Saturday, April 20, 2013
Independent contractors: Make sure your contract protects your interests, part II
TechRepublic: A well-written contract helps establish your credibility with a client. It can also be a selling point—you are able to provide a document that shields you both from risk.
In the first part of this series on contracts for the self-employed or freelancer, I outlined how a contract should address scope of work and method of payment. This second article presents additional clauses that should be a standard part of the contract as well.
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2 comments:
This article leaves me wondering if all of the points it mentions about being independent have to apply in all cases- for instance, are there times when the contractor is not allowed to assign a contract to another party? I have worked on contracts with independent parties that have had non-assignment clauses, but after reading this article I am doubting if that was a good decision.
I also find the statement that contractors have more rights than employees interesting. I'd never thought of it that way, but it makes a lot of sense that a contractor shouldn't be able to be fired on a whim or at will like many employees.
I plan on keeping this article (and parts 1 and 3) handy in the future, as they provide some fascinating insite for any projets I might be working on either as client or contractor.
One small part of this article that I think is really important to understand, is that providing a contact is a crucial part of your branding and presentation to your employer. Yes, thoroughness and clauses help cover yourself legally, but making sure that your contract is spelled correctly, easy to read and communicates the information effectively can go a long way with the people who are paying and hiring you. Every piece of paperwork, email or interaction you have, is a reflection on your persona. It's important to be cognizant of that - especially when dealing with the legal logistics. It can be one of the most tricky conversations, so it helps to seem pleasant and flexible, while still protecting yourself.
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