RE: Looks like I'll be freelancing again

Subject: RE: Looks like I'll be freelancing again
From: "Brierley, Sean" <Sean -at- Quodata -dot- Com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 09:38:00 -0400

Hallo and good luck!

I sorta wish I had the same opportunity. I want to try freelancing but, with
a family, house, etc., am afraid to cut the ties myself.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Katherine Noftz Nagel [SMTP:katnagel -at- eznet -dot- net]
> I was called into my boss's office this afternoon. RTE "has
> re-evaluated the way it handles documentation, in the light of the
> current economic situation, and has decided that it would be in the
> company's best interest to continue our relationship on a freelance
> basis".
>
> In two weeks I get my last paycheck as a full-time employee. No firm
> commitment to how many freelance projects they plan on, of course, or
> to a specific pay rate. <sigh>
>
I recommend you iron out a specific contract with a rate and a minimum
number of hours for which they retain you. Rate is location specific, but
you have an advantage over veteran contractors in your area because you know
your company's product specifically.

Also, this is a hardship for you. I recommend you ask for the hardware and
software you need to do your job be given to you as part of the severance.

> It isn't clear whether I'll be
> eligible for unemployment benefits, either, since I haven't actually
> been laid off, just 'reclassified as an external resource' (whatever
> that means).
>
As others have mentioned, talk to a lawyer. You are going to need one,
anyway, because you'll have to incorporate and become an employer, pay
taxes, etc. These are expenses you should try to pass along as part of the
severance agreement.

NOTE: There is no reason you should not ask for what you need. Again, over
other contractors, you *specifically* know your company's product, that
makes you more valuable, not less so. This is your company's choice, not
yours, so do not undervalue yourself. Get a written agreement for transition
expenses, including the legal fees you need, and transfer of the tools you
need to your ownership. These should be things considered already by that
those who decided it was cheaper to have you contract.

Of course, it could be they are trying to lay you off on the cheap and
really do not want a contractor.


Cheers,

Sean
sean -at- quodata -dot- com

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

*** Deva(tm) Tools for Dreamweaver and Deva(tm) Search ***
Build Contents, Indexes, and Search for Web Sites and Help Systems
Available now at http://www.devahelp.com or info -at- devahelp -dot- com

Sponsored by Cub Lea, specialist in low-cost outsourced development
and documentation. Overload and time-sensitive jobs at exceptional
rates. Unique free gifts for all visitors to http://www.cublea.com

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.


Previous by Author: RE: A wee story for you...
Next by Author: RE: Query for Screen Captures
Previous by Thread: RE: Looks like I'll be freelancing again
Next by Thread: Re: Looks like I'll be freelancing again


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads