The Importance of Being Earnest…About Your Agreements!
This account of a “full-time freelancer” is depressing. After spending 11 years working for a company, reporting everyday, working without overtime and benefits, she was suddenly “let go.” The company got a free ride, availing of her services when they were needed (she worked in the office remember). While she was taken advantage of: 11 years of hard work with limited options (staying tied to a single employer).
The sad tale reminds me of the importance of making sure everything’s clear before at the start. And by clear I mean on paper. Admittedly, I learned this the hard way. Review the agreement between you and your client thoroughly. Feel free to ask questions or for adjustments. The point is to make sure that you’re not committing to something you’re unable/willing to give, or as in the example, getting peanuts for your precious time and skills.
Don’t settle for verbal agreements or handshakes. I still believe that men keep their word. But it’s human to be forgetful. What may seem agreed upon one day may seem ludicrous the next.
The unfortunate victim in the example probably failed to review the “mutual agreement” between her and the company. Or even worse, didn’t fully understand the ramifications of what she was agreeing to. Do you completely understand the terms used in an agreement? If a client hits you with a legalese-laden document, paying for a lawyer’s interpretation is well worth the money. Making sure you know exactly what you get into may save you from a lot grief in the long run.
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POSTED IN: Living as a Freelancer
7 opinions for The Importance of Being Earnest…About Your Agreements!
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