to tell him but depending on how siloed work is you could leave it until after first interview.
Good luck.
as a contractor you should be on sufficient money to cover the pension contributions you are missing out on and get health insurance etc and then with some left over to cover the risk etc. Assuming you are not caught by IR35 of course.
But 4 years contracting in the same role takes the proverbial really which is why the government have clamped down on it and the company should be well aware of that.
I have contracted for 7 years now and move around between companies and undertake my own R&D through self funded or grant funded research. Unfortunately it is now very hard to keep doing so as a lot of my clients are public sector and a recent role I have been discussing, despite being paid over 2x the full time rate is actually only a small amount better off at the end of the day after all the deductions and removal of being able to claim travel and living expenses by the client site.
It does sound as though you just need to be honest and ask them. sounds like they want you there and value your input. If they dont take you up on it then it might be worth getting some advice on how to make the money you earn do what you want it to.