In my experience it really depends on the company. Do they want a full time person in your role? If so they will probably not want a contractor (especially if it means you will not be there as often since you would/could be working elsewhere.) Of course they may say "great, we could use you one day a week" or something to that effect. I would just say be prepared for the worse, you are changing jobs essentially. Are you prepared for what you will be doing 6 weeks after that 6 week gig? In contracting we have to always have things lined up, my friend and I used to work by word of mouth and that kept us busy enough. Initially you will need to be prepared for some "low times" where you are not working, save some money and be prepared. Start trying to line up stuff now. As for what your current company will say, I think that is a hard thing to answer since my friends and myself have experienced different responses.

Good luck to it.

If you aren't in direct competition with your current employers line of work, maybe just be honest. If you are going to be in direct competition... well you get my drift. The outfit I work for now (I did consulting on my own for 2 years) wouldn't stand for it and I don't blame them for being of that mindset... plus I'm better off anyway.

I starved my first 6 months of consulting and at the end had so much work I couldn't keep up with it (16 hour days get old fast). All word of mouth, but it took time and busting ass. Save $$$ and get as many credit cards as you can and then make a break maybe... that is, if you will be nibbling at your current bosses profit margin. Otherwise I think being up front and polite about wanting to make your own way etc... might be the way to go. You know your boss better than I do so it's just a suggestion.

Good luck to you.