With the ongoing shift towards employers using freelancers/contractors instead of employing PAYE workers and employees in the current uncertain climate, we look at how small business owners can get the best out of their relationship with freelancers, for the benefit of both parties.
First you need to be clear why you want to use a freelancer/contractor and don’t need an agency temp or PAYE staff on a casual/fixed term/permanent contract. Ask yourself:
- What sort of job do you require them to do and how long will it take? How many hours do you need them to work on a weekly basis? Be realistic about the timescale
- Will there be an ongoing requirement for the job or is it a one-off, specialised project?
- What level of experience/seniority do you need them to have?
Keep in mind the complexities of employment legislation in the UK, such as the National Minimum Wage, The Working Time Regulations (hours of work, rest breaks and holiday entitlement), the Agency Workers Regulations – none of these will apply if the freelancer is ‘genuinely’ freelance but they’ll apply if they have ‘worker’ status. See our guide to employment status here. This isn’t something you can just decide yourself; it’s subject to complicated legislative and HMRC rules, which mean if you hire someone as a freelancer but they’re not genuinely freelance, your company and the freelancer could face problems later.
If you’ve decided that recruiting a freelancer/contractor is the best fit for the work you need done, recruit in the right places to get high calibre freelancers. Freelancers tend to be found more through networking, recommendations, contacts, online professional networking or freelance job board sites where you can see their experience and references, or through specialist recruitment agencies, rather than through traditional recruitment sources like advertising or high-street temp agencies.
If you actually need to recruit a PAYE member of staff then take a look at our article for small business owners on what employment documentation you need to have in place. Before recruiting, consider the rate you’ll pay them by researching current freelance rates for the job you need done. However, remember all freelance jobs will be slightly different and all freelancers have different experience/qualities/skills/requirements. When you’ve chosen your freelancer (or a small pool of potential freelancers) ask them for a quote for the job then agree a price either for the whole job or for a daily or weekly rate. When you choose your freelancer, be clear what you’ve agreed to and what the ‘work’ entails (i.e. does ‘work’ include attending meetings at your premises, travelling to meetings etc). Put this in writing for clarity. Importantly, you must check their:
- Experience and knowledge thoroughly when you meet them to discuss the job, to ensure they are suitable for the work or project you need them for and they ‘fit’ the culture of your business.
- Self-employment status (or their company structure), to determine if they are genuinely freelance and their employment will not bring HMRC/IR35 and tax/‘worker’ or Employee rights and benefits issues down the line – this can be very complicated, so take advice if you are not sure, from your Accountant or from a HR Advisory service such as The HR Kiosk. Also check if your industry has specific HMRC Guidelines for the longest length of time a freelancer can be employed.
When you meet to discuss the job or proposal with them in depth, listen to what they say, they may have ideas and experience you haven’t considered which your business could benefit from. When you’ve reached an agreement with a freelancer, put a written agreement in place to set out your expectations of:
- What you need them to do
- When and how they will deliver
- Who will provide the equipment/materials to get the job done
- The cost
- How long you expect the job to last.
Some freelancers and employers don’t like a written contract of any description but we would recommend you insist on one to ensure clarity of what has been agreed so there can be no confusion later. A contract does not have to be long and complicated and we can provide this for you cheaply.
If there is no actual contract then at least ensure that all of the above is included in a written email for future reference. Include a clause where both parties can end the agreement early if things aren’t working out, for whatever reason, with a specified notice period if you require. You also need to agree when and how they’ll invoice you for their work (on a weekly or monthly basis or at intervals throughout the job) and when they will be paid. Pay them on time to ensure they’re happy, continue working on your project and will work for you again (consider them as a networking tool who will spread good news about your business if they enjoy working with you). Explain what, if any, business related expenses they can claim. Explain what happens if they’re sick and cannot work with regard to being paid.
Consider also if you expect them to work at your premises all of the time, some of the time or not at all. You need to trust freelancers to complete your work but not constantly under your direct supervision. You’ll also need to consider the current Employment Policies you have for your PAYE staff and what will apply to freelancers working for you. Brief them on what applies when they start work for you, which will include your Data Protection Policy and IT Policy, and is likely to include your:
- Confidentiality Policy
- Conflict of Interest Policy (ability to work for a competitor)
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Equal Opportunities Policy
- Anti-Bribery Policy
- Required Appearance and Behaviour at Work Policy (to staff, customers, clients, third parties).
Give them practical information about your workplace e.g. Health and Safety, company facilities, your normal business opening hours, premises security.
During their assignment with you, ensure you communicate with them throughout their work, have regular briefings to see where they’re at with your project and any changes that have occurred from their or your point of view and if this affects the timescale for completion. Ensure you stay on track of their progress – you’re the boss, and let them know immediately if there is something you’re not happy with. Remember, however, they are specialists, so don’t try to over-manage them – they may give you valuable advice. Also, integrate them into your existing team and ensure the team know what the freelancer is there to do.
So, hopefully success all round!