Thoughts

Over the last few days I have been challenged in so many areas of my life, it has provoked some really deep 'and meaningful' thought processes. In the main concerning my life style rather than anything else.
Currently I am being challenged in one of my contracts . I work for myself, the self employed do not have sickness benefits or sudden influxes of government cash if there is a crisis. Quite simply we have no alternate but to stand firmly on our own feet. That is dangerous for us all, particularly if you are starting a new business venture as I am.

So my capabilities where question, not in the standard of my work, but on the 'performance per person pro time', this would impact, is going to impact on my financial stability and I find it quite unethical.
To deliberately entice someone to 'stay online' at a cost of nearly two pounds a minute seems to me, rather blatantly sales versus quality. This however is the status and I am currently below the rate applied to be paid at a premium level. The client, asks specifically for the best, they apply for one of us under the misnomer of Senior Reader . The client actually believes that they a receiving the best person at their work when in actual fact it is not so, it is someone who is good at flim flam, someone who can spin minutes, someone:- taking them for more than they bargained for.
On the surface that is exactly what it is. However their are some factors which are undeniable. All the Seniors are qualified, they are all substantially very good at what they do and very caring in their approach. I have no quarrell with any of this. Just the advertiseing that allows the person applying to be led into a false set of values. They are not 'only' applying to the best, they are applying for someone who is going to cost them so much more than they bargained for.
This has raised some really deep issues for me and as a result I am re-thinking and sorting through my own ethics and standards, can I really work for this type of creative accountancy. I'm not so sure. Money is not the be all and end all in life, it can and should be the foundation of your security re housing and so on, but can I live comfortably here, in this beautiful place at the 'lower' rate of pay or do i live here in good quality luxury at the higher rate of pay...do i make a difference if i make a stand? not really, the customer will pay exactly the same for their service it is my own situation that changes.
Thats a dilemma and a half. I need to find (if there is one) a reasonable association of ethics that allows for this in my mind, allows me to stand by my principles and yet doesn't conflict with my material needs.

That means looking at other contracts and working with them, finding companies that do not practice this way of enticement. I shall consider it. By no means is this whole saga finished. I have other principles I am fighting for here too. I am an expert in my field, I have 40 years experiance and a willingness to work many hours. There will be a reckoning but not yet I feel. It is time to really start thinking.