Comments on: How to Vet That Freelance Writing Gig

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:56:28 +0000

It’s odd how the “requirements” for freelance differ from what’s actually allowable by law for full-time employees. I love those “You’ll be available for 12 hours a day by chat” directives that aren’t paying full-time wages or benefits.

We could go on. There are so many examples, sadly

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:08:38 +0000

In reply to lwidmer. Yeah, and they expect one to move to their area, but on our dime. Nope. If your job is good enough for me to relocate, you'll be paying for the move, thank you very much.

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:52:00 +0000

In reply to Devon Ellington. They're out in droves, aren't they? I had a conversation with someone in email that was very promising. The phone conversation was even more promising. Then in follow-up communication, they wanted me for full time work. Would I be considering a move to their area (which is hundreds of miles from where I live and would rather stay)? That shows a client who isn't good at managing expectations, among other things.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:42:04 +0000

In the last 6 months, 90% of the conversations I’ve had with the person with whom I’d be working directly proved that the job was NOTHING like it had been originally framed by the person who initially contacted me. The lying and the bait-and-switch is out of control. Also, more and more places are trying to get away with not having a written freelance contract. No. Just no. Now is the time we need to be firm on boundaries, because there’s always an excuse. They’re using the pandemic now, but earlier it was “lack of skilled workers” — which was never the case. Next year, it will be something else. They need to stop lying and start paying appropriately for skills.