Yesterday VP got back to me in regards to my contract proposal. While he's always sooo professional, there was a serious undertone of frustration and tension in his voice. VP sighed before an awkward beginning... "Well... um, well, I guess I will just have to be direct and straight-forward with you..."

CEO instructed VP to pass the message along to me that they are refusing to negotiate. What they offered was their only and final offer. In fact, I got the impression that it actually ticked CEO off that I dare wanted to negotiate, because he also instructed VP to tell me that there might not even be a full 10 hours a week of contract work for me to do, because they're going to farm out a bunch of the work to other freelancers (for a higher rate, no doubt.) In fact, he's going to get VP to do some of the writing... as if he has time for that.

VP, who is a contractor himself, admitted that this is not how contract negotiations are supposed to go. CEOs are supposed to trust their VPs, who work closely with employees, to review their department budget and make the necessary judgment calls. CEOs should not veto their VP's and tie their hands from making sound decisions.

I know it would be very easy for me to accept CEO's first and final offer. I mean, in this day and age when people are scrounging to make ends meet, I should be very grateful that they offered me a rate that is more than I have ever made per hour. (Of course, please keep in mind that I'm also underpaid, and by contracting, I would be giving up my benefits plan -- so the contract fee *should* be more than my regular wage.)

But it's not the money... it's the principle.

Why should I allow myself to be so blatantly disrepected after spending 5 years with a company where I have always been a hard-working and well-liked employee?

Why should I kiss CEO's feet and reward his unwillingness to negotiate by accepting his "take it or leave it" ultimatum -- especially when I know that everyone else is paid much more?

Why should I be made to feel threatened that they'll cut my proposed 10 hours a week and give my work out to other freelancers who don't have the same years of experience with the company or extensive product knowledge?

The fact is, if I knew that they were at least treating me as fairly as my peers, I would HAPPILY work for a fraction of what they offered...

But no, not this way. Not under these conditions.

So I told VP that I would consider CEO's first and final offer -- but of course what I really meant was that I wanted to tell J my decision before I made anything official.

In case it isn't obvious, my answer was thanks, but no thanks.

I would rather make NOTHING, than allow myself to be bullied and taken advantage of.

Yes, J n' I could really use the money... I mean, who couldn't? But my self-respect is not for sale at ANY price.

It's infuriating. It's scary. It's liberating.

It's a lesson I needed to learn.

I have to stick to my convictions now, because someday in the future I will have to do it again, and at least I'll be able to look back on this moment in time and know that I followed my gut and everything turned out alright -- because I know it will.

I emailed VP and Payroll with my decision yesterday evening, and Payroll asked me to call her this morning. She is SO disappointed that I won't be returning and is really angry with our CEO. She even got into a very heated arguement on the phone with HR over it. (HR is CEO's little b*tch.)

Everyone said that I did the right thing. I know I did.

While it's unfortunate that my years with the company resulted in a bitter ending... I have to say that no amount of money could possibly buy the happiness I feel right now.

There is unlimited peace of mind knowing that FakeNameCompany is in the past, and that no matter what other challenges lie ahead, I know that as long as I follow my gut, the future will continue to look bright.