Just about everything in business has changed in the past five years. Instead of needing physical spaces, most new companies now operate online. Instead of face to face service, social media is now the first port of call. And, instead of hiring traditional staff, many new entrepreneurs are on the lookout for a distributed workforce.
It’s easy to see why. There’s a variety of benefits for using freelance workers when you’re starting out. For one, you don’t have to pay out on sick days, or holidays. Plus, you don’t have to worry about office space, and all the costs which come with it.
But, some business owners have been falling into the trap of thinking that they can use and abuse their freelancers. While there’s nothing illegal in that, it’s not advisable. As much as you aren’t bound by rights when it comes to these guys, nor are they bound to you. Mistreat them, and you’ll soon lose good employees.
To ensure you don’t do the same, it’s worth taking some traditional employment routes with your freelancers. We’re going to take a look at what they are.
Can’t beat a contract
Contracts may seem opposed to the prospect of ‘freelancing’, but they’ll serve you well. We often fall into the trap of thinking that a contract is all about hours. And, in a way it is. The hours are, of course, usually outlined. And, the signature at the bottom is your employee’s agreement to work them.
But, that’s not what a contract is about. A contract is simply an agreement between two people. It lets both know where they stand and adds professionalism and trust to the relationship. Hence, it will be good for both you and your freelancers.
A set payment date
Payment with freelancers is a clouded issue. Many employers opt for freelance workers to make payment easier. They pay from invoice to invoice, and don’t have to worry about set dates or large sums.
But, if you’re looking for a freelance workforce with staying power, you should stick to a traditional payment method. If you chose freelancers to avoid the stresses of a set pay date, you could always advertise for a payroll supervisor with a company like Portfolio Payroll. They’ll be able to take care of the issue for you. Or, give it a shot yourself using software such as Quickbooks. Either way, the stability of this will make the job much more appealing to workers.
You should provide continual work
Many decent freelancers fail to make a go of things because they can’t find guaranteed work. While all employers like the idea of clicking their fingers whenever it suits, it’s not practical. If you can’t offer continual work, your employees will have to go elsewhere. They have bills, after all. So, you should attempt to provide them with a steady stream of income. If it helps, cut down a large team to one or two workers. That way, the work won’t be so thinly spread.
